My Cure for Sleeplessness
If you are a Mom you have experienced a sleepless night. Guaranteed. Whether sleeplessness was from waking to care for a sick child, or worried for a teenager who missed curfew you’ve been there and done that. What did you do to overcome the anxiety and knock-on physical depletion from an unwanted all-nighter? I used to drink copious amounts of coffee. Then I tried a regimented night-time routine for everyone in the house. (That lasted for about a week) Lastly, I got some really powerful advice from a friend and a pastor. My cure for sleeplessness was going to battle in prayer.
I want to share with you how I pray during different “sleepless” events.
Sickness
It’s 2 AM and you hear that familiar whine, “Mom. Mommy...Mom!” The voice sounds weak and pitiful but it is like a siren ringing in your brain that something is terribly wrong. You sit straight up in bed and rush to find out what is wrong. “Mommy, I don’t feel good.” You place the back of your hand on their forehead and sure enough you know it’s a fever. You then carry out all the necessary checks and precautions to ensure this is not hospital-worthy, just a sleepless night. You dose, comfort, swaddle, rock, and try to ease your poor little one back to sleep while you sit upright either in bed, a chair, or the couch as you watch midnight tv. However you slice it you are not likely to get much rest. NOT SO FAST! Pray this prayer over your child and yourself.
“Lord Jesus, you are our healer. In the power and authority of Jesus Christ, I speak to the body of my child and I command healing. I bind infirmity and I loose healing power. Father God, give us both rest so that our bodies can be restored. May this night’s sleep be multiplied in our bodies no matter how many hours we can rest. By the morning, I ask that my entire household is well. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.”
Now this is no guarantee that your child will be 100% better but pray this prayer every time they wake up, you give them medicine, or they throw up. Prayer changes things.
Night Terrors (your child)
There is nothing worse than to suffer through a sleepless night because of the threat of “monsters” under the bed. My mother is a saint because I suffered with terrible night terrors well into my late teens. My own children began to be plagued by similar dreams that would stir them in the middle of the night. However, I was not about to let them struggle for most of their childhood. I taught my children how to believe in the power of their prayers and the truth of God’s word. I would have them recite the following scripture.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
When they first began saying the scripture they were timid. I encouraged them to say it like they meant it. Then I would tell them to yell it so loud the devil could hear them. While this was disruptive for the rest of the house at first it was very effective! My kids would shout, “GOD HAS NOT GIVEN ME A SPIRIT OF FEAR!” I would also teach them that Jesus and his heavenly army were standing at the ready if anything threatened to harm them. I would pray a prayer like the one below over them.
“Lord Jesus, we thank you that you love us. We thank you that you conquered death and you are all-powerful. No monster or horrible thing can come against your mighty army. You are God and you are big. Jesus, please be with my child right now and comfort him/her. I pray that your spirit of peace would reside here in their room. Nothing is allowed in this room except the Holy Spirit. Everything and everyone else you must leave in the name of Jesus.”
That last bit I might exaggerate a bit and open the closet or look under the bed and say, “You have got to go, goodbye. Don’t come back, you are not welcome here.” I never would say there is nothing there...simply you are not allowed to be here. I would remind my children whose they are and who is watching over them.
Anxious Thoughts
As my children have grown I don’t wake up as often with sick or scared children. However, the anxious thoughts that threaten my sleep have increased with their age. I sat up with thoughts of accidental death plaguing my mind. I have been roused to awake thinking about abduction or abuse. I even wake up thinking horrible thoughts about adultery creeping into my marriage. Anxious thoughts are conniving thieves. Don’t let the downward spiral of midnight madness keep you from resting.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
When I am assaulted in my mind at night I speak the verse above over me and pray a prayer like the following.
“Lord Jesus, help my anxious mind. Worry is a lack of trusting in your divine power and authority over my life, my family, and my marriage. I give ALL my life over to You. In the name of Jesus I replace the terrible thoughts and images with life, peace, wholeness, and freedom. Guard my heart Jesus. I receive your peace at this moment. Settle my spirit so that I may rest.”
Sleeplessness is terrible. It can ruin your night and the following day. Don’t be robbed of sweet sleep. Even if you don’t use my exact words to cure your sleeplessness, I know that going to battle in prayer will help. What causes your sleeplessness? How do you overcome it? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Mucho Love,
