Good evening!
As our day draws to a close our journey brings us to a point of reflection and preparation for tomorrow.
If you’re just joining me on this journey toward renewing our minds and improving our self-discipline, I invite you to read my article “Morning and Evening: A New Self Discipline Journey” to learn more about why I am doing this, and how this may benefit you as well.
With that said, let’s take this time to reflect on our day.
Breathing Exercise
Before we begin let us take some deep breaths to release stress, calm our minds and prepare us for this evenings reflection. You can take a few moments to breathe on your own or use the following video to guide you through a breathing exercise. This one is similar to the one from our morning discipline, but is self guided.
Music For Reflection
I personally like to have some soft music in the background, so if that’s something you like as well below you will find a song you can play for the duration of our time ttogether.
Prayer of Reflection
Now that we’re calm, and have let the worries of the day go, let us transition into a time of prayer.
Over the next few minutes you can pray on your own or feel free to use the following prayer:
Dear God,
As I lay me down to sleep, relax the tension of my body; calm the restlessness of my mind; still the thoughts which worry and perplex me. Help me to rest myself and all my problems in your strong and loving arms.
Let your Spirit break to my mind and heart while I am asleep, so that, when I wake up in the morning, I may find that I have received in the night-time, light for my way; strength for my tasks; peace for my worries; forgiveness for my sins.
Grant me sleep tonight, and tomorrow power to live.
Amen
Source: Evening Prayers | Prayer Before Sleep
Affirmations for Reflection
Affirmations are one way we can speak to our minds and remind ourselves of who we are in God and what He wants to do through us. Sometimes, when we struggle to let go of the days troubles it takes the words of our lips to speak His refreshment to our minds and help us find rest.
Here are a few affirmations for this evening that you can speak over this time of rest.
As you read through them, repeat each one out loud at least three times before moving to the next. Take your time. Close your eyes and say them to yourself as well. Let these words sink into your heart and mind this evening:
- My mind is at peace and ready to rest.
- My body is relaxed and ready for sleep.
- Tomorrow is full of wonderful possibilities.
- I am thankful for the day I had.
Scriptures for Reflection
As Christians, our affirmations should be rooted in the rest we find in Jesus who reassures us that His burden is light and that we can trade our burden for His.
Here are some scriptures that further support the affirmations we just spoke to ourselves. Again, repeat each one three times out loud before moving to the next one. Take your time. Maybe pick one and try to commit it to memory as well:
- Proverbs 3:24, “You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.”
- Psalm 4:8, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”
- Exodus 33:14, “And He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'”
- Psalm 116:7, “Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.”
An Evening Reflection
This morning’s challenge was to stop and breathe. Let us take some time to reflect on our day and the moments when we needed to step back from what we were doing or going to say and simply breathe.
Here are some questions to ask yourself as you reflect. As you ask yourselves these questions and perhaps take the time to write your responses in a journal (or an online journal) so you can revisit them in the days ahead and see your progress and how God is working in your life:
- Were there moments I had to stop and breathe?
- If so, why did I have to stop and breathe?
- Did stopping and breathing help me recenter myself when I felt overwhelmed?
- How can I prepare myself for tomorrow before I lay down to sleep tonight?
- In what ways did I see God working in my day?
Now, lay all the days events at the feet of Jesus, take a deep breath, and rest in His faithfulness.
Tomorrow is a new day!
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