You know the scenario well. You’ve worked, chased kids, shopped, cleaned, and cooked. Now you’re ready to collapse into bed. Barely able to hold your eyes open, you long for the moment when blessed sleep will carry you away. If all goes as planned, in seven or eight hours, you’ll awaken refreshed and ready to face a new day.
Except sometimes, sleep doesn’t come. Instead of slipping into restful unconsciousness, you stare at the ceiling. You pull the covers tighter, then fling them to the side. Wiggle. Squirm. Stretch.
An hour—or three—later, you’re no closer to falling asleep than when you laid down. Now you’re not only sleepless, you’re anxious. How am I going to function tomorrow? I’ll be dragging by lunchtime. I’ll probably have a headache too. And dark circles under my eyes. Why can’t I fall asleeeeeeep?
Sleeplessness is relatively new to me. Hard work and long days have always made Ecclesiastes 5:12 true in my life: “Sweet is the sleep of a laborer” (ESV). Lately, however, long nights of rest have become more elusive.
At first, I lamented those sleepless hours. Sometimes I still do. But as I laid in bed one night wishing I could fall asleep, I realized that if God is sovereign over my days, He’s also sovereign over my nights. Asaph the psalmist declared, “Yours is the day, yours also the night” (Psalm 74:16, ESV).
If I could eagerly embrace Psalm 127:2, that God “gives his beloved sleep,” (NKJV) could I not also embrace that sometimes God doesn’t give his beloved sleep? That perhaps God has a purpose for my sleeplessness?
The Gift of Sleeplessness
What if, instead of lamenting my inability to sleep, I embraced it as a gift—something sent by a loving God for good purposes?
I admit, this took some effort. It’s hard to endure, let alone embrace sleeplessness when you’re exhausted. But striving, fretting, and lamenting its absence only wasted precious energy.
God Doesn’t Clock Out
As I study the Bible, especially the Psalms, I discover that God doesn’t clock out at 10 pm. He’s just as present in the night as in the day. Psalm 139:11–12 declares, “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you.” Lights on or lights off, God is there. Knowing this helps me feel less lonely when the rest of the world slumbers and I lay awake.
Sleepless Nights Don’t Have to Be Wasted Nights
Before I studied sleep Scriptures, I considered every sleepless hour a wasted one, but I was wrong. These hours can become some of our most productive ones—if we spend them well.
Three Ways to Redeem Our Sleepless Hours
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Meditate on God’s Promises
Psalm 119:148 gives us a peek into one of the psalmist’s sleepless nights, “My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise” (ESV). In the quiet moments between dusk and dawn, he spent his time thinking about God’s promises.
Perhaps he repeated Deuteronomy 31:8, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Or Psalm 32:8: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Some of my favorite promises to think on are James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (ESV), and Philippians 1:6: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (ESV).
Meditating on God’s promises in the quiet of the night helps banish our fears and reminds us of truth.
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Examine Our Hearts
The silence of a quiet night invites biblical introspection. David asked the Lord in Psalm 139:23–24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (ESV)!” We can (and should) do the same.
When God brings to mind a secret (or not so secret) sin, we can confess it, forsake it, and receive God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Doing this often brings about the relief and sweet sleep we desire. God disturbed King David’s sleep (Psalm 32:4) to lead him to confess his sin and receive forgiveness (Psalm 32:5).
Time alone with our thoughts can also invite the enemy’s attack. How do we distinguish between God’s voice and Satan’s? God reveals our sin (conviction) so He can cleanse and restore us. Satan accuses us to condemn and destroy us. Ask yourself, “Am I feeling condemnation or conviction,” then respond appropriately.
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Praise and Pray
David, in Psalm 63:5–7 gives us a blueprint for how to praise and pray to God, “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; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.”
Sleepless hours can be powerful hours when we turn our thoughts toward God in prayer and praise. When we recount God’s attributes, we gain a proper perspective of our problems in light of who God is. Reminding ourselves that God is mighty, loving, patient, kind, sovereign, generous, just, and all-knowing makes our spirits soar instead of sink. Tears of gratitude replace tears of frustration and laughter banishes languishing.
