When You Can’t Sleep, PRAY

I am a good sleeper and rarely have nights where I cannot get to sleep, but I am writing this at the behest of a friend and church member who purchased the book, When You Can’t Sleep, PRAY by Ruel Fordyce, poet and short story writer. She was so impressed with the results, she asked me to write this. Full disclosure: I have not read the book but have done research on the topic, including reading the Amazon review that motivated my friend’s purchase.

The description of the book says it is “a sanctuary for the restless soul—those quiet hours when anxiety, doubt, and loneliness whisper loudest.”  I am sure that is what captured my friend’s attention. Who is not interested in a ‘sanctuary for the restless soul’? But does this work?

Debbie McDaniel of I Believe explains, “Sometimes when we find ourselves awakened in the middle of the night, worry, fear, and struggles can press hard…. And it’s in those very moments when we most need to pray that often we can hardly find the words to speak. But God knows. He understands. And He promises to be with us.”

In other words, we do not always know what we need to do, or we do not know how to solve a situation, so we need to give it into the Lord’s hands and let Him guide us to rest, and then calmly know how to act on a certain matter. 

Everyone agrees it does not make our problems go away. It is not a magical, instant solution. But over time we learn to realize that His words are living, active, and powerful. They are the only things that can bring us true peace in this life, whether it be through the brightness of day or in the darkest of night.

As for the book, it is full of prayers and poems to comfort you when you cannot sleep. Amazon describes it as a faithful friend whispering, “You are not alone.”

When You Can’t Sleep, PRAY by Ruel Fordyce is currently available for download on Amazon for $0.99.

-Eileen Brogan