Our Sleep and God's Glory

How to pray and what to pray for have always been questions. Luke tells us that Jesus gave the Lord's Prayer after a disciple asked Jesus to teach them to pray. Here is an prayer offered at the close of day by John Calvin, who did so much to articulate the unique theology of the Reformed Tradition:

Lord God, since you have made the night for man to rest as you have created the day for his work, I ask you to give my body a restful night and to grant that my soul may be lifted up to you and my heart always filled with your love.

Teach me, O God, to entrust all my cares to you and constantly to remember your mercy, so that my soul may also enjoy spiritual rest. Let not my sleep be excessive, but let it serve to renew my strength so I may be ore ready to serve you. May it please you also to keep me pure in body and in spirit, preserving me from all temptations and all danger, so that my very sleep may contribute to the glory of your name.

And since this day has not passed without my having offended you in several ways, I who am a poor sinner make this request. Grant, O God, that just as thou hast now hid all things in the shadows of night, you will also bury all my sins in your mercy, through Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen