A Good Night's Sleep

“The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.”
Acts 12:6-7

Did you catch it as you read verse six? Peter was asleep and he was not sleeping restlessly – he was sound asleep. So asleep in fact that the angel that came to rescue Peter had to kick him in the side to wake him up.

Maybe, I should back up a bit. Peter’s friend James had just been beheaded by King Herod. The king seeing that it pleased the Jews decided to arrest Peter and do the same thing to him. The king knew better than to have the execution during the Passover feast, so he throws Peter in prison to wait. So here is the thing, Peter is mourning the loss of his friend James and he is in a filthy, varmint infested Roman prison, chained to Roman soldiers awaiting his execution – sound asleep. I don’t know about you but I lose sleep over much less. I have no doubt many of you have stuff going on in your lives keeping you up at night as well.

I have been sleeping much better since I discovered part of the secret to Peter’s restful night.
First – before Jesus was crucified he gave the disciples his peace. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” That is a gift for us as well - we just need to accept it. Peter had Jesus’ peace so he could sleep. Another part of the secret is prayer. You see there was a houseful of people praying for Peter as he slept in the prison. We all have at least one other person and probably many more praying for us as well. I have slept well every night since I got it. When I get in bed I simply claim Jesus’ gift of peace and give thanks for all of the people who are praying for me.

Can’t sleep – give it a try, accept Jesus’ gift of peace and remember to give thanks for those who are praying for you. I’ll be praying that you sleep better this week.

A prayer
Father – thank you for gift of peace offered by Your Son Jesus. May we accept it fully into our lives. Thank you also for the people who pray regularly for us and for the situations of our lives – may they also find peace and rest in You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.