An influential friend once told me that a measure of your level of spiritual peace is how well you’re sleeping.
That made a ton of sense to me. Much later I learned to break the Lord’s Prayer into its phrases and use that as a basis for what is called adoration prayer. Adoration prayer reflects with your Heavenly Father about His greatness, speaking His attributes, reflecting on His goodness and power and being thankful that in that greatness He loves and cares for even such a wretched sinner as me. What I’ve found is that once I’ve trained myself to do this as my last conscious communication before sleep, I sleep well. Others agree that this has helped them. Then, just now, I read this:
“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” (Proverbs 3:19-26 ESV)
It’s like a guide for what I’ve learned and practiced. It’s a fruitful Christian discipline.
Reflect on God before your slumber and enjoy sweet sleep.
kingdom travelin' 