How many of you out there find yourself up at three or four in the morning with your mind reeling…?
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been up in the wee hours of the night with racing thoughts, unable to turn off your brain, unable to rest comfortably and get back to sleep.
Oh I’m with you out there brothers and sisters of the sleepless nights, the minds that just won’t shut off…..
I’ve stumbled on something that might help.
There is a scripture in the Bible that many Christians know in the book of Philippians (4:6-7) that tells us not to be anxious, but instead to pray to God and ask him for whatever we want and we will find peace. And it’s a wonderful scripture, but it is an asking prayer. Nothing wrong with that, but Paul follows up those beautiful words of comforting spiritual wisdom with the following prayer of gratitude, which I think can be enormously satisfying and effective. Especially in the wee hours of the morning when worry and fear try to take hold.
Practicing Gratitude
So recently I’ve taken this verse and used it as a prayer in the middle of my sleepless nights. You don’t even have to be a Christian to see how helpful it is, it’s a pretty universal idea.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Paul, Philippians 4:8
Paul is directing us to change our thought life. Every bad mood, anxiety, fear, or disappointment, as well as every positive, pleasant, courageous and hopeful attitude all begin in your mind, and you get to choose which thoughts to focus on. As Joyce Meyer likes to say ‘you can’t always help it if a negative thought falls into your head. But you do get to choose whether it stays there or not.’ So we can ruminate and dwell on, and worry and fret about something horrible, or we can proclaim what God says and choose to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
I like to personalize this scripture when I pray because I think the Bible was written to speak to each one of us. I believe that there are 7 billion ways to interpret the Bible. God loves each one of us so much that his word speaks to us individually. What follows is one of the prayers I prayed recently at night that has gotten me back to sleep. Maybe you can use this scripture and personalize it to your own life.
A Deconstructed Anti-Anxiety Prayer for the Middle of the Night
Whatever is true, whatever is noble…
Thank you, Lord, that a huge truth in my life right now is that Jesus is with me always; guiding, protecting, comforting, forgiving, strengthening.
What is noble is that Jesus went to the cross for me. For me! He died for me. The gravity of that is enough to meditate on for the rest of my life.
Whatever is right, whatever is pure…
What is right is our freedom, as human beings. Something we are blessed to have in this country and something we take so for granted. I’m so very grateful for our freedom, as well as those who have volunteered to protect it.
What in my own life is pure? My beautiful, healthy, happy, perfect, adorable grandson. I can barely think about him or look at him without getting tears in my eyes, I am so filled with gratitude. Thank you Lord for blessing our family with this tiny little miracle.
Whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…
What is lovely? It is lovely to see my children each find such a perfect partner to spend their lives with. It fills me with so much joy to see both of my kids so happy and in love. And it’s all by the grace of God, and I thank him for it.
What in my life is admirable? Having someone to stand by my side through the best of the best and the worst of the worst. Someone who is unwavering in his faith. Someone who is my rock; supportive, strong and forgiving and always there when I need him….. My husband’s steadfast love and faithfulness is so admirable especially at this difficult time in my life.
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy…
What is excellent? Every divinely created thing in nature, and every thing of beauty created by those divinely created beings and entities. The beauty and the harmony and flow of every sentient being and inanimate object, every living and non-living thing God created, is excellent. As are those who are devoted to protecting and caring for it all.
What is praiseworthy? In the secular world, we throw praise around pretty freely. We praise our kids when they are good, we give ‘high praise’ to accomplished artists and actors, writers and musicians, and just about anyone who does something outstanding. And that’s fine, in a worldly context. But truthfully, big picture? There is only One who is worthy of our praise. The triune Godhead; Father, Son and Spirit. Namely – and most accessibly – Jesus Christ; Lord, Savior, and Son of God. I am reminded of this as I pray this prayer of gratitude, and I save my true praise for Him alone.
Instead of asking God for yet another thing, another favor, more help, guidance, and grace, try coming up with your own personalized prayer of gratitude. I guarantee shifting your focus from what is difficult in your life to what is good, no matter how small, will have a positive, calming effect. This is true whether you are a Christian or not.
The next time your mind’s wheels are spinning in the middle of the night, practice gratitude! Try using this scripture as a guide. Thanking God for what he’s already given you can calm your mind like asking for more never will.