Getting A Good Night’s Sleep
I really need a good night’s sleep in order to function properly during the day. I’ve read up on what to do practically to help with sleep such as having a good bedtime routine, turning off devices an hour before bedtime, a light snack etc, but as I was reading from the book of Psalms this week, I realised that one Psalm gave some really good advice on getting a good night’s sleep. Psalm 4 is known as an Evening Psalm.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. v8 (ESV)
David, the psalmist, is confident that God will hear his prayer. “Answer me when I call…Be gracious and hear my prayer!” (v1) “…the Lord hears when I call to him.” (v3)
Suggestion 1
Sometimes when I try to settle down to sleep, the worries of my day, anxiety about the future, concerns about my loved ones, can fill my mind and stop me from sleeping, even though I am tired and physically ready for bed. But rather than letting these things occupy my mind I can do what David did, and cry out to God. I can pour out my heart to God and have confidence he will hear my prayer. By talking it through with God rather than holding onto them in my mind I then find it easier to fall to sleep.
Suggestion 2
Sometimes there are other strong emotions which hinder our sleep, such as anger (mentioned in v4). It is possible to be angry and not sin, but we need to do the right thing with this emotion. Talking to God about why we are angry and handing it over to him can help us to deal with it and also enable us to fall asleep rather than allowing our anger to consume us.
Suggestion 3
“…ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.” (v4) or meditate on God and be still.
When I read this verse it reminded me of the spiritual practice of Examen which was developed by St Ignatius. The Examen prayer is a good prayer to pray at the end of the day as you prepare to settle down for the night.
If you don’t already know, Monastic Retreats have come great practical resources to help you learn more about Examen.
Suggestion 4
The final verse of this psalm, v8 is this:
In peace [and with a tranquil heart] I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety and confident trust. (AMP)
It is knowing the peace of God and trusting in him which helps us to sleep at night. We can know with confidence we are safe in the arms of the God who never sleeps, who is always watching over us. Whatever we are going through right now, God can give us the peace which passes all understanding and which allows us to fully rest in him. You might like to pray a prayer for peace, or, for example, pray Psalm 23 as you settle down each night.
My prayer is that as you have read Psalm 4 and today’s devotional you will have found some helpful tips to practice for yourself which will help with getting a good night’s sleep.
To Think About:
- Read Psalm 4 when you go to bed.
- Practice praying the Examen Prayer
- Which of the four suggestions do you think is the best for you?
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