Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
I Pray the Lord, my soul to keep.
His Angels watch me through the Night
and keep me safe ‘til Morning Light.

I don’t know how old I was when I stopped saying this simple bedtime prayer. Today, my prayers are usually free-flowing, more like a conversation than a recitation. Maybe that is part of the transition the apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote, When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11(NIV)

We need to mature as Christians. At the same time, Jesus’ words remind us we need to be child-like in our relationship with God.“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

Having a child-like relationship is especially important, as we move through the coronavirus pandemic. It is reported that an increasing number of people are reporting sleep problems—either sleeping too much or having trouble getting a restful night’s sleep. The forced isolation related to stay-at-home orders tends to amplify anxiety and depression. Concerns about our health—both physical and economic—make it difficult for us to, as it were, put our fears to sleep.

The pandemic has all of us searching for answers to questions that, for now, seem to have no answers. Perhaps, it’s time to ask new questions. Rather than allowing the virus to dominate our thoughts and dreams, maybe it’s time to become like little children and ask our Father in heaven how He wants us to navigate these troubling times.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

During this pandemic, we are searching for someone we can trust. Of course, Proverbs 3:5 points us to the One whom we can truly trust.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight

Try something this evening; say the children’s bedtime prayer. You might sleep a bit better if you could become like little children…, and trust that God’s angels will indeed guard you through the night…and through the coming days.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Authors – YOUR HEART IS AN OPEN BOOK: Finding Answers in God’s Word.