These night hours can also become holy battle grounds when we wrestle, as Jacob did, for God to bless us and those we love (Genesis 32:22–26). I’m often amazed at who God brings to mind when I ask Him to show me who needs my prayers. I’ll think of college friends, church members from years ago, and random people I haven’t seen in decades. I receive each name from the Lord and pray as He leads me.
More Time to Pray
Most of us wish we had more time to pray. Perhaps sleepless hours are God’s answer to our busy, prayer-deprived lives. I don’t often have the luxury of an uninterrupted hour or two (or three) to pray for my family, friends, church members, neighbors, missionaries, and governmental leaders, but my sleepless nights grant me this time. When the world is still, and I’m alone with God, I can pray marvelous blessings into these precious people’s lives. Almost every night I pray the prayer John Piper prayed over his children, “Lord, even in their sleep, draw them to you.”
Sleepless Nights Aren’t My Favorite
I’ll be the first to admit that sleepless nights aren’t my favorite. But I’ve chosen to accept them as gifts rather than grief. They’ve allowed me more opportunities to ponder God’s promises, cleanse my heart before Him, and pray His power into our hurting world. As I do, the sweet Spirit of God refreshes me in ways I can’t describe. Even when my body wilts with weariness, my spirit stands strong.
The next time you toss and turn in sleeplessness, I encourage you to turn your heart toward God. Pillow your head on His chest, whisper into His ear, and feel His arms hold you close.
Glory in His presence. Rest in His love.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29, ESV).
–Written by Lori Hatcher. Used by permission from the author.
41 Responses
Thank you very much, this is just what i needed..
Thank you! I looked up “where to read in the Bible while having a sleepless night” and came across this. As I read this entire article I leave with a new perspective and read many people have the same struggle. I feel alone in these moments but I will praise and pray to God. God is good all the time.
Thank you Lori for your insightful thoughts and sharing on sleeplessness is a gift and not grief from God. I too have sleepless nights for the past year n at times lay in bed feeling helpless. I know your advice to remember God’s promises, check our heart and praise and pray when we cant sleep is good medicine and the best advice . I confess at times I do feel that I am alone in this sleeplessness situation. But now I find so comforting that many here are facing the same situation. Thank you for your blog n all who share here. Together we pray that God indeed will keep us strong and His peace give us comfort to know He is with us always.
AMEN AND AMEN
Love you God 💎 may peace be on earth
I Love Jesus my God
Thank you, Laurie for this. I lie awake every single night at 3 o’clock in the morning same time every night. I awake for two or three hours afterwards and then fall asleep again when I am awake I am reminded of all the bad things I’ve done and I confess them to God. Most of these were done in ignorance. None the less, I feel that Satan the accuser is attacking me. I say God has forgiven me and ask Him for help. All the things you wrote have given me a different way to use these hours of sleeplessness. God is always with and for us. He loves us. I pray for my kids who are no longer going to church, for our country and leaders. And now since reading this, I will focus more on who God is and how much He loves me, and take this time as God wanting to hear from me. Thank you for your insights and sharing them with many. God continue to bless your writings.
