We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you (Psalm 33:20-22 NIV).

Do you sometimes have sleepless nights? You do everything to get to sleep but it just doesn’t come? What’s your remedy? I take magnesium, because I read it helps calm nerves and relaxes us. There’s  melatonin. I avoid caffeine after lunchtime. Yet sometimes, I still can’t sleep at night. I used to blame it on my situation. I always slept fine until my husband, Bill passed away. After that, I often tossed and turned. But I’m not alone at night any longer and some nights, I still struggle with sleep. Occasionally, I have things on my mind that might disturb my sleep, but not always. So, during those times that I toss and turn, where my thoughts wander about any and everything, I pray. Or sing old hymns. Or quote Bible verses. Sometimes they help me drop off to sleep. But other times, I’m just awake. Now that I’m retired, I console myself that I can take a nap the next day. But at the time, all I really want to do is sleep!

This morning, as I read a devotional, the writer recommended we re-write the above passage in our own words. So I did. Here’s what I wrote:

I wait in hope for you, LORD. You are my hope and shield. My heart rejoices that I can trust in you. May your love rest on me as I put my hope in you. 

It’s pretty simple, isn’t it? We wait. We hope. We rejoice in our trust. 

I challenge you to look up the passage in Psalm 33:20-22 in whatever translation you choose. I chose the NIV, but there are many to choose from–and write out that prayer in your own words.  Then, remember it when you can’t sleep. That’s my plan.

 

“Lord, next time I can’t sleep, please help me remember to wait, hope, rejoice, and trust in You! Amen.”

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Here’s a song to enjoy–and maybe reflect on when sleep is not there…