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What happens when we sleep? A lot, actually. While we are sleeping, our bodies are repairing and restoring themselves. Our brains are working out problems and making connections. But did you know that in the stillness of the night, God will also speak to your spirit and renew your prayer life? He does this for me.
When I wake up from my nighttime dreams, I ask God what He wants me to do. Most often, He tells me to pray over clues I find in my dreams. In the middle of the night, I silently pray for the situations, and I return to sleep with greater peace.
Let’s uncover more truth about what happens when we sleep through Scripture.
What Happens When We Sleep
God is at work in our hearts and spirit even in the stillness of the night. Our bodies are sleeping, yet our hearts, souls, and spirits are attuned to God’s Spirit while we sleep. Here are some examples of what God does when we sleep.
He teaches us.
“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”
Psalm 16:7, New International Version
God counsels and instructs us even while we sleep.
He corrects us.
“For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.”
Psalm 32:4, New International Version
If sin is blocking our relationship with God, He will gently pressure us to correct our wrongs while we are sleeping.
He builds a loving relationship with us.
“My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.”
Isaiah 26:9a, New International Version
God builds intimacy with us in the night by wooing us to Himself.
These are just a few examples of what happens when we sleep, and God is at work in us. He will give us more peace during sleep when we are aware of His presence before bedtime.
Reflecting on God’s Peace During Sleep
To set yourself up for peaceful rest and spiritual growth, you can be proactive before sleeping. These activities will help you reflect on God’s peace during sleep. Practice them at bedtime so your dreams will be more peaceful, and your prayer life will be renewed in the night.
Meditate
“Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”
Psalm 1:1-2, New International Version
If you meditate on God’s Word before bedtime, you will fall asleep with greater peace.
Remember
“In the night, Lord, I remember your name, that I may keep your law.”
Psalm 119:55, New International Version
Your meditation on favorite names of God, such as Provider or Savior, can build your trust in Him, which helps you have more peace.
Ask
“The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.”
1 Timothy 5:5, New International Version
If you have a need, ask God for it before you go to sleep. He listens to your prayers and your heart’s desires for help. Knowing this can give you more peaceful sleep.
Reflect
“I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
“Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?”
“Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.’”
Psalm 77:5-7; 10-12, New International Version
Reflecting on God’s faithfulness to you can set your heart in a peaceful place before you go to sleep. By remembering God’s works in your life, you can experience greater peace along with everything as that happens when you sleep.
Listen now to a short segment of an Abide sleep story based on Psalm 77. This will give you an idea of how a Bible-based sleep story can help you meditate, remember, ask, and reflect on God’s Word as you fall asleep.
I hope it’s clear now that what happens when we sleep is connected to God’s work in us. He teaches, corrects, and lovingly woos us in the night hours. We can have more peaceful sleep by realizing these truths and being diligent in preparing ourselves for God’s nighttime work.
For more help to sleep better and connect with God, which is what happens when we sleep, check out the Abide app. Our 400+ Bible-based sleep stories all exist to help you experience the peace of Christ and get better rest. Download the app and start a premium subscription. This gains you access to our entire library of content. Use this link for 25% off.
Sarah Geringer is an author of seven books, including two on Christian meditation. She writes and speaks about finding peace in God’s Word at sarahgeringer.com.
