Nighttime Worship: Christian Music for Rest and Peace before Sleep

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God designed us to need rest. He gave us the gift of sleep where our energy is restored, our minds rest, and our bodies recover from the demands of the day. Most of us, however, can report experiencing the occasional restless or sleepless night.

Sleep is so important for all of us, and yet according to healthline.com, one in three Americans isn’t getting the recommended hours of sleep. According to some reports, one in five of us struggles with occasional insomnia, and one in seven has longer episodes.

Music is also one of God’s blessings to us, and it can play a vital role in a healthy sleep routine. Consider incorporating any of the following hymns, worship songs, or compilations in a three-phase plan for better rest. 

Phase 1: During the hour or so before heading to bed, play vocal tracks with familiar words (especially Scripture) and rhythms and tones that soothe you. 

Phase 2: When you get to bed and turn off the light, transition to instrumental tracks to reduce the demand on your mind and signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. 

Phase 3: If you struggle to stay asleep, consider a third phase of switching on a longer compilation of quiet, slow-paced instrumentals. (Prayer and music can be helpful on those occasional nights when you wake up and struggle to return to sleep.)

Here are 10 selections to add to your favorites:

1. It is Well with my Soul

The words of this well-known hymn are familiar, soothing, and grounded in biblical truth. There are numerous online versions from full orchestra and choir to acoustic and instrumental. Consider what version is most effective and pleasing to you and add it to your play list for before bed.

2. Day by Day (and with each passing moment)

This hymn contains rich and calming truths. Consider looking at a hymnal or printing out the words to read as you listen in preparation for bedtime.

“Day by day, and with each passing moment,
 Strength I find to meet my trials here;
 Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
 I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
 He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
 Gives unto each day what He deems best,
 Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
 Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
 With a special mercy for each hour;
 All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
 He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
 The protection of His child and treasure
 Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
 “As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
 This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then, in every tribulation,
 So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
 That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
 Offered me within Thy holy Word.
 Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
 E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
 One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
 Till with Christ the Lord I stand.” (public domain)

3. Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart

There are many musicians bringing new life to old hymns. This version of "Spirit of God" recorded by City Hymns, is an update of this song that can contribute to your evening peace. Even just the first verse reminds us that God is always near.

“Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart,
 wean it from sin, through all its pulses move.
 Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are,
 and make me love you as I ought to love.” (public domain)

4. Goodness of God

How calming is it to spend time before you retire to bed reflecting on God’s goodness in your life? It can be a wonderfully relaxing activity to listen to this song and then read Psalm 23.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.” Psalm 23 ESV

5. Give Me Jesus 

This Fernando Ortega version of "Give Me Jesus" is a particular favorite of mine. The words are a relaxing and assuring but quiet proclamation that Jesus is all we desire and all we need. This makes the ideal reflection prior to turning in for the night.

6. Good to Me

This song has the tones and tempo you’re looking for in a soothing transition song before bed. This recording features a single vocalist and that can be a lovely signal to your body and mind to narrow your focus and release the day.

7. Piano Songs for Peace

This compilation plays soothing piano versions of popular contemporary worship songs and is just two hours long, which is a wonderful playlist to accompany you as you pull up the blanket and close your eyes.

8. 30 Beautiful Relaxing Hymns

If hymns are how you roll, try two hours of instrumental versions of well-known hymns as you drift off to sleep. 

9. Goodness of God Instrumental

If you only want a short period of music as you close your eyes, this saxophone instrumental of "Goodness of God" is just the ticket. Smooth, rich tones with orchestra background will remind your body and mind that God is present and holds you in His hands as you rest. 

Reflect on Psalm 127:2 ESV: 

“It is in vain that you rise up early
     and go late to rest,
 eating the bread of anxious toil;
     for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

10. 8 Hours of Peaceful Guitar

For those who suffer with restlessness throughout the night, here is an 8-hour playlist full of peaceful guitar versions of worship songs accompanied by restful landscapes that runs without midroll ads. Consider this when choosing any playlist for sleep, you’ll want to locate an ad-free version so your mind isn’t disturbed when your favorite worship song is suddenly followed by a jingle for laundry detergent!

The truth is that God does want us to enjoy sleep and rest. He is our loving Father and our watchful Shepherd. As you listen to your choice of bedtime music, it can also be calming to reflect on the first part of Psalm 46:10 ESV, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Slowly recite these 8 words. Then, recite 7, “Be still, and know that I am.” Then, recite 4, “Be still, and know.” Next, recite 2, “Be still.” Finally, recite 1, “Be.” As you meditate on this verse, inhale and exhale slowly to clue in your body and your mind that you are trusting God as you lay yourself down to sleep.

May God grant you deep sleep and restorative rest.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/BrilliantEye

Lori Stanley Roeleveld is a writer, coach, speaker, and disturber of hobbits. She’s authored seven encouraging, challenging books, including Running from a Crazy Man, The Art of Hard Conversations, and God’s Abundant Mercy 40 Days of Living in His Compassion. She speaks her mind at www.loriroeleveld.com.