Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:5, ESV
We all know this classic bedtime prayer for children and the majority of us have probably said it.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
There is also a slightly different ending for those children with fears about death.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May God guard me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Since the first publishing of this printed prayer in the New England Primer in 1737, children have uttered these words globally as they lay their tired little heads down and close their weary eyes. The prayer was taught to encourage faith and to promote reading.
This is actually a very deep and impactful prayer for a young child or adult. Here we are asking the Creator of the universe to watch over us as we sleep. He promises to take care of us in Proverbs 3:24, (ESV). If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Should any life-threatening event transpire while sleeping, the request is right there: Take me back home to be with You. Children are not able to grasp this concept but as adults, all of us have had the thoughts about dying peacefully while we sleep. That’s the way to go!
How fascinating that at 73-years-old, I can still remember speaking these words every night with a parent or grandparent. I can still see myself in the double bed at the old farm. There was always a good-night kiss, three special words, “I love you!” and that safe feeling after being tucked in. We still find the same kind of love and security in Him today.
Children recite these words but how about us? Is it possible that our faith grew deeper every day because of this little prayer? Every night we said it and each morning we felt grateful that God’s angels were present through the darkest hours. Our faith deepened over the years and we know His commitment to us never ends.
He still sends His angels out to keep us safe. The Holy Spirit guides us. He loves each and every one of us to the max.
Loving Lord, thank You for child-like faith that has brought us to today. Teach us to truly believe in the prayers we recite. AMEN.