Sleep
God never sleeps, and neither do our bodies and subconscious minds. We may be unconscious after we fall asleep but our brains will still be processing everything that happened to us during the day and we can still hear and be affected by our sleeping environment. How can we commit our sleep to God so that our sleep will be restful and refreshing?
(See Chinese versions: 简体中文 > 睡眠 | 繁體中文 > 睡眠)
A prayer before we sleep each night
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for creating me and giving me life through Your Spirit. Thank you for being good and faithful, and for watching over me and all of Your creation 24/7.
John 6:63 ESV It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Psalm 121:1-3 ESV I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Father in heaven, the Bible says my sleep will be sweet when I put my trust in You and follow You. You set apart the godly for Yourself and ensure that those who honour and obey You will sleep in safety and in peace.
Proverbs 3:21-24 ESV My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Psalm 4:3-5,8 ESV But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord… In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Before I sleep, I would like to clean my conscience and my body so I can rest in Your care. Holy Spirit, is there anything I have done today that has defiled my mind, heart, or soul? Have I sinned against Your and against others? Please show me so I can repent and be washed clean. (Please wait and listen to what God has to say)
Where there are people I am angry with, I confess that I feel (please vent to God and tell Him how you feel.) I pour out my anger and sorrow before You. You are my Witness and Judge. I will lay down their offences at Your feet because You are the One who judges them, not me. I choose not to sin and repent of judging or cursing them, or wishing them ill. This is evil in Your sight and defiles my spirit and my sleep. I will not give the enemy a footold.
Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
Have I exposed my eyes, my thoughts, and my heart to the things of this world that enslave me to the schemes of the god of this world? Holy Spirit, please convict my heart so I can ask for Your forgiveness and cleansing. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and I belong to You.
Matthew 6:22-23 ESV “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
I cut ungodly spiritual ties to any person and anything that has been defiling, and ask for the Holy Spirit to please purify my mind, heart, and body. In the name of Jesus Christ, I command all unclean spirits to leave me and leave my room immediately and not to come back.
Father in heaven, I dedicate my sleep to You, please keep me safe and peaceful for Your glory.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”