...when I remember You

            upon my bed,

and meditate on You

  in the watches of the night,

for You have been my help,

and in the shadow of Your wings

                I will sing for joy.

My soul clings to You;

Your right hand upholds me.

                    Psalm 63. 6-7

(David wrote this psalm

when he was struggling

with life and death situations

           in the wilderness,

being pursued by his adversaries.

No wonder he could not sleep.

What nudges us awake in the night?

         How do we respond?

Seeking only to get back to sleep

   or buried alive in worry and fear?

Or seeking God even in this?

Listening to Him in those moments,

praying to Him,

remembering His strength,

meditating on His Word,

pushing back the darkness

   by singing a new song of joy,

and clinging only to Him

   not to circumstances.)

O LORD,

Even in the quiet moments

  of half past darkness,

You are here with us.

May we rest in You fully.

May we listen to You

    with a renewed heart.

Whatever amount we sleep,

    make it enough, O God.

When we awake in the night,

    rock us in Your Presence.

Help us to turn to You

and not let fear and anxiety

              in the door.

May our sleep be sweet.

May our time with You

              be strengthening.