Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

“Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, Guide me safely through the night and wake me with the morning light. God Bless Mom, Dad, Matt and etc…

I remember praying this prayer from my earliest memories all through my childhood. It was a prayer my Mom taught me as a child. My brother and I would pray it as we went to bed each night. Somewhere between childhood and becoming an adult that prayer slipped away. As I am a Dad now and I love being the one to put my children to bed every night, I pray with them. I have taught my children to pray to their Heavenly Father openly and to share with Him what’s on their hearts, not just a repetitive prayer. Not that our prayer as a child was bad but that God wants to have a very personal relationship with each of us.

Matthew 7:7,8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

If I were to pray that old prayer today it would sound different. There would be one name left out now, “Dad”. My brother and I held the memorial service for our Dad today to finalize his passing away. After I had put my children to bed tonight I was thinking of childhood memories. I even drove past our old homestead today. Memories of our childhood were so vivid as I looked at where we grew up. Tonight with those memories still fresh in my mind I realized that prayer would be different now.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

You see once we pass away it is final. There is no more trying to live right, be a good person and make the right decisions. We need to make those decisions today, while we are here and able. The one decision that matters most is whether we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or not. Do you believe that He died for your sins? Do you believe that God raised Him from the dead. Do you believe He conquered death and all its power? Do you confess with your mouth that He is Lord? (Romans 10:9,10) If your answer is yes to all these questions then if you are still not sure you will go to heaven, what you need is to “Repent and Believe”.

Mark 1:15 Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Our sins hinder God from allowing His presence in our lives. (John 9:31, Isaiah 59:2, Pro. 28:9)
John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

He wants us to live a wonderful life. He wants us to be blessed beyond our imagination. (Jer. 29:11, Eph 3:20) But our sins cause him to look the other way. He does not listen to the prayers of sinners. Therefore you must turn from your wrong ways and turn to His ways. Simply ask Him right now to forgive you for your sins. Ask Him to help you live a more pleasing life to Him so that you would have that guarantee of Eternity with Him in Heaven. And while you finish this life here on earth you would experience His presence and His blessings in your life. Don’t miss out on what He has for you!

Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you,
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Yes the bible is very clear about God not hearing the prayers of the unrighteous person but there is one that He does listen to every time it is prayed. It goes like this: Dear Jesus, I believe in You. I believe you died for MY sins. I believe you conquered death and rose from the dead on the third day. I am a sinner, Please forgive me. I invite you to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. Help me now Lord to live for You. Thank You Jesus, Amen

Brad Wilson
Wilson Family Ministries

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, Guide me safely through the night and wake me with the morning light. God bless Mom, my Wife and Children, Matt and his family and Lord my Dad's soul you keep.”