News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Religion

September 15, 2012

THE JOY LADY: It’s always the right time to pray, no matter what time it is

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.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Religion
Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety Raw: Suspects Butt Dial 911, Lead to Arrest Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor Active Search for Utah Missing Mom Ends Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
NDN Video
IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir Reporter Cries Over Devastation Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school Robert Pattinson Moves Out RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone" Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song Justin Bieber Gets Booed RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News