Prayers and Visualization
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
United States
November 16, 2007 8:51am CST
I was talking to one of my clients yesterday about the fact that I wake in the wee morning hours and find it difficult to get back to sleep. She has ALS and often wakes in the night and can't go back to sleep. She told me that she will start saying her prayers and often falls back to sleep before she has finished. Or, she will visualize going on a trip to a place that she has enjoyed going to. She said she starts by visualizing herself getting up in the morning, doing her morning routine, packing for the trip, driving to her destination, going to her motel room, unpacking and donning her ski garments. She said that often times she is heading for the ski lift or is on the ski lift and is off to sleep before she can get to the actual skiing.
Last night was another one of those nights where I woke at 5:00 and my eyes wouldn't shut. I began to pray. At first I thought that my prayers for those in need would leave me more awake, but my client was right, I fell asleep. I can't wait to thank her for her advise.
5 people like this
10 responses
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
16 Nov 07
Prayer really does change things, Elusive. I often drift off to sleep while I am praying at night also. Another method I've found useful is singing to myself(not aloud) some of the gospel songs I grew up singing in church. They still have the power to lull me into a relaxing frame of mind. Sometimes I will remember one that I have not thought of for years. I no longer attend church but I am still very spiritual in my heart.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
16 Nov 07
When my first hubby was ill, at the end when he was awake so much, I would just sit and sing to him from our hymnal and it brought him so much comfort. Music is sooo good for us, and touches us in so many other ways.
2 people like this
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
16 Nov 07
That is good advise. I think I will try it the next time I have a hard time going to sleep. I do more often then I should really. Espically on the days I get up to go to my physical thearpy or to a doctor. I guess I worry about how things will be.
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
16 Nov 07
I always tend to fret more when I have an appointment the next day and cannot sleep as well the night before.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
16 Nov 07
I know it is God that brings the calming effect and soothes us back into slumber. He lifts that weight that burdens us and allows us to rest.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
16 Nov 07
That has always been a sure remedy for me. Someone once told me that that was because I had a clear conscience, but I do not think that is it. Others have said that Satan wants to stop you from praying, so he puts you to sleep. The other thing is that I believe it causes you to tap into a deeper type of brainwaves, that allows you to sleep. Who cares WHY it works, it is just that it does work. I wish you many good nights' sleep.
3 people like this
@sweetgirl_k1 (3972)
• United States
16 Nov 07
I'm glad it worked for you. I've said my prayers like that before too and fell back asleep. I've never tried the visualization though. I might have to try that next time that I can't fall back asleep---I think I'll be taking a trip to the beach then. LOL
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
16 Nov 07
A trip to the beach is great! Maybe we will pass by each other one day!
2 people like this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
16 Nov 07
I've done this sort of thing ever since I was in elementary shool. I've never had an easy time falling asleep so I woul tell myslf stories or put myself in a story as if I was somewhere far away doing some intersting thing. It always helped to get my troubles out of my head so I could fall asleep peacefully.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
16 Nov 07
I often used visualization to keep my mind of my troubles. It works for a short time.
2 people like this
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
16 Nov 07
Prayer is a way that we have of getting in touch with the Infinite (or whatever you call him/her/it). It works however one chooses to frame one's beliefs, so long as one believes in something like that. Although many (perhaps most) people pray FOR something or someone, one is really just saying hello to that greater power of which we are a part. One way of thinking of it is to say that we are telling our concerns and cares and troubles to that greater thing (a 'universal parent'?) and that, in itself, allows us to let go of our worries and to relax into sleep.
I don't feel guilty about going to sleep before finishing my prayers. Since I believe in a personal God who loves us, why should I? He surely knows us intimately and knows all of our concerns (and answers our prayers) even before we voice them! My image is of myself as a tired child recounting my daily pleasures and troubles to a parent who knows and understands. It is the final joy of feeling to be in His arms that allows one to sleep.
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
16 Nov 07
I am glad it worked. It is strange the things we can find that work, without meds. The fewer meds. we take the better off we are.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
16 Nov 07
I have tried Tylenol PM and it only makes me feel groggy. I lay there with my eyes wide open and my body feeling fuzzy, wide awake.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Nov 07
I have a variety of visualization and meditation tapes and CDs. They are wonderful for helping me get to sleep. Prayer has helped me, too. Usually when someone is going to have an operation or going through a rough time.
2 people like this
@BlueStarMom1 (931)
• United States
18 Nov 07
I also have trouble with waking up in the middle of the night and this sounds like the best remedy I have ever heard of. I will try it. I always say my prayers before I go to sleep and have noticed that I get so sleepy when I do. I will try doing this the next time I wake up unexpectedly. I don't guess God minds hearing from us more than once a day. LOL.
