There is something about the watches of the night. For me, it is a sacred space and time for my soul to remember my Heavenly Father.
Usually these sacred sessions are not planned, but God ordained.
I can’t sleep.
So instead of fussing, complaining and stressing I reframe the frustration and accept the invitation to satisfy my soul by remembering and meditating on God in the watches of the night.
“My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.” Psalm 63:5-6 ESV.
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So how do I use the night watches as sacred reminders?
- Affirmation Alphabet Prayers. This idea comes from Susie Larsen’s book “Your Powerful Prayers”. She had the idea to work her “way through the alphabet, naming (by faith) all the things I ambecause I am in Christ Jesus.” Here is her example…
Thank you Lord that I am..
A – Anointed and Appointed
B – Blessed and Bold
C – (full of ) Conviction and Compassion
I prefer using the Alphabet to give thanksgiving to God using adjectives for his character or using his names.
Thank you Lord that you are…
A – Adonai – my Lord
B – Better than everything and anything
C – Care for me so I can throw my cares on you
2. Praying Scripture. Repeating and praying Psalm 23 is probably the most common way I spend the night watches. I recite it in my mind then I run back through it and pray it back to God. Thank you Father that you are my Shepherd so I lack no good thing…
You could mediate upon any scripture passage that God has consistently taken you back to over time. This could be the Lord’s prayer, a psalm or just a single verse like “Be still and know that I am God.” Ps 46:10.
“My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.” Ps 119:148
3. Intercession for Others. The night watches are a perfect time to intercede for others.
“Arise cry out in the night at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children who faint for hunger at the head of every street.” Lamentations 2:19
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If you are having trouble sleeping, then ask God to drop names onto your mind that you can cover in prayer.
4. Time Travel. Take a story, event or person from the Bible and mull it over in your mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth and wisdom from the story.
Drop yourself into the story and imagine the environment and context. The smells, the sights the sounds. What woud you imagine the people thinking and feeling? Put yourself into the shoes of the different people interacting with Jesus.
ACTION: If you find yourself not sleeping, treasure the time as sacred space and give it over to God for him to bring your satisfaction to your soul.
Allow His Spirit to bring to your mind and heart reminders of Him.
Comment below or join the conversation on my facebook page with ways you remember God in the night watches.
Keep leaning into Him,
Rachel Larkin
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