Late-Night Prayer Sessions |
Editor's note: Emily Ley's new book Near the Night is a perfect read especially for those of us who struggle with sleep. These meditations on God's peace and rest will help you turn off your worries and remember God's goodness. Enjoy this excerpt: * Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. — Philippians 4:6 NIV Every day for a year, I woke up at 2:42 a.m. It was this weird occurrence that had no rhyme or reason, but it happened at exactly the same moment and kept me awake for at least an hour. My life those days was a blur of diapers, baby schedules, conference calls, and "Please advise ASAP" emails. I wasn't alone for more than a few minutes once the kids went to bed because I'd pass out as soon as my head hit the pillow. In the beginning, I mentally thumbed through the pages of the proverbial book of Things I Am Worried About, Didn't Finish, Forgot to Do, or May Never Do that lived in my head. I need to change the oil in my car. I wonder if Brady has a cavity? That ache in my elbow is back... could it be (insert terminal illness)? I should cook more meals at home. My children may grow up to be totally damaged because I don't love to cook. Every night was a "beat myself up" session. But then I started bringing those things up in prayer rather than ruminating on them. And things started to change. Instead of loathing those interruptions at 2:42 a.m., I gave my worries to God. I wondered if He was giving me that inner 2:42 a.m. alarm as a blessing. I began to fall back to sleep, waking up with a more peaceful heart; and eventually, the 2:42 a.m. inner alarm disappeared. What have you been anxious about lately? During times of high stress, bring your thoughts to God. |
|
| In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. — Psalm 4:8 |
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. — Psalm 4:8 |
| |
A Prayer for Your Dreams Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! — Psalm 34:8 Tonight, I hold you in prayer and wish you an evening of rest and rejuvenation. I pray your dreams are whole and intact, that they're as lovely and calming as the sound sleep that finds you. May their colors be vivid and beautiful, like art come to life. May the cast of characters be beloved friends, lost to the sands of time, and family venturing back to this side of Heaven, just for a night. May their voices be soft, and may the background music be soothing. I pray your dreams are filled with mended fences, blooming friendships, and hopes come to life. Or back to life. And most of all, I pray each one brings a smile to your face when you wake — a reminder of the sweet and the good in years past, and a hope for the days to come. Are your dreams reminding you of a worry or a hope you've pushed deep inside your heart? Is something rising to the surface, interrupting your rest? Give God the good and the worrisome before you head to sleep tonight. Scriptures for Your Evening The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. — Psalm 121:5-7 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. — Psalm 4:8 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. — Proverbs 3:24 I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. — Psalm 3:5 He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. — Psalm 121:3-4 Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7 |
Excerpted with permission from Near the Night by Emily Ley, copyright Emily Ley. * |
|
|
Are you rolling around at night unable to sleep? What if God is using that time to encourage and strengthen you? What if instead of worrying, you gave every anxiety to Him and spoke scriptures to rest in? What would change for you? ~ Devotionals Daily |
|
|
Put your anxieties in their place and bring peace to your soul. |
Near in the Night: 100 Evening Meditations on God's Peace and Rest |
|
|
+ Free gift with purchase! | Why is it that when the lights go off our minds start racing? We stew over what we could have done differently that day. We think about details we're afraid we'll forget in the morning. And most of all, we worry. Small anxieties as well as huge fears come alive when we're exhausted and trying to sleep. This 100-day devotional will put your anxieties in their place and bring peace to your soul. In this unique evening devotional, bestselling author Emily Ley shares her own stories and struggles, invites you into contemplation, and brings you back to the unchanging comfort found in the Bible. Near in the Night includes practical ideas to make your evenings calmer along with pages for taking notes, making lists (so you can stop thinking about those to-dos!), and journaling your personal reflections. Each of the 100 devotions will help you: - Turn off your worries and regrets at night
- Remember God's goodness in an uncertain world
- Develop a grace-filled evening routine so you can sleep well and wake up refreshed for the day ahead
|
|
|
FREE bonus with every purchase at FaithGateway |
Get a FREE star chart celestial map and 60 Bible Verses about Stars printable with every purchase of Near in the Night. |
*Your free bonus resources will be delivered via email immediately after purchase |
|
|
Take a look inside Near in the Night |
|
|
This devotional is perfect for: - Anyone looking for uplifting biblical readings for those stress-filled evening hours
- Fans of Emily and her Simplified brand
- Christmas, New Year's, Mother's Day, birthdays, and graduation
Pairing biblical wisdom with Emily's simplicity expertise, Near in the Night reminds us that God is always faithful and ever near, even in the darkest of nights. |
|
|
Check out Emily's companion 100-day morning devotional, Sure as the Sunrise |
Do your days often feel unpredictable and chaotic? Do you wonder if what you're doing each day really matters in the big picture? Could you use some calm and peace in your life? In this 100-day devotional, you'll experience inspiration and reassurance that God's mercy, delight, and provision are as sure as the sunrise--and ready to greet you each morning with hope and joy. Reading Sure as the Sunrise is like having coffee with your best friend each morning. With vulnerability and relatability, bestselling author Emily Ley shares her own stories and struggles, while also giving you permission to stop and check in with yourself--how are you doing, really? Every five days of devotions are separated with additional space for personal reflection and journaling. If you are the type of person who loves starting your day with a planner or Bible in hand, this is a wonderful tool to add God's delight to your days. Or, if you need help creating a morning routine to put more calm and joy in your day, this book can help you do it. This devotional is perfect for those: - Looking for a fresh start
- Struggling through hard times and needing reminders that God has not forgotten you
- Trying to transform your morning routine
- Searching for God in the sacred, ordinary moments of life
- Wanting to start your day with God
- Seeking reminders of God's perfect consistency, faithfulness, and mercy when the world is uncertain and unpredictable
|
|
|
The FaithGateway Annual Early Bird Christmas Sale is happening now! Explore exclusive, once-a-year discounts on inspirational books and gifts for the Christmas season. Spread the spirit of Hope and Joy and save BIG. Enjoy incredible savings of up to 55% off must-have gifts and exclusive bundles. Act quickly, some items are in limited supply - scoop them up while you can! |
|
|
this devotion with someone who needs it today |
|
|
*Sale price ends on 10/31/23 at 11:59 PM. Limited quantities available. Sale pricing excludes ebooks and audiobooks. Free Standard Shipping for U.S. orders over $35 excluding Alaska and Hawaii. *eBook and audiobook purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose. Please note that: - To access your eBooks, you can download the free Glose app or read instantly in your browser by creating a Glose account using the same email address you use to purchase the eBooks.
- eBooks fulfilled through Glose cannot be printed, downloaded as PDF, or read in other digital readers (like Kindle or Nook).
- For more information about how to access eBooks purchased on this site, click here for our FAQs.
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment