“Every time we go to bed,” wrote Jonathan Parnell for desiring God, “we humbly admit again that the world will be fine without us for a while.” Moreover, “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep,” gives authority over to God. Sleep not only aids our physical function, but keeps our souls humble. As simple as this prayer is, it’s importance is paramount. Sleep is built into the fabric of human functioning. Though there are many different formats and favorite prayers, there isn’t a specific way we have to pray in order for God to hear us. We can talk to Him, conversationally, through prayer. We can simply ask God for forgiveness, through prayer. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we no longer need to be shielded from God’s presence by the temple curtain, or offer animal sacrifices to atone for our sins. As members of the family of God, we can all relate to the need we have for Jesus to soothe our minds as we toss restlessly at night. Lord, keep my soul, the prayer suggests, for if the author remained tight-fisted with his own soul unrest would be inevitable. No amount of worry or toiling will achieve the peace and rest we experience in Christ. “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep,” seeks peaceful sleep, rest that comes only from the Lord. Photo Credit: © Getty/Mladen-Zivkovic The Meaning and Significance of "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" On a World War I poster advertising Government Bonds, the prayer was written in this way: This prayer has become a part of human history, being shortened, lengthened and adapted to various circumstances and seasons. Instead of looking to the LORD, God’s people choose to look to a human being, albeit a king, for answers and security, which is beyond any king’s capability to secure in comparison to the One True God. David wrote Psalm 4 about throwing false security, and even blame for circumstances beyond a king’s control, on the king (NIV Study Bible). This prayer has many notable influences from Psalm 4, perhaps from the influence of Addison’s upbringing. His literary fame was perhaps launched in 1704 by a poem he was given the opportunity to write, “The Campaign,” which commemorated the WWI battle, “Battle of Blenheim.” With many dire straights littering the landscape of his country, the world, and his personal life, I personally wonder if the prayer was a common heart cry of his own to God. Written in The Spectator by Joseph Addison:Īddison, son of a reverend and a literary presence and politician in England, co-founded The Spectator magazine. Shortened from the classic 18th Century prayer, “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” has been traced as far back as 1711. Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Romolo Tavani Historically, this prayer has also been adapted from another prayer and nursery rhyme called the “Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,” or the “Black Paternoster:” However, longer versions of this prayer exist, originating in the 17th century, like the following: The version of this prayer most of us are familiar with reads: Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Prostock Studio This popular prayer reminds us to “pray continually,” trusting our souls and our lives into the hands of our Good Father as we sleep each night.
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