Long Sleep Meditation In The Christian Tradition - 10 Hours

Dear friends,

This is an evening meditation based on prayers in the Christian tradition as an aid to restful sleep.

I hope that its benefit will be enjoyed by people of many different faiths and none,

As we all come to rest from the labours of the day and give thanks for all that is.

The meditation begins with some well known prayers,

Including one segment of the Rosary,

Which is a mantra type prayer usually recited on a set of beads known as Rosary beads,

And the history of this prayer goes back to the 16th century.

The segment of the Rosary which is included in this meditation is the part where people reflect on joyful incidents in the life of Jesus.

Now since this meditation is designed for restful sleep,

It's intended for use when you've set yourself down to retire for the night.

It's not meant to be used for example in a chair or somewhere where you haven't carried out the usual precautions associated with going to bed for the night.

So make sure you're lying down comfortably.

This is your time to relax.

Day is done and we've done our best.

Anything that remains undone can have attention tomorrow or whenever or if ever it needs attention.

So leave aside any of the cares of the day.

Relax and allow everything to simply be.

Close your eyes,

Take in a deep breath,

Giving thanks for this day coming to an end.

And if there are any concerns on your mind,

Let them fall out of your mind with each out breath.

Relax,

Just relax.

You might find it helpful to recall one or two things which might have happened during the day and for which you're grateful.

Now we're not looking for great successes or achievements,

Wonderful as these might be when they occasionally arise.

No,

Our daily gratitude reflections have to do with the simple things.

These simple things without which today would have been more difficult.

For each of these ordinary everyday benefits we give thanks.

We'll begin with some well-known prayers but before that a reminder that the background music will continue right through,

Making for a total recording time of 10 hours from beginning to end.

So you will wake up in the morning with the same relaxing music bringing you to the start of a new day.

And don't worry if you fall asleep during the rosary.

There are separate recordings of each of the Mysteries of the Rosary available here on Insight Timer.

And you can include them in your prayers in your own time if you wish.

Our opening prayer,

And this is with thanks to John Ellerton who passed away in 1893.

He is the person who wrote these words.

The day thou gavest Lord is ended.

The darkness falls at thy behest.

To thee our mourning hymns ascended.

Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

We thank thee that thy church unsleeping,

While earth rolls onward into light,

Through all the world her watch is keeping,

And rests not now by day or night.

As o'er each continent and island the dawn leads on another day.

The voice of prayer is never silent,

Nor dies the strain of praise away.

The sun that bids us rest is waking our brethren neath the western sky,

And hour by hour fresh lips are making thy wondrous doings heard on high.

So be it Lord,

Thy throne shall never like earth's proud empires pass away.

Thy kingdom stands and grows forever,

Till all thy creatures on thy sway.

Words there from the wonderful John Ellerton who composed very many hymns and who passed away in 1893.

And now some well-known prayers in the Christian tradition,

Beginning with the sign of the cross.

In the name of the Father,

And of the Son,

And of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

First,

The paternoster,

The Our Father.

Our Father,

Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

Amen.

And the Our Father is usually followed by the Hail Mary,

The angelic salutation as it's called.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners,

Now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

And the Gloria.

Glory be to the Father,

And to the Son,

And to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning,

Is now,

And ever shall be.

World without end.

Amen.

There is another well-known prayer to Mary,

The Salve Regina.

Hail Holy Queen,

Mother of Mercy.

Hail our life,

Our sweetness,

And our hope.

To thee do we cry,

Poor banished children of Eve.

To thee do we send up our sighs,

Mourning and weeping,

In this valley of tears.

Turn then,

Most gracious Advocate,

Thine eyes of mercy toward us.

And after this our exile,

Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

O Clement,

O Loving,

O Sweet Virgin Mary.

And there is another well-known prayer to Mary,

The Mother of Jesus,

The Memorare.

Remember,

O most gracious Virgin Mary,

That never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,

Implored thy help,

Or sought thine intercession,

Was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence,

I fly unto thee,

O Virgin of Virgins,

My Mother.

To thee do I come.

Before thee I stand,

Sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate,

Despise not my petitions,

But in thy mercy,

Hear and answer me.

You may have childhood memories of this prayer.

O Angel of God,

My guardian dear,

To whom God's love commits me here.

Ever this night,

Be at my side,

To light and guard,

To rule and guide.

Amen.

And then there is the Sanctus.

Holy,

Holy,

Holy,

Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Saint Francis of Assisi gives us the well-known prayer for peace.

Lord,

Make me an instrument of your peace.

While there is hatred,

Let me sow love.

While there is injury,

Pardon.

While there is doubt,

Faith.

While there is despair,

Hope.

While there is darkness,

Light.

While there is sadness,

Joy.

O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

The prayer for peace by Saint Francis of Assisi.

And now Saint Patrick gives us this prayer,

Saint Patrick's breastplate.

Christ with me.

Christ before me.

Christ behind me.

Christ in me.

Christ beneath me.

Christ above me.

Christ on my right.

Christ on my left.

Christ when I lie down.

Christ when I sit down.

Christ when I arise.

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me.

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.

Christ in every eye that sees me.

Christ in every ear that hears me.

Saint Patrick's breastplate.

And a final prayer now before we move on to the Rosary.

This is a prayer from Cardinal Newman who passed away in 1890.

May he support us all the day long till the shades lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done.

Then in his mercy may he give us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last.

And now the Rosary and in this meditation the Joyful Mysteries.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

O Lord,

Open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise.

O God,

Come to my aid.

O Lord,

Make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

As it was in the beginning,

Is now and ever shall be,

World without end.

Amen.

In reciting the prayer,

The following five events are contemplated in turn.

The first joyful mystery,

The Annunciation.

The angel announces to Mary that she was to become the mother of Jesus.

Our Father,

Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

As it was in the beginning,

Is now and ever shall be,

World without end.

Amen.

The second joyful mystery.

Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth.

Elizabeth greets Mary with words which have become the first part of the prayer known as the Hail Mary.

Our Father,

Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

As it was in the beginning,

Is now and ever shall be,

World without end.

Amen.

The third joyful mystery,

The birth of Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem.

Our Father,

Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

As it was in the beginning,

Is now and ever shall be,

World without end.

Amen.

The fourth joyful mystery,

The presentation of the baby Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem.

Our Father,

Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Glory be to the Father,

And to the Son,

And to the Holy Spirit,

As it was in the beginning,

Is now,

And ever shall be,

World without end.

Amen.

And the fifth joyful mystery,

The finding of the child Jesus in the temple,

He having been lost for three days.

Our Father,

Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,

Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

As it was in the beginning,

Is now and ever shall be,

World without end.

Amen.

Hail Holy Queen,

Mother of Mercy,

Hail our life,

Our sweetness and our hope.

To you do we cry,

Poor banished children of Eve.

To you do we send up our sighs,

Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then,

Most gracious Advocate,

Your eyes of mercy toward us,

And after this our exile,

Show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb,

Jesus.

O clement,

O loving,

O sweet Virgin Mary.

May the divine assistance remain always with us,

And may the souls of the faithful departed,

Through the mercy of God,

Rest in peace.

Amen.

In the name of the Father,

And of the Son,

And of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

And now for you a final blessing,

Before the music leads you into the start of a new day.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,

And be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,

And give you peace.

Amen.