I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4.8

Life Together
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)
“Finally, in all the ancient evening prayers we are struck by the frequency with which we encounter the prayer for preservation during the night from the devil, from terror, and from an evil, sudden death. The ancients had a persistent sense of man’s helplessness while sleeping, of the kinship of sleep with death, of the devil’s cunning in making a man fall when he is defenseless. So they prayed for the protection of the holy angels and their golden weapons, for the heavenly hosts, at the time when Satan would gain power over them.”

Our oldest daughter once complained to me that, every time she tried to pray just before going to bed, she fell asleep while praying. “And that’s a bad thing?” I asked. What parent would not delight to have his child fall asleep in his arms, prattling away about how much the child loves him, what a good day she’d had, how she’s thankful to know that her parents protect and provide for her, and so on? Fall asleep in prayer at the end of the day, and you’ll wake up ready for it in the morning. Prayer before you go to sleep can be an excellent time to review the day past and prepare for the day to come – as well as to implore the Lord’s safe-keeping for a restful night.

What is your approach to prayer just before you retire at night?

T. M. Moore

Prayer for Revival
This year we would like to increase the number of groups of men joining to pray for revival. Four groups are currently meeting, but we’d like to start more. If you’re interested in joining an existing group, or would like to help start a new group, send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and I’ll be in touch.

Help for your prayers
Order the book, The Poetry of Prayer, and work through the helpful exercises included there to strengthen and increase your time with the Lord in prayer (click here).

Thanks to those of you who support our work with your prayers and gifts. Our heavenly Father supports The Fellowship of Ailbe through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.