Bedtime Prayers

Ed and I have always bragged about how well Mary Addison goes to bed. Be it naps or bedtime, we simply put her in the bed, turn off the lights, turn on the sound machine, and close the door. On Friday of last week, however, something snapped. She was petrified to go to bed, didn't want the lights out, didn't want us to leave, etc. She has been having really bad dreams for about 6 months, but she has always just gone right back to sleep. We don't know if that is what is causing her to be fearful, or what. The past two nights she has slept with a lamp (a very bright lamp)on. Tonight, I started the bedtime process at 7:30. At 8:15 she was still awake. I had left the room with her in tears and waited for about 15 minutes while she cried a river. I went back in and read her some books, leaving the room again with her crying. I shut the door and started down the stairs when I just felt the need to pray for her to calm down and find peace and comfort in her room. I had not been praying for 15 seconds when the crying stopped. I continued to pray for about 5 minutes, never again hearing a whimper. It's been 15 minutes and I have yet to hear a sound. Thank you, Lord, for answering prayers so quickly, and in such a tangible way. If only we would ask more often and expect Him to answer!