Night prayers

"He (God) will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel (Zimbabwe) will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121:3, 43

     Have you ever written little notes in the margins of your Bible? If not, consider doing so. Since my childhood, I find jotting down these simple notations extremely helpful. Like so many others, I sometimes forget past lessons learned about God's loving care and presence in my life. My faith is greatly encouraged when I come across such handwritten notes, for those brief words bring back floods of memories.

     Such was my recent experience with God while reading the Psalms. There in the margins of my Bible were little notes, marking times of danger, exhaustion, great change, personal upheaval and stressed moments from years past. Those faded pencil and ink notations revived many memories when worry and anxiety prevented sleep. My mind would be racing a mile a minute with thoughts that refused to be stilled, or I would wake up with nightmares from real or imaginary dangers.

     With so many troubles in Zimbabwe, perhaps you share this experience of sleepless nights, as you worry about the future. If so, consider the practice of evening prayer. This is a very old Celtic practice, traditionally offered as the last thing at night. Liturgically, it is known as the Office of Compline, using familiar psalms of protection combined with prayers of love and trust, as sleep calls our name. These evening prayers provide rest for body and soul, bringing peace with God and others. Psalm 121 lulls us to sleep, secure in the knowledge that God is watching over us.

     Nighttime can be difficult, especially during times of uncertainty and danger, pain and hunger. Darkness brings the vulnerability of fear, loneliness, doubt, frustration and exhaustion. Our minds are often full of many unanswered questions that keep us awake for hours, robbing us of much needed rest, as we worry and fret.

     Prayer before going to bed can be a great blessing, reminding us of God's gracious, protective and sheltering care. Such simple prayers can be the perfect end to the day, helping us confidently enter into the sleep. We can snuggle into the arms of the One who watches us all through the night.

     God is with you, in waking and sleeping, each day and each night. Let us close today's meditation with this Celtic blessing: "May the Lord bless and keep you and your dear ones this night and every night."

     Prayer: O God, bless my sleep tonight, secure in the knowledge that you are lovingly watching over me. May I awake, deeply refreshed with a strong sense of your dear presence. Amen.

Written by Rev. Dr. Sandy Bochonok
http://soulfoodministry.org
September 25, 2002
Permission is given to freely distribute this reflection throughout Zimbabwe.