If you've woken up between 3am and 5am,
Know that you're not alone in this moment.
This is a sacred time,
A time when the noise of the world is hushed and the voice of the Lord can be heard more clearly.
This is Sandra from Christ Centered Tribe and today I'll guide you through a biblical meditation for those early morning hours when you find yourself awake.
You might wish you were sleeping right now and that's okay.
You can even say to yourself,
I wish I was asleep right now.
And I'm disappointed I'm awake,
But I'm here now.
In this moment.
And I get to choose what I do with this moment.
Perhaps the Lord has something special to share with you.
So let's enter into this time with expectation,
Allowing his peace to wash over you as we meditate on his word together.
Find a comfortable position,
Whether you're lying down in bed or sitting in a chair.
Close your eyes and let's invite the presence of Holy Spirit into this quiet moment.
Take a deep breath in.
And slowly release it.
Breathe in again.
As you continue to breathe deeply,
I invite you to release any judgment you may have about being awake at this hour.
Your body and mind are safe here in God's care.
In 1 Samuel 3,
When Samuel woke up in the middle of the night,
He said,
Speak Lord,
Your servant is listening.
Let's borrow those words tonight.
With each inhale,
Silently pray,
Speak Lord.
And with each exhale,
Pray,
I'm here listening.
Inhale,
Speak Lord.
Exhale,
I'm listening.
Continue this pattern of breath prayer as we quiet our minds and open our hearts.
In 1 Kings 19,
Elijah discovered that God was not in the wind,
Not in the earthquake or in the fire,
But in the gentle whisper.
Even in these unexpected moments,
God is present with you,
Often speaking in that same gentle whisper to our hearts.
Let's meditate on Psalm 63,
Verses 6-8.
On my bed I remember you.
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help.
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you.
Your right hand upholds me.
David wrote these words during a difficult time in his life,
Yet he chose to use his sleepless nights to remember God's faithfulness.
He found comfort not in immediate answers to his problems,
But in God's presence.
Breathe in.
Consider how God might be drawing you to himself in this quiet hour.
Perhaps he's inviting you to lay your burdens down,
To receive wisdom for a decision,
Or simply to experience his love in a deeper way.
Let's also reflect on Lamentations chapter 3.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
His mercies never come to an end.
They are new every morning.
Great is your faithfulness.
Even before the sun rises,
God's mercies for this new day are already prepared for you.
Nothing catches Abba by surprise,
And God's faithfulness to you remains constant.
Now,
Let's pray together.
Abba,
Thank you for your presence with me in this quiet hour.
You never slumber or sleep,
And I find comfort knowing that you are with me constantly.
Even though it's not what I expected,
Thank you for this moment.
When I'm discouraged about being awake,
I remember that Jesus often rose early to pray.
And so I imagine myself with Jesus now,
Spending this time with you,
Abba,
As a gift.
Help me see this moment,
Like Jesus did,
As an opportunity to be with you.
It says in Romans 8 that Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for us.
Can you listen now and imagine how Jesus might be praying for you in this moment?
Father,
I release thoughts about tomorrow.
I rest in your promises.
I trust you as life unfolds.
I focus on you,
Rather than on circumstances and outcomes.
Your grace is sufficient for me right now.
Your strength is made perfect in my weakness.
Now imagine walking up to the throne of grace and unloading any heavy burden that you might be carrying,
Placing it into the hands of Jesus.
We remember his words in Matthew 11,
28-30.
Come to me,
All of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,
And I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you.
Let me teach you,
Because I am humble and gentle at heart,
And you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy to bear,
And the burden I give you is light.
Jesus,
We receive your yoke,
Which is easy and light,
And we enter into your rest.
Now in this moment,
Let's meditate on a few more promises and let them wash over you tonight.
In peace,
I will lie down and sleep,
For you alone,
O Lord,
Will keep me safe.
The Lord is my shepherd.
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows.
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
God gives rest to his loved ones.
Psalm 127,
2 The Lord replied,
I will personally go with you,
And I will give you rest.
Exodus 33,
14 In quietness and confidence is your strength.
Isaiah 30,
15 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40,
31 You can go to bed without fear.
You will lie down and sleep soundly.
Proverbs 3,
24 I am leaving you with a gift,
Peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.
So don't be troubled or afraid.
John 14,
27 Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46,
10 Abba,
Thank you for this sacred time in your presence.
Thank you for meeting us in these quiet hours and for speaking to our hearts.
We trust and surrender to your perfect plan.
May the peace that passes all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
And may we carry the sweetness of this time with you throughout our day.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
May the God of peace give you peace at all times and in every way.
God is with you as you continue to rest or if you are beginning your day.
You are wrapped in the assurance of his unfailing love.
Good night my friend.
Or perhaps good morning.
