Praying to Sleep

My second book, “When God Says No: Finding Glory in the Ashes” is currently in the initial editing phases. I’m excited and hope that it will be an inspiration to many and help them grow closer to Christ. In the book, I talk about nights falling asleep crying in prayer for my wife. I may again tonight. OK, maybe not with tears. My perspective on so many things has changed and I believe the book tells that story. But I will indeed likely fall asleep in prayer. My poor bride has finally passed out from exhaustion. And yet, she’s still hiccupping! When you don’t know what else to do, there’s always one thing left. Prayer! Of course, the Bible does say to pray without ceasing. That doesn’t seem very practical in modern times. I would never tell you to close your eyes in prayer during your daily commute! But, I always go back to one of my favorite movies of all time. I’m pretty sure that “Fiddler on the Roof” came out in 1974. It was a long time working its way from the original work to what they finally put on Broadway then on film. But in any case, the main character, Tevye opens the movie talking directly to God as he walks his lame horse home to the barn before finishing his deliveries, pushing the cart himself. Although he starts out griping (not the attitude I want us to have), he makes his way into the dreamer’s song, “If I Were a Rich Man.” But as the movie continues, at certain moments, all action will freeze as he looks at the camera and repeats something that was just said. I always feel like he’s talking to God. I do believe that we need to remember who God is vs. who we are. But evidence supports that Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. They knew full well that He made them and feared his anger. But they also enjoyed His loving presence. So tonight, if she doesn’t stop hiccupping on her own, I will likely fall asleep praying for her. For if we are to pray without ceasing, then it must include moments where life isn’t on the line and maybe it isn’t even about hiccups, but just allowing the creator of the universe into our daily lives.