{"id":9080,"date":"2020-02-29T22:45:41","date_gmt":"2020-02-29T21:45:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=9080"},"modified":"2021-10-28T09:55:03","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T07:55:03","slug":"a-good-nights-sleep-inspirations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2020\/02\/29\/a-good-nights-sleep-inspirations\/","title":{"rendered":"“A Good Night’s Sleep” inspirations"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nDo not try to cover more than one good day\u2019s journey at a time.\n<\/div>\n

Ann Siddal<\/strong>, from #15<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In July\/August 2019 I decided it was time to address my struggle to go to bed on time, and I foraged for Bible verses and prayers to help me turn over a new leaf, writing them up in a little booklet I made. <\/p>\n

My struggles also inspired a song to share with a group of creatives who might also be trying to do too much and regularly miss out on the benefits of A Good Night’s Sleep<\/em><\/a>. (Follow the link for the lyrics and a recording).<\/p>\n

I’m still struggling to go to bed on time, but during this Lenten season I hope to make it my daily practice, drawing on my collection of Bible verses and prayers for inspiration, and maybe adding a few more entries. <\/p>\n

I share this resource with you, aware that our struggles with sleep may have different causes but a good night’s sleep will benefit us all.<\/p>\n

 
\nPlease feel free to share your own inspirations in the comments.
\n <\/p>\n\n

#1<\/p>\n

We can rest,
\nwe can sleep,
\nwe can say no to this activity or that invitation,
\nwe can quit the exhausting work of trying to sustain ourselves,
\nbecause You never slumber or sleep.
\nYou are faithful always.<\/p>\n

O my soul, praise the Lord.<\/p>\n

~ by Grace Olsen Claus<\/strong>, posted on re:worship<\/a> (excerpt)<\/p>\n\n

#2<\/p>\n

I lie down and sleep;
\nI wake again,
\nbecause the Lord sustains me. <\/p>\n

~ Psalm 3:5<\/p>\n\n

#3<\/p>\n

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
\nfor you alone, Lord,
\nmake me dwell in safety. <\/p>\n

~ Psalm 4:8<\/p>\n\n

#4<\/p>\n

In vain you rise early and stay up late,
\ntoiling for food to eat –
\nfor he grants sleep to those he loves. <\/p>\n

~ Psalm 127:2<\/p>\n\n

#5<\/p>\n

My soul finds rest in God<\/p>\n

~ Psalm 62:5<\/p>\n\n

#6<\/p>\n

May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us;
\nestablish the work of our hands for us –
\nyes, establish the work of our hands.<\/p>\n

~ Psalm 90:17<\/p>\n\n

#7<\/p>\n

All the lands are at rest and at peace;
\nthey break into singing.<\/p>\n

~ Isaiah 14:7<\/p>\n\n

#8<\/p>\n

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
\nwill rest in the shadow of the Almighty.<\/p>\n

~ Psalm 91:1<\/p>\n\n

#9<\/p>\n

Return to your rest, my soul,
\nfor the Lord has been good to you.<\/p>\n

~ Psalm 116:7<\/p>\n\n

#10<\/p>\n

This is the resting-place,
\nlet the weary rest –
\nthis is the place of repose – listen.<\/p>\n

~ Isaiah 28:12 (adapted)<\/p>\n\n

#11<\/p>\n

In repentance and rest is your salvation,
\nin quietness and trust is your strength.<\/p>\n

~ Isaiah 30:15<\/p>\n\n

#12<\/p>\n

I am saying this for your own good,
\nnot to restrict you,
\nbut that you may live in a right way
\nin undivided devotion to the Lord.<\/p>\n

~ 1 Corinthians 7:35 (taken out of context, but still valid)<\/p>\n\n

#13<\/p>\n

There will be no rest day or night
\nfor those who worship the beast and its image …<\/p>\n

~ Revelation 14:11<\/p>\n\n

#14<\/p>\n

Lord, you put twenty-four hours in a day,
\nand gave me a body which gets tired and can only do so much.
\nShow me which tasks you want me to do,
\nand help me live prayerfully, as I do them.
\nSharpen my senses that I may truly
\n    see what I am looking at,
\n    taste what I am eating,
\n    listen to what I am hearing,
\n    face what I am suffering,
\n    celebrate the ways I am loved,
\n    and offer you whatever I am doing,
\nso that the water of the present moment
\n    may be turned into wine.<\/p>\n

~ by Angela Ashwin<\/strong>, from The Book of a Thousand Prayers<\/a><\/em>, #262 <\/p>\n\n

