Prayers of the Christian Insomniac

Prayer of the Christian Insomniac

Sometimes I find it hard to sleep. My body is wired from too many thoughts or too much caffeine. It’s two in the morning and all my worries and fears loom large. This is the time it seems when I am weakest and most vulnerable.

One night I prayed in the following manner and got relief. Perhaps it will help you in some wee hour of the morning. You need not memorize it, and turning on the light to read it wouldn’t exactly make you fall asleep. I think you will get the idea.

Lord, here I am. There is nothing I can do about the things that weigh on my mind, so I turn them over to you. Deal with the things I cannot change.

My body lies here unable to sleep. So, I offer this body to you as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to you.

May these toes not kick too hard against the goads, but may I always be ready to follow you where you lead. May I not strike them against a stone and stumble to my harm or the harm of another.

May these feet of mine be shod with the gospel of peace. Don’t let them stray on a wrong path. Lead them not to temptation. Do not let them run to evil or the shedding of blood.

May these legs be strong under the weight of whatever cross you’ve given me to bear. Let the knees of my resolve be strengthened. Let my legs stand for Christ, and not be moved from the precious faith through which your grace has saved me.

Let the private parts of my body be used only for honorable purposes. Do not let them be inflamed with passions I cannot control. May they be under the authority of a sanctified mind and heart. Forbid Lord that they should cause injury to my soul or to the conscience of one of your people. Remind me that my body belongs to you and to my spouse and to no other. Make me holy.

Do not let my seat sit in the seat of scoffers. Do not let me sit too long when you call me to service. Keep me from idleness and sloth.

Let this stomach of mine be subservient to my soul and not the other way around. Feed me not only with my daily bread, but with every word that proceeds from your mouth. May my stomach never become my god. Help me to restrain appetites but also rejoice in the good gifts that you have given me under the sun. Thank you for the grain, the vintage, and oil that sustain life.

May my heart be wholly yours. Keep my heart from every idol. Do not let my heart be addled by fear or hide sin and ill motive from you. Create in me a clean heart, oh Lord. Renew a right spirit in me. Let my heart fill with the joy of the Lord. May it be full of love for you and your children. Do not let it be divided in its loyalties, but make it fully yours to serve you without admixture. I confess my heart is desperately wicked and deceitful. Forgive, and give me a heart of flesh to feel every impulse of your Spirit.

Let my arms bear the burdens of the weak. Remind me that my arm is short and my strength little, but the arm of the Lord is not shortened. Let my arms comfort those who grieve and lift up those who are laid low. Open them to the poor.

May my hands serve willingly to any kingdom purpose. May they hold fast to the hand of the Lord at all times and bless those who need a tender touch. May they be swift to open the pages of your word. May they serve the Lord but never the evil one. Sanctify them to your use alone, oh Lord.

May my shoulders bear your well-fitting yoke. Let them know the joy of soreness from a full-day’s work not the brokenness of serving a harsh taskmaster. May they bear the cross you’ve given and carry the full load you intend for them. May they be there for the tears of a suffering brother or sister.

May my neck never become stiff to your will or your word. Keep me from arrogance and pride. May I offer my neck to the block if that be my end with courage and certainty of faith. Let it be held high when others bow to golden idols.

May my head be crowned with the victor’s laurels when my race is finished. Remind me that every one of my hairs is numbered.

Keep my mind fixed upon you. Let me think like a Christian and not be conformed to the pattern of this world. Let my mind be as the mind of Christ who humbled himself and took on the form of a servant. Shield my mind from the traps of the evil one. Keep it from self-pity and self-loathing. Teach me be single-minded for your kingdom.

May my ears give heed only to your call. May I never listen to gossip or slander. Incline my ear to you and your precepts. Let them be quick to hear. Make them ready to listen to him who needs a friend.

May my eyes not look upon that which is forbidden or see such as pleasing. May my eyes see the work to be done, the opportunities to serve, the good that I have and the blessings before them.

Let my mouth and tongue be subject to a sanctified mind and heart. May your spirit keep a seal upon it from hasty and idle words, especially from any word that wounds one for whom Christ died. Keep it from filth, lies, coarse jesting, or from cursing man who was created in God’s image.

Now Lord, this body that is already yours, I yield to you for rest. Grant it sleep so that it may serve you with all its energies, as you give it strength.