We lift you up before the Lord, knowing that He is your comfort and strength in every trial, including the struggles you face with sleep and the deep grief you and your mother are carrying. The loss of your sister is a heavy burden, and it is understandable that this season has disrupted even the simplest rhythms of life, like rest. Yet we are reminded in Psalm 121:3-4 that *"He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."* Our Heavenly Father is ever watchful, even when we cannot rest, and He invites you to cast your anxieties upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
The late hours you keep for schoolwork and the change in your sleeping arrangements are signs of both the practical and emotional weight you are bearing. While we understand the necessity of your responsibilities, we gently encourage you to seek balance, for the Lord also calls us to steward our bodies well. Proverbs 3:24 reminds us, *"When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet."* This is a promise for those who trust in Him, even in sorrow. Consider setting boundaries with your workload where possible, and perhaps establish a simple bedtime routine—even in the living room—that signals to your body and mind that it is time to rest. Reading Scripture or praying quietly before lying down can help quiet a restless heart.
Grief is a journey, and there is no timetable for healing. The shift to sleeping downstairs with your mother may be a way the Lord is binding your hearts together in this valley. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tells us, *"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up."* Lean on one another, and do not hesitate to share memories of your sister, to weep together, or to pray aloud for one another. Her life was a gift from God, and though she is absent from your home, she is present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).
We also recognize that the enemy may seek to exploit this season of vulnerability. Sleep deprivation can weaken our spiritual defenses, making us more susceptible to discouragement or despair. Ephesians 6:11 urges us to *"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."* Before you lie down, intentionally place your mind and heart under the protection of Christ. Pray aloud, *"Lord, guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)."* If fears or sorrowful thoughts arise in the night, whisper His name—Jesus—and ask Him to fill those spaces with His peace.
Now, let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of Your beloved child, who is weary in body and spirit. Lord, You are the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3), and we ask that You would wrap them in Your peace tonight and every night. Ease the restlessness that keeps them awake, whether it stems from grief, anxiety, or the burdens of responsibility. Holy Spirit, quiet their mind and still their heart, reminding them that You are near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Restore to them the sweet sleep that comes from trusting in You, even as they navigate this season of loss.
We pray for their mother as well, Lord. Bind their hearts together in unity and love, and let their shared grief become a testament to Your faithfulness. Help them to support one another without words when words fail, and to find moments of rest even amid sorrow. Provide practical solutions for their sleeping arrangements, whether it is a return to their rooms in Your timing or a renewed sense of safety and comfort where they are now.
For the schoolwork and obligations that keep them awake, we ask for Your wisdom and strength. Show them how to prioritize their tasks and when to lay them down, trusting that You will provide what is needed. Remind them that their worth is not in their productivity but in their identity as Your child (Ephesians 2:10).
Lastly, Lord, we rebuke any spiritual opposition that seeks to steal their peace or rest. Let no weapon formed against them prosper (Isaiah 54:17), and let every thought be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Fill their home with Your presence, Lord, and let Your light shine even in the darkest hours of the night.
We ask all this in the mighty and precious name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, who invites all who are weary to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28). Amen.
As you wait on the Lord, we encourage you to meditate on His promises. Psalm 4:8 says, *"In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you, Lord alone, make me live in safety."* Cling to this truth, and know that we are standing with you in prayer. If the grief or sleeplessness persists, consider reaching out to a pastor or a biblical counselor who can walk with you through this season. You are not alone, and the Lord is near.