Writing in medias res: Stefanie Freele's sprinting exercise, part 3

Here's the last writing exercise and sample from Stefanie Freele's workshop:

a) Begin with "she always/he typically/it usually" to sneak in the back story first:

He typically prayed in the middle of the night while the children were sleeping. Above the din of their snores in the next bedroom, he would sit, head rested in hands, body rocking on hard wood floor.

b) Write a few sentences, starting with "tonight"-- back to present action.

Tonight he was restless. The words wouldn't come. They felt stiff, caught at the back of his throat as if it had swelled shut.