#15<\/p>\n

In the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims, go now …
\nConsider how you may simplify your days,
\nso that you may travel lightly.
\nBe alert to all that could side-track you:
\nnotice that which beckons alluringly,
\nor with apparently greater urgency,
\nthan the pilgrim journey Christ invites.
\nDo not try to cover
\nmore than one good day\u2019s journey at a time.<\/strong>
\nKnow when to stop for food and sleep,
\nso that the journey will not be too great for you.
\nWalk humbly, knowing that the goal
\nis not recognition, achievement or reward,
\nbut simply to have come to know Christ
\nand yourself more intimately.
\nBe on the lookout for other pilgrims,
\ncaring for those who limp, or fall;
\nthose who cannot see the way forward:
\npilgrimage is richer in community.
\nGo now: place your hand
\ninto the outstretched hand of Jesus Christ,
\nallow the words of the story to guide you,
\nand pray for purity of heart and mind. Amen.<\/p>\n

~ by Ann Siddall<\/strong>, posted on re:worship<\/a> (adapted)<\/p>\n\n

#16<\/p>\n

God with us in our restlessness and wakefullness,
\n    give us your rest.
\nGod with us in our sleep and calm,
\n    give us vision of newness.<\/p>\n

~ by Meredith Holladay<\/strong>, posted on re:worship<\/a> (extract)
\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Do not try to cover more than one good day\u2019s journey at a time. Ann Siddal, from #15   In July\/August 2019 I decided it was time to address my struggle to go to bed on time, and I foraged for Bible verses and prayers to help me turn over a new leaf, writing … Continue reading ““A Good Night’s Sleep” inspirations”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13,3,36],"tags":[179,178],"class_list":["post-9080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible","category-prayer","category-word-study","tag-inspirations","tag-night"],"yoast_head":"\n"A Good Night's Sleep" inspirations - 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When our load is heavy and too much to bear, yours are the arms stretched out to help us the grace\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snowdrops_2026.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snowdrops_2026.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snowdrops_2026.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snowdrops_2026.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16529,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2025\/08\/12\/strange-but-true\/","url_meta":{"origin":9080,"position":1},"title":"Strange but true","author":"Irene Bom","date":"August 12, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 TO PONDER 'Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial. We actually progress by means of trial. We do not know ourselves except through trial, or receive a crown except after victory.' by Augustine of Hippo \u00a0 from Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/snail_suspended.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/snail_suspended.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/snail_suspended.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/snail_suspended.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1238,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/06\/25\/word-study-shema\/","url_meta":{"origin":9080,"position":2},"title":"Word study: Shema","author":"Irene Bom","date":"June 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Someone in my congregation sent me a glowing commendation for The Bible Project, especially their video devoted to the first word of the ancient biblical prayer called \u201cThe Shema\u201d. Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Bible Project","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/the_bible_project.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3787,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2018\/01\/03\/unite-my-divided-heart\/","url_meta":{"origin":9080,"position":3},"title":"Unite my divided heart","author":"Irene Bom","date":"January 3, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"(Illustration: Irene Bom) \u00a0 This post - the first post in 2018 - introduces the theme for the month of January: Heart. (source: Logos Bible Software) \u00a0 In other words ... Here are some other English translations of Psalm 86:11 to help flesh out the meaning of the words, \"unite\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"O Eternal One, guide me along Your path so that I will live in Your truth. Unite my divided heart so that I will fear Your great name. Psalm 86:11, The Voice","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/unite_divided_heart.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/unite_divided_heart.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/unite_divided_heart.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/unite_divided_heart.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11934,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2021\/08\/27\/playful-prayer\/","url_meta":{"origin":9080,"position":4},"title":"Playful prayer","author":"Irene Bom","date":"August 27, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 While I was trawling the internet for play-related prayer topics and resources I came across a website called PLAYFUL PRAYER with the tagline, 'Exploring creative communication with God'. The blogs posts are by Susanna from the UK. She writes, This blog exists to inspire you and I to play\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "creativity"","block_context":{"text":"creativity","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/creativity\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/playful_prayer2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/playful_prayer2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/playful_prayer2.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/playful_prayer2.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5698,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2018\/08\/18\/in-the-light-of-his-coming\/","url_meta":{"origin":9080,"position":5},"title":"In the light of His coming","author":"Irene Bom","date":"August 18, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Irene Bom) \u00a0 Here are Paul's words of encouragement and exhortation to his friend and partner in the gospel, Timothy, taken from the Amplified Bible: \u00a0 I charge [you] in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/van_gogh_style_sky.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/van_gogh_style_sky.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/van_gogh_style_sky.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/van_gogh_style_sky.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Irene Bom","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/irenebom-com\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/\" rel=\"category tag\">bible<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/\" rel=\"category tag\">prayer<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/word-study\/\" rel=\"category tag\">word study<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"  Do not try to cover more than one good day\u2019s journey at a time. Ann Siddal, from #15   In July\/August 2019 I decided it was time to address my struggle to go to bed on time, and I foraged for Bible verses and prayers to help me turn over a new leaf, writing…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9080","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9080"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9080\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}