Up All Night
“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12)
When was the last time you were up all night? The first time was prom night, and afterwards a group of us went out to breakfast at an all night diner and watched the sunrise. It was bittersweet because we knew we each now had different paths. I’ve been up all night with a sick child, or by the hospital bedside of someone who just had surgery. There have been a few times I was up all night (or almost) tossing and turning because I couldn’t sleep. Worry or angst over something wouldn’t release itself from my brain. A few times pain has kept me from sleeping. But praying all night?
This passage in Luke’s Gospel says Jesus went out to pray. In other words, He physically removed Himself from others. He sought solitude. He wanted an undisturbed conversation with His Father because He knew the next day He’d choose his apostles and start his ministry in earnest.
He went out to the mountain. He exerted effort. He took action. He didn’t let the butterflies take control in his stomach, or let the vise grip of worry clamp onto his head. He went to the source of His strength, and His peace. Like we take our cars to the gas station before a road trip, He went to refuel His spirit for what laid ahead.
Once when on a women’s retreat, we all had a gift on our pillows when we arrived at the cabin. It was a piece of candy and a card. Mine said, “Sleep well. I am in control. – GOD.” Another woman’s said, “Give it to Me, I’ll be up all night anyway. – GOD.” I still have mine framed by my clock radio. If I awaken in the night and crane my head to see the time, I see that card. Even in the dark, I know what it says and it gives me comfort.
Do you have a Bible verse or message? Jesus is always praying for us all night. He intercedes for us in Heaven, 24/7/365. Hebrews 7:25 states, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
Perhaps that night with His Father he wasn’t so much praying for Himself as He was for the apostles He’d choose and the people who’d hear His words. Tonight, tomorrow night and for all your days and nights, He lives to intercede for you. Give it all to Him- He is up all night anyway.
Questions: What keep you up at night? Does it help to know Jesus is up all night praying for you? What if you spent the time praying instead of worrying?
Tags: anxiety, awake, Devotional, Julie Cosgrove, night, Women, worry
13 Responses to “Up All Night”
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“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”… I just love this Scripture, and I thank you for a beautiful devotional, Julie. Your words drew me right into the heart of God and I long to go and spend time with Him, as you reminded me of how peaceful and serene it is in the Secret Place of the Most High!
Thanks to each of you for your comments, as well; I very much enjoyed reading them all! The sound of an all-night prayer group is awesome, Barbara!
Thanks Linda b/c with only that small amount of sleep, i had a very good day and now i know why! Bless you!
Thanks for the interesting devotional and everyones comments. I can’t sleep at night either. I do pray for different people…example Trisha I can remember specifically praying that you would have a Good Day at work this past Saturday…but I pray and still can’t sleep…I try to be silent before The Lord so He can speak to me but my mind just won’t seem to stop going and going. It is not that I am worry about anything I just find it so difficult to sleep. But I will try to remember that God is awake all night praying for me…thanks again! Hugs, Linda
What a blessing! I thank God so much for this devotional. I get these sent to my work e-mail address every day, because I check it most often. Long story short, work has been so stressful and awful that words can’t even describe how my life is going right now. The neatest thing about this message today is that I have been forced to work the overnight shift lately- against my will. I love this message, and I will forward it to everyone I know!
I really needed to read this entry. I’ve been having trouble sleeping for the past few nights and thinking about the fact that Jesus is always praying for me helps tremendously. God bless you
this write up has really blessed me tremendously. God bless you all for the good work He has given you grace to accomplish
Thank you for this devotional.It is a good reminder that God is control of ALL things and He longs for us to give our concerns to Him.Thank you Father that you are up all night praying for me and I can rest assured in that.
Julie, i was up all night last Friday. i started out being tired yet when i got in the bed, within a few minutes, i was awake again. This hadn’t happened in awhile. Sometimes, the LORD has some deep cleansing work to do and knows He has my undivided attention when i can’t sleep. He was digging way down deep into my heart about a certain subject and i suppose i could’ve gotten up and put the TV on, or put one of my Christian CD’s on yet i went with it. It became extremely uncomfortable to me when i didn’t want to think about things anymore as i watched the hours tick away on my bedside table. That’s when i became anxious b/c i had work the next day! i was like,”LORD, i really don’t want to think about this anymore”. HE was trying to get me to admit some feelings and come out of denial. This went on till 4:00 in the morning. The LORD assured me the Holy Spirit would refresh me for the day. i fell asleep for 3 hrs and had to get up. The LORD kept His promise and i did remarkably well this day to get through a very stressful work shift at my weekend job. Sometimes the Master has to get our attention in those “wee hours of the morning”. ~Blessings.
Thank you! I find it the hardest to hand over to God what he really should be worring about. It struck me just this morning that I I don’t start handing over my troubles to him how can he help me. Failure to do so allows evil to come in and play tricks on us and worsen any problems we have.
What a challenge the reading is! I used to belong to an all-night prayer group. It was amazing. I grew so much spiritually and my prayer life was so in tune with God. My prayer partners felt this also. I yearn for an all-night prayer group – someone with whom l could pray. I find it hard sometimes, as l yearn for someone to pray with. I think l shall now start to pray for a partner with whom l can pray. God put this desire in my heart l firmly believe, and He will answer me, that l know. So, thank you for today’s reading. God bless you – Barbara
I love this devotional because I have a tendency to worry alot. I want my prayer life to improve because to tell the truth, i always pray in fear. I want my Mommy safe and ask God each morning to keep her safe. I pray that my dog doesn’t get in the road or get loose from me. Anyway, as i said, i like this devotional. God bless you and have a nice day.
i really wanted to keep up at night, and want to pray cuz I believe God is there when you have time for pray at night..
I really loved this. Jesus prayed all night before making a very important decision. I need to pray more and leave everything in HIS hands and HE will do in HIS time. Praise the Lord!