I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I go to bed, I am jazzed.  Or I’ll occasionally wake up in the middle of the night and be unable to go back to sleep.  Or sometimes, my life has been stressful (I just graduated from college, ya’ll), and I just need some peace before I’ll be able to sleep well.  Some of these albums have words; others are instrumental.  I’ve found that both are good, but different people prefer each type for falling asleep.  For example, my eldest sister says that she can’t fall asleep to music with words, so she chooses instrumental.  I’ll note which album is of each type.  Each of the albums featured on this list is great for both adults and kids for creating a peaceful, calm atmosphere that is conducive to sleep.

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat– for he grants sleep to those he loves.” – Psalm 127: 2

Heaven Made You – Kimberly Hazlett (with words)

This is a personal favorite.  With 10 tracks, it’s geared for children, but as an adult (with several adult siblings who feel the same way), I can testify that it has a strong anointing for bringing rest to the listener (I refuse to listen to it unless I’m trying to go to sleep because it will make me fall asleep).  My oldest brother says that he can barely make it through three songs.  I find that when I listen to it, I am more likely to have dreams that I’ll actually remember when I wake up.  If I can’t go to sleep, this is usually the album I turn to.  It also has a track record of calming children experiencing night terrors, and I have heard stories told of children with disabilities being healed as it was played over them as they slept.  In addition, insomniacs have been able to sleep for the first time in years while listening…there is a powerful anointing on this one!  I think my favorite song is “You Have My Heart.” (track 8).

All Things New – Kimberly & Alberto Rivera (primarily with words)

I recently discovered this one.  On this 7-track album, Alberto’s beautiful piano is the backdrop for Kimberly’s soaring vocals as she sings prophecies over the listener.  It is completely unscripted, so you won’t recognize any of the songs, but it is terrific at bringing a sense of calm and peace into the atmosphere of the room it is being listened to in.  I can’t choose a favorite song – they are all so good!  A couple of the songs are instrumental, but most have lyrics.

Awakenings – Alberto Rivera (instrumental)

It’s funny that an album with the name of “Awakenings” would put me to sleep, but it does – especially the title track.  Each of the five tracks on this album is about an hour long and very peaceful.  I like to describe it as swells of music.  It’s not musically very “interesting,” so it isn’t a distraction from falling asleep, for those who may be so focused on listening to the music that they don’t sleep. My personal favorite is track 3, “Dreams.”

After All These Years (Instrumental) – Brian & Jenn Johnson (instrumental)

This is simply the instrumental version of an album released by Brian & Jenn Johnson in 2017.  However, it carries a similar anointing.  If you’re familiar with the original album, you’ll know every song off of this one – but for those who prefer to go to sleep without words, this is a better choice.  This album features an 80-piece orchestra, but it’s cool because there are some electronic-style drums behind it, which is an interesting combination of styles. There are 10 tracks on this one, and my favorite is track 3, “Gravity.”

Without Words Collection – Bethel Music (instrumental)

This collection consists of three albums: Without Words, Synesthesia, and Genesis (Without Words is featured in the image).  All of them are worth listening to, and all of them are good at creating a peaceful atmosphere (if I had to choose a favorite, it would probably be Genesis…but they’re all so good!).  Each album is between 10 and 20 tracks long.  If you are familiar with Bethel Music, you’ll recognize a lot of the songs (especially the names of the songs), but there are also some “Interludes,” which are new, original pieces.

The Still Collection – Rivers & Robots, Bright City, & The Creek Music (instrumental)

This collection also consists of three albums (Still Vol. 1, 2, and 3), all created by three different artists (see the title – the image is of Vol. 2).  This was a project of Integrity Music to put together instrumental versions of some of the most popular worship songs of the past couple of decades.  You’ll recognize some of the tunes – others are slightly more difficult to pair with a song.  A few of the songs featured include ‘No Longer Slaves,’ ‘What a Beautiful Name,’ ‘I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,’ and ‘Great Are You, Lord.’

Caravan: A Journey to Another Place – Georgian Banov (instrumental)

This 14-track album is unique among the others I’ve noted on this list.  Georgian is from Bulgaria, and the influence on the Eastern European musical styles on the songs is really cool.  He is also a talented fiddler, so that is featured heavily on these tracks, along with strings, guitars, and soft percussion.  It’s pleasurable just to listen to it, as well as to fall asleep to.  My personal favorites are“Isaac” (track 14), and “Caravan.” (track 2).

Story of All Stories – Laura Woodley Osman (with words)

This one is also geared toward children, but it’s also great for adults.  Its 11 tracks are filled with prophetic words and peace-infused music.  I’ve gone through periods where it was always up on my MP3 player, and it was what I went to sleep to for weeks at a time.  This album also has a track record for helping children who are experiencing night terrors. My favorite is probably “Father In Heaven.” (track 4)

Forever Amen – Steffany Gretzinger (with words)

This is a very mellow 10-track project, mainly featuring piano, strings, and Steffany’s vocals.  The album also features Matt Maher, Amanda Lindsay Cook, Chandler Moore, and Steffany’s daughter, Wonder Grace. For several weeks after its release, I would listen to it directly prior to going to bed at night, and I found it to have a very calming influence over my mind and body.  My favorite song is “Great Assembly.” (track 10).

The Fullness – Steve Swanson (with words)

Featuring gentle piano and strings, this 10-track record came out of Steve Swanson’s prayer room.  Most of the songs are spontaneous to some degree, and are anointed with the power to heal and set free. Steve’s music can be incredibly upbeat and fun, but this album is peaceful and calming and is also very anointed. I actually find it to be hard to go to sleep to because I get caught up in the glory just listening to it!  My favorite is track 10, “The Fullness.”

Peace – Bethel Music (with words)

This is the newest album on the list.  With 12 tracks, the express purpose of the album is the bring peace to whatever situation it is played in, and I can testify that it does a good job.  I highly recommend playing this when you’re stressed out or worried when you’re going to bed, or if your child is experiencing night terrors.  Actually, it’s great during the day, too.  It’s a conglomeration of new and old songs, as well as various artists, including Bethel Collective artists, Kari Jobe, and We The Kingdom.  Truth be told, I don’t have a favorite song on this record.  They’re all good!

Have I missed any good ones? What songs/albums do you listen to before going to sleep? Let us know in the comments!