I am grateful for these early morning prayer. I will not claim insomnia anymore instead I give All Glory to GOD FOR HIS HEALING PROVISION AND FORGIVENESS
I nitin from india I do Evangelism work in far remote place going to non belivers preaching the gospel but in doing this many times had sleepless night then thoughts use to come in my mind saying Lord I did you work but why I am not getting my sleep .. now it’s 2.06 am I m awake did all preaching work no sleep thanks to you you helped me to understand God’s way of work .. I will use this night hours to prayer and mediate on God’s word praise God thank you jesus
Thank you. I feel encouraged reading this as well as the comments from others. I still feel like a baby Christian, overly focused on my own wants or needs (such as sleep), and this article has encouraged me to go deeper. My life is not my own. I can use this time to praise God and pray for others. To rest in Gods truth. To know that I am not called to deny myself and take up my cross because God doesn’t love me but because of His great love for us, He sent his son to Jesus to die on the cross for us. And I am called, in His love, to not only share in the life and resurrection of Jesus but also in His death. Gods plan is greater than my own. God I repent right now with my sisters as my witnesses, of my self centeredness and idolisation of comfort and CONTROL. Lord I pray in faith seeing in this moment how this insomnia is challenging me to die to self. And I already see in this moment how it is bringing me closer to You, Lord. I love you and pray for all my sisters reading this blog that they would be healed from their insomnia. But perhaps more so, that they would fix their eyes on you and Your sovereignty in all that this article has so articulately explained. For His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Sister reading this, you are not alone. Sending love to you all x
I am in complete agreement with those reading and posting their comments, acknowledging GOD POWER AND MAJESTY. Insomnia is indeed a curse from the pits of Hell as well as physical unrelentless pain. Jehovah Rapha heal your people
I fix my eyes on the Lord at this hour in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen and Amen
I have suffered with on and off insomnia for the past 2 years. Sometimes I will get a few hours, sometimes a perfect nights sleep, and others none at all. Right now I’m 39 weeks pregnant and have had the worst insomnia of my life. Many nights I lay awake without any sleep. This article was so refreshing to read and such a beautiful reminder of God’s sovereignty even in sleeplessness. Thank you for this ❤️
Bella, I certainly identify with you! I haven’t had a sleep schedule since I was 5 yrs old. Insomnia is very challenging to say the least and I experience this as well. I just want you to know I will be praying for you every time I’m awake or awakened. Know that someone is thinking of you and lifting you and your Insomnia to heaven.
Thank you for pointing us to God, whether that be prayer or reading the Word. Whatever we are reminding ourselves of during the day it is the same at night. God doesn’t clock out. I was having some flashbacks as a pre-teen/teenager and I was getting frustrated about some of the skills I lacked. So I did start to pray and forgive myself and forgive anyone I wanted to blame for my lack. I started to listen for God’s voice. And then I said I need a little more direction and here I am. Grateful. Love you brothers and sisters in Christ! God will heal and He will help, and He will restore and He will return!
Thank you for the reminder that God gives us rest and also time to pray! 🙏 I woke up worried about my 18 year old who is rushing for a fraternity this week. But also has experienced some trauma. When I sent a text his response was I am going to bed. Couldn’t sleep. I sent him your post as well.
I am in a sleepless night, all night,
My search led me here. It brought peace to read this article.
I can view my insomnia differently now and utilize what God is revealing to me through this discomfort.
Thank you
I really needed this. My alarm goes off at 6am yet It’s currently 2:04am as I’ve been laying here for 3 hours exhausted yet wide awake I’ve always had insomnia, but I lost my father in July and it’s been much worse. I feel such a sense of peace after reading this and am so blessed that God led me here. I plan to use these nights to pray and get closer to Him. Thank you!
Fascinating how many people typed the same thing on google to end up on this blog. Thank you for sharing. I suffered from Insomnia really bad in my early twenties. It almost led me to a point of depression. I’ve been delivered from this but still struggle with sleeplessness. I noticed a few years ago, sometimes I couldn’t sleep because my heart was heavy and my mind was alive. I’d start writing and all these ideas and thoughts came to me that I had to write down in the middle of the night. I prayed for a good while before I went to bed and I was exhausted. I couldn’t sleep… but God was laying on my heart all the things I’ve struggled to put down on paper for my recent article. He then gave me the words for a speech I have coming up. I’ve started to understand sleeplessness sometimes is God’s way of making things happen. He works in mysterious ways and I’m glad this blog and the people commenting have confirmed this. God bless you all
What a wonderful response Emmanuel! It is exciting that we are all here reading this together! Coincidence? No, I don’t think so. None of us know each other but we can take comfort in knowing we are not alone. I’m happy that God is giving you ideas through your sleepless nights. Perhaps He is showing me the way He wants me to go. Thanks for your comment. I am glad we are here, at this time, at this place.
Thank you so much for this. God bless you. Having one of those nights. Blessed to have been able to find this blog.
