We have taught little children some simple poems or songs at be=
dtime, to settle mind and body for the coming night. I personally repeat th=
e Jewish bedtime prayer I learned as a lad, “Father, into Thy hands I=
commend my spirit” (famous among Christians, too, as used by our Lor=
d Jesus as He dismissed His spirit on the cross). Friends said their =
bedtime prayer began, “Now I lay me down to sleep . . .” =
in 1676, during the reign of James II of England when true Christia=
n faith was attacked and restoration of Catholicism promoted, Bishop Thomas=
Ken stood against the king. This pastor/professor was imprisoned in the To=
wer of London to be tried for treason! He wrote in his book of poetry=
a series of prayers.
This prayer was personal – it was HIS p=
rayer each night, facing the uncertainty of his own life as he went to slee=
p, not knowing his fate. I love it still today as I pillow my head with the=
natural uncertainty that old age brings, not knowing what (or if) the nigh=
t might bring. The line, “teach me to live, that I may dread th=
e grave as little as my bed” speaks volumes to my heart. And we =
have loved the final verse of his praise, often added to the “Old Hun=
dreth” in the Scottish Psalter and as a “Doxology”, havin=
g sung that with family for decades.
All praise to Thee, my God, th=
is night,
For all the blessings of the light!
Keep me, O keep me=
, King of kings,
Beneath Thine own almighty wings.
Forgive me, Lord,=
for Thy dear Son,
The ill that I this day have done,
That with the w=
orld, myself, and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.=
Teach me to live=
, that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed.
Teach me to di=
e, that so I may
Rise glorious at the judgment day.
=
O may my so=
ul on Thee repose,
And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close,Sleep that may me more vigorous make
To serve my God when I a=
wake.
When in the night I sleepless lie,
My soul with heav’n=
ly thoughts supply.
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
No p=
ow’rs of darkness me molest.
O when shall I, in endless day=
,
Forever chase dark sleep away,
And hymns divine with ange=
ls sing,
All praise to Thee, eternal King?
Praise God, from Whom all bles=
sings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Prai=
se Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and H=
oly Ghost.
In 2025, I am going to pray this every night as I pi=
llow my head, one day closer to heaven.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.grif.net
"Jesus Knows=
Me, This I Love!"