now I lay me down to sleep

It’s my birthday today! I’d planned on sharing a different sort of reflection in honor of turning one year older, but both lovely social connection and challenging illness got in the way. So I offer this prayer I wrote several years ago and send you all love and gratitude.

prayer

Prayer before bed or over a nightmare:
(If said with a child, have the child repeat each line.)

You are the God of darkness and light.
You are with me when I am awake
and when I am asleep.

Everywhere I go, you are already there,
even in my dreams.

You are in my breath—(hand on stomach)
in … out …
in … out …

You are in my heartbeat—(hand on chest)
beat … beat …
beat … beat …

You will never leave me. 
You hold me in your arms.
I rest in your love.

reflection

The pain in the world ebbs and flows, but these days it feels like there’s a good deal more flowing than ebbing. Fear has a way of clawing at the heart even when the brain says we are safe. Whether there are children in your life or you simply encounter your own inner child, this prayer can offer the heart a calm respite before bed.

practice

Try using this prayer or another regulating one before bed a couple times during the next week.