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.
Simple words my mother taught me. A child’s prayer means more to me today than ever in my life. Although simple, the prayer is significant in its meaning. When I lay down and sleep, I am in an inactive state, and I become vulnerable. My defenses are down, and I lay in a state of regeneration that God himself designed me to do. I am not conscious of the world as it continues to move, of time as it continues to pass, or of danger that may lurk near. The prayer reminds me that in this state, my Heavenly Father watches over what is essential about me; that is the safety of my soul. The scripture says it this way in Psalm 35:15, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry.”
He watches as I sleep, and I am confident that if I do not wake up to this world, I will wake up in His eternity. The security of knowing that He is the keeper of my soul, and the Omega of my life is both comforting, and it removes fear from my heart.
It is reassuring to know that even in a defenseless state, should my body not respond to the stimulus to wake, He is there to guard over my soul. He exists beyond this world and has a prepared place of rest for us. He is the sustainer of our souls and the master of our fates.
Psalm 3 says, “I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.” My heavenly Father watches over me.
Consider This Monthly Devotional 
I say this simple prayer nightly. I am reminded, now more than ever, that God alone is my sustainer. I choose to trust God. Hallelujah! Amen!
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It is indeed reassuring. Amen.
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Knowing the truth about God and how he cares for us should be comforting to us all. It is so sobering to be reminded of how vulnerable and dependent we are when we are sleeping.
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