I see two of my grandchildren only 2x a year because they live in a different state. When it is time to depart, I can’t sleep knowing this fact. I miss them terrible& can’t sleep knowing they are not being taught Jesus as I taught their mother. I also worry over the evil influences in their life (social media, peers, etc).
For quite some time I have been battling sleeplessness, although not everyday but it’s been bothering me. Here and there I would pray but most times I would be complaining. Thank you so much for this blog, I have been delivered from fretting from today. It’s true the enemy can condemn, he just did that but not anymore. It’s 2:15 am and was still tossing and turning although very tired after a 2 hours mountain hike at sun set
Glory to God for this rich upliftment. Thanks once again and God bless you
I’m having a sleepless night at this moment. Thank you for the encouragement to spend the time reading God’s Word and to receive His promises through prayer.
This blog is an answer to my prayer. I have been battling sleepless nights and I am a nursing mother. I have been very anxious about this. This past night I was awake almost all through the night. The fear that crept in me was my health failing. Then I heard within me "he who losses his life for my sake, shall find it". Next time, I will channel this nights to prayers and worship. God bless you Lori 🙏
I’m speechless. Wow incredible verse What an incredible God we serve! I’ll be. Revisiting this blog
Thanks I’m on one of those night tonight
Thank you Lori for these words. I love how you gave practical ways to redeem a sleepless night. Matthew 11:28 is a verse I hold so close.
eryn eddy adkins
Thank God for his word and Thank you for sharing. I have suffered sleep deprivation for many years. I can’t remember when it began. I am a senior and recently I began to worry because my heart feels heavy and fear sets in since I live alone. My prayers to feel better living alone has come to pass and I finally enjoy my own company. My cousin Patty said many years ago "when you can’t pray". I will know I can’t sleep it lingers. I will pray hours try to sleep and I remain wide awake. I am bored so I sit up and play games my favorite pass time. I get convicted and turn back to God in prayer and before long I am sleep. When I wake I pray myself into Praise for God for God answers prayer. Yes, Joy I look for Joy that comes in the morning from prayer and praise for all God has done.
Tracy Martin
As l lay awake in the wee hours of the morning, God is telling me be still & know that I’m God…so I began to pray for Family & Friends & so on. All is well with the Lord.
This is so on point as I lay here, not able to calm my mind at 3:41am. I am tired, I am anxious, but I am blessed. I will use this time to rest in God’s loving arms.
Thank you.
Maurita Harris
I love this article, I have many sleepiness night because of pain. So very true to embrace the quietness and listen to what the Lord lays in our hearts. Prayers for others. Sometimes praise to our Lord through night watches. I love to pick up the word of God, read and mediate he fills.us with peace. Thank you for that beautiful encouraging word. Amen!
Thus was a very timely post for me too as the insomnia I’ve been struggling with for years has gotten much worse lately. When I first started struggling with insomnia God helped calm my anxiety by reading Psalm 4:8, “I will sleep in peace, O Lord, for you alone make me dwell in safety.”
Thank you for this. I can use my sleepless nights positively praying for others!!
Thank you for this beautiful way to pass the time on times when sleep seems to evade us. I am especially drawn to a time long ago when I was in the midst of a broken heart and was crying myself to sleep, I imagined myself lying in the lap of Jesus soothing my tears away with His scarred hands. Your words of encouragement are a true blessing for weary souls.
Yes and Amen!
Linda
Thank you, Lori for your beautiful and timely posting. God has laid on my heart prayers for others, situations for years whenever faced with a sleepless night.
Your encouragement is such a Blessing!
When I have sleepless nights, I have always looked upon them as burden. Now, I can look upon them as a gift. These are opportunities for me to reflect on my own life and to spend more time with God and praying for others. Thank you, Lori for giving me a different perspective on my sleepless nights.
I feel like God has been waking me up at night and I use that time to pray. I have had God lay specific prayers on my heart to share with others. I love my sleep but even when woken up in the middle of the night I still feel good in the morning!
This is so timely for me, Lori! Thank you for encouraging us to look at sleeplessness as a gift!
Amen!