Now I Lay Me Down to Pray

By David Young

It is my practice to pray for a list of extended family members each night after I lie down in bed. I have memorized specific Scriptures that I pray over certain family members. I have prayed for some of the children on my list every day of their lives.

Of course I sometimes fall asleep before I finish the list—but there are worse ways to go to sleep! And because I pray for them in a certain order, I am able to pick up the prayer in the morning as far as I remember praying the night before.

I have done this for years. I don’t remember how I came up with the order. The list probably developed over the years simply by repetition. I do not know how long it takes me to get through the list, and, in fact, no two nights are quite the same.

I do this each night because of continuing needs in my family. My grandchild has a need this week. My nephew could face a crisis tomorrow. And several family members seem to have ongoing problems.

But I suspect the primary benefit, like most prayer, is in what God does and will do in me. I believe going to sleep in prayer may help saturate every aspect of my life in the presence of God.

DAVID YOUNG is a retired pastor, teacher and writer. (daveswatch.com)