SkiesChristian meditation
A Christian meditation for sleep
A slow bedtime meditation on two psalms of rest, to help you hand the day to God and let go.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
A Christian sleep meditation pairs slow breathing with short phrases of Scripture, such as “I will lie down and sleep in peace” (Psalm 4:8) and “your Protector will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3), so your last thoughts of the day rest on God rather than your worries.
The meditation
- Lie down and get comfortable. Put your phone face down, or start a Sleep reading with a timer.
- Breathe slowly. In for four counts, out for six. Do it five times.
- Hand over the day. Name what is on your mind, one thing at a time, and say: “Lord, I give you this.”
- Pray Psalm 4:8 slowly. Breathe in: “I will lie down and sleep in peace.” Breathe out: “for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
- Remember Psalm 121. “Your Protector will not slumber.” God is awake, so you can rest, even if sleep is slow to come. Lying awake is not a failure of faith.
- Let go. If thoughts come back, return to the breath and the verse. No need to finish.
If you still can’t sleep
This meditation can be part of a bedtime routine, but it isn’t a treatment. If you struggle to sleep most nights, please talk to a doctor.
Read it in the Bible
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:1–4
