Our Father,
We come to our beds, laying down this infant and receiving your gift of sleep.
We confess our sins: our anger towards your image-bearers, our inward-focus, our grasping for control. We ask for forgiveness.
We admit our need for rest, laying aside what is undone to receive the pattern of rest you have provided. We acknowledge that our work here will never be finished, yet we cease from it knowing the work of Christ to save is work that will be completed in us, His workmanship.
We ask, as we seek relief from our weariness, that you provide us with our needful rest so that tomorrow we may walk in your ways as we live what you have prepared for us. We ask for compassion towards one another and our infant in the long hours of the night, and joyful acceptance of whatever you bring to us in the dark and in the light. Guard our hearts and minds in the wakeful hours of the night that we may not worry or despair, but have your peace in our sleepless state.
As in sleep we cease our vigilance, so also we relinquish control, entrusting ourselves to your ever-watchful care. We praise you for every breath of this day and your protection of us in it. Guard this fragile infant that you have entrusted to us. We pray that one day s/he may come to know the true, lasting rest of Christ’s salvation, as now we embrace the temporary, fleeting minutes you provide for us tonight.
Amen.
Kyleigh Dunn 