The Watches of the Night

Reflection on Psalm 63:6 — 11/13/2023

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. — Psalm 63:6

As a boy I remember waking up to get a drink and hearing my dad downstairs praying. At first I thought this was a nightly ritual for him, then one day I remember telling him that I couldn’t sleep. He said to me, “If you can’t sleep, pray.”

Almost 30 years later I still remember his words when I lie awake at night. They don’t come immediately, but when they do, I thank God for him, and talk to my Heavenly Father. Those are some of my sweetest times of prayer; it’s quiet, I have nowhere to be, and all the time in the world to just speak and listen.

I’m sure the Psalmist and my dad awoke intentionally to pray, but they were holier than I am. Nevertheless, there is something sacred about talking to God at night. It requires a little bit of work, because at first you’ll think about sleeping, perhaps frustratingly. Maybe you’ll start counting sheep to see if that works. But if you can train yourself to think of God in the quiet hours of the night, you’ll be rewarded with some of the riches times of fellowship.

Great Father, for whom even the darkness is light. Thank you for the invitations to fellowship with you in the watches of the night. Grant that we would respond to those situations with a readiness to pray for what is on your heart and ours. For we know that you delight to answer our prayers. So help us see sleeplessness as a gift, trusting that you are able to restore our souls as we commune with you. In Jesus name. Amen.

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