TERRE HAUTE —
Sleep. I love a good sleep. But, like a lot of us, there are times when I can’t fall asleep or when I wake up in the middle of the night, knowing it will be hours before I can go back to sleep. I toss and turn, fluffing and flattening the pillows, covering and uncovering my feet and shoulders. I keep stealing looks at the clock, worrying about how tired I’m going to be the next day. That’s when all sorts of things run through my mind — how many tasks I left undone before going to bed, how many tasks I have facing me between breakfast and supper, things I said the day before that I shouldn’t have and things I should have said that I didn’t, daily troubles that seem intrusive and insurmountable in the darkness of my bedroom.
It’s frustrating, but I know what “experts” say about why I can’t sleep: before I go to bed, I have too much caffeine, too much stress and too much activity. So, to help my sleep “problems,” I have cut back on my caffeine consumption: no caffeine after 5 p.m., I pray for God to give me the strength to reduce the stress in my life, and I don’t exercise or do housework (ha!) before I go to bed.
But what’s even more frustrating is when my sleep is disturbed by God.
For instance, last night I woke from a deep sleep. My clock said it was 12:18. I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, but I kept seeing the printout of the clock in my mind’s eye: 12:18. I fell asleep thinking about the phrase “live at peace” and vowing that the first thing I would do this morning was to apologize to my husband for something I had said to him yesterday.
Was it God who woke me at 12:18 with the words “live at peace” ringing in my ears? Could be, for Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” I guess that includes husbands, huh?
Once, my husband heard Jack Hayford, TV and radio evangelist and author of the chorus “Majesty,” say that when God wants Hayford’s attention, He will wake him at 4:44. When this happens, Hayford begins praying. If God doesn’t give him an idea of what to pray for, Hayford begins praying for his family, his congregation, his ministry and whatever else God brings to his mind.
Since hearing that, God has awakened my husband numerous times at 4:44, resulting in fervent prayers for whatever God has brought to his mind.
“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests,” (Ephesians 6:18). “Devote yourselves to prayer,” (Colossians 4:2). “Pray continually,” (1st Thessalonians 5:17).
I hope you remember those verses the next time God wakes you in the middle of the night. It’s always the right time to pray, no matter what time it is.
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, may be reached at vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: It’s always the right time to pray, no matter what time it is
- Religion
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The Joy Lady: What kind of promises does a God like ours deserve?
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Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, has died
Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, died early this morning at her home in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, it is being reported on the Sisters of Providence Facebook site.
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A night of prayer
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to another Taizé prayer event at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to reflect on the joys and wonders of the river through prayer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 8, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Pull your wheels out of the Sunday morning rut
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‘Prayer Warrior Mom’ author at Open Door Bookstore June 3
Author and speaker Marla Alupoaicei will sign copies of her new book “Prayer Warrior Mom” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 3, in The Open Door Christian Bookstore at 3125 S. Third Place, behind Honey Creek Mall.
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‘The Conscience Monologues’ at St. Mary-of-the-Woods
There is something moving and powerful in hearing a woman recount her story of faith and courage in today’s world. Plan now to attend a dramatic telling of more than 10 such stories during “The Conscience Monologues: Women’s Stories of Conscience within the Catholic Church” from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 22 in Reilly Auditorium, Owens Hall, at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 1, 2013
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South Vigo Congregational Christian plans memorial service
The South Vigo Congregational Christian Church and the South Vigo Cemetery will stage an annual memorial service at 2 p.m. on June 2 in the church at 6499 Darwin Road, West Terre Haute.
The public is invited to attend and share a poem, song or other sentiment. - RELIGION BRIEFS: May 24, 2013
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Get in touch with prayer at Body Prayer workshop
Could your prayer life use some invigorating? If so, the Body Prayer workshop offered by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, may be for you.
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THE JOY LADY: We are not in charge. God is. Get over it, already.
If I were in charge of the world, I would run things a bit differently.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 25, 2013
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
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The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
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Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
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Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
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THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
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Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
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THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
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Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
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Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
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