By Simon Bascombe, Jubilee Church Wirral

If like me, you suffer with lack of sleep either constantly or periodically, it is one of the most frustrating things.

We know we need to sleep, and we know the benefits are amazing. It helps to repair our bodies, improves learning and memory, lowers stress levels, improves creativity and maintains a good immune system. “But I just cannot sleep”.

The experts say, go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, avoid big meals right before bed and exercise regularly. As well as this, it is important to turn off your phone, television and your computer at the same time each night and keep your bedroom cool, quiet and dark.

“But I just cannot sleep”.

People say, if you do not get enough sleep, it can cause anxiety, depression or any other mental health problems. Lack of sleep can also cause irritability or mood swings, headaches or weight gain.  “But I just cannot sleep”.

In the Bible, it says God does not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7.

So I am going to stand on the promises of God. “I can sleep”

Will you stand and pray for me and I will stand and pray for you?

I am going to speak to sleep in the name of Jesus like Jacob in Genesis 28:11. “When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep”.

I am going to speak to sleep in the name of Jesus like David in Psalm 3:4-5. “I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me”. Also, David said in Psalm 4:8, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety”.

I am going to speak to sleep in the name of Jesus like in Psalm 127 ‘A song of ascents. Of Solomon’, where in verse 2 it states “For God grants sleep to those he loves”.

I am going to speak to sleep in the name of Jesus like in Proverbs 3 ‘Wisdom Bestows Well-Being’, where in verse 24 it states, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet”.

I am going to speak to sleep in the name of Jesus, taking heed in Proverbs 6 ‘Warning Against Adultery’, where in verses 20-22 it says, “My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you”.

I am going to speak to sleep in the name of Jesus, and say in Jeremiah 31:26, when the Lord spoke to Jeremiah in his sleep. “At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant to me”.

I am going to speak to sleep in the name of Jesus, like ‘The Lord Will Be Israel’s Shepherd’ when he spoke in Ezekiel 34:24-26. “I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken. I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety. I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing”.

I am going to speak to sleep in the name of Jesus, in Psalm 91 vs 1-2. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Therefore, if like me, you suffer with lack of sleep, either constantly or periodically, it is no longer going to be the most frustrating thing any more, in Jesus name.  This is because, God does not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and a sound mind. 

I am going to stand on the promises of God. “I can sleep”, “We can sleep”. Let us join together when the ‘Father Revealed in the Son’ in Matthew 11:28-29.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”. As well as this, we will be like David in Psalms 18 ‘For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord’. When he sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said in Psalm 18 vs 1-3, “I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies”.

It’s bedtime now, let’s sleep!