The Night I Met Insomnia: A Lesson on Prayer

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7







It all started innocently enough—just a slight cough and catarrh. It was my 300-level first semester, and exams had begun in full force. I had back-to-back papers, so I couldn’t afford to fall sick. Determined to avoid illness, I visited the school clinic and was given some medication.

Now, on a normal day, I hate taking pills. But this was no ordinary time—my success in these exams would determine if I’d qualify for teaching practice in my final year. So, I put my dislike for pills aside and took the medicine as soon as I returned to my hostel.

That evening, I prepared for my midnight reading session, hoping the drugs wouldn’t knock me out completely. But little did I know I was in for a night I’d never forget.


A Night to Remember

I felt fine at first. The medication seemed to work—my cough and catarrh eased. But as evening turned into night, sleep became a distant memory. Insomnia had come to stay, and for the first time, I truly understood what it felt like.

From 6 PM to 6 AM, I remained wide awake. But that wasn’t the worst part. Around 10 PM, a sharp pain settled in my chest, making it difficult to breathe. I’m not asthmatic, but that night, I couldn’t inhale or exhale properly. The pain was so intense I had to clutch my chest tightly to cope.

I couldn’t pray. I could barely think. All I could do was hold my Bible to my chest and prepare for the worst. In my mind, I had already begun imagining missing my exams, failing the semester, and even facing an extra year.


When I Couldn’t Pray for Myself

At 3 AM, desperate and overwhelmed, I called my parents. They were miles away, but they prayed for me over the phone. My dad gave me a Psalm to read, and I held on to it as best as I could. I also reached out to a sister in the faith, who prayed fervently with me until her airtime ran out.

Later, I learned my parents didn’t stop praying for me until dawn. While I couldn’t utter a prayer for myself, God surrounded me with intercessors who carried me in my weakest moment.


A Miracle Morning

At 6 AM, something amazing happened—I dozed off. It wasn’t planned, and I didn’t even realize I had fallen asleep until I woke up around 6:30 AM. And when I woke, the pain was gone.

Though I was physically weak from the ordeal, I had peace—a peace I still can’t fully explain. I wrote my exams that day and continued with the rest of my papers, though I remained unwell for weeks after. By God’s grace, I passed every single one.


The Power of Prayer and Intercession

That night taught me a profound lesson: Prayer is powerful, and it’s not something to turn to only in moments of crisis.

There’s nothing wrong with having fun or hanging out with friends, but ask yourself:

How many of your friends can you call on in a spiritual emergency to pray with or for you?

Prayer shouldn’t be your spare tire—something you turn to only when everything else has failed. Instead, it should be your steering wheel, guiding your every step.


Reflection and Encouragement






  • Who are your prayer partners? Surround yourself with people who can lift you in prayer when you’re too weak to pray for yourself.

  • How often do you pray? Make prayer a daily habit, not just an emergency response.


Remember, the Bible says in James 5:16, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Don’t underestimate the power of prayer—whether it’s yours or someone else’s on your behalf.


If you’ve experienced a moment where prayer—yours or someone else’s—made a difference in your life, share your story in the comments below. Let’s encourage each other in faith!



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