Sleepless in Bear

I couldn't sleep at all last Saturday night. And sleeplessness for me is unusual.

After tossing and turning, I finally gave up and tried the ultimate sleeping pill: Prayer.

It seems that every time Chuck and I pray these days, we end our conversation with God like this, "And, please, Lord, we need wisdom. You know the challenges facing us. Lord, wisdom, please."

So Saturday night and into early Sunday morning I listed one more time, for my God who knows everything, all the circumstances in our life as well as those in the lives of people we love.

I reminded God that He is my covenant God, that He has promised to hear me and that if I need wisdom, He will give it to me. Just ask.

I told Him how much I love the people who are on my heart and asked Him to burden my heart with others who might not be sleeping either because of great sorrow or excruciating decisions or broken relationships. Things I wouldn't know but secrets known only to Him.

I fell asleep with one particular family on my mind as I asked God to give them a sense of His presence while they struggled to make sense of their own life difficulties.

Before going to church I sent a quick email to my friend, telling her that God kept me awake with her needs on my heart and that I had asked Him to give her strength beyond herself as she faced that day.

Sunday night I read a response. Why was I shocked to learn that at almost the exact time in the middle of the night that God burdened me with her name that she was facing yet another crisis? My momentary shock gave way to feeling humbled that God would give me the privilege of staying awake through the night to pray for a dear sister who could not pray for herself in those moments. As I write this I am overcome with a deep appreciation for God's love for my friend, that He connected me to her through prayer. And I know that hearing that God had moved me to pray at that exact moment reminded her that she is His child, that He is the Lord her God and that He calls her by name. I am so humbled by God using me as a channel of His compassion!

Are you sleepless in your hometown? Can you surrender to the sleeplessness as a gift from God so that you can pray for those He loves? Have you told His children that He reminded you to pray for them?

This incident reminds me of the truth of

Encouragement Principle #9

in my book,Treasures of Encouragement: Consistent, fervent prayer is the greatest treasure of encouragement we have to offer.

I need to remember to offer this gift more often.

I'd love to hear your story of how God reminded you of His love through the prayers of someone else. Or, how God reminded you of His love for you by giving you the privilege of praying for that friend.

Prayer - the greatest treasure of encouragement

In His Grip,

Sharon

Originally posted April 30, 2010