For Christians who've tried secular meditation apps and felt something missing — or who've been told meditation isn't "biblical" — Live From Rest bridges that gap with guided sessions rooted entirely in Scripture and the way of Jesus.^1
Built by a family team in the UK — Dr. Steve Smith, his son Joshua Luke Smith, and Lucinda Smith — the app offers customizable spoken-word meditations covering everything from gratitude and joy to freedom from anxiety, anger, shame, and addiction. You choose the voice, the background music (calming synths, piano, birdsong, or silence), and the session length — making it easy to fit into a morning routine, a lunch break, or the quiet minutes before sleep.^1 The meditations integrate breathwork and body awareness with Scripture, recognizing that we're embodied creatures who need more than intellectual engagement with God's Word. Steve, a medical doctor, brings particular depth to the "freedom" collection — meditations on battling pornography, lust, anger, and overeating that include prayers of confession and repentance.^2
As the name suggests, the core idea is simple but transformative: most of us live for rest — counting down to the weekend, the holiday, the next moment we can breathe. But Jesus invites us to live from rest. Beyond the app, Live From Rest offers free courses on Sabbath, solitude, and simplicity, a podcast, downloadable guides on biblical meditation and forgiveness, and a sleep webinar by Dr. Steve.^3 Joshua — a poet, spoken-word artist, author, and former missionary kid who has been open about his own journey through ADHD, addiction, and recovery — brings an authentic vulnerability to the project that resonates with users seeking something deeper than surface-level calm. He is also a regular columnist for Premier Christianity magazine and the author of Something You Once Knew, a book on rediscovering the sacred in ordinary life.^4
Live From Rest is a registered UK charity, and everything — the app, courses, podcast, and downloads — is entirely free.^1
Why Christians Love Live From Rest: "I've never felt compelled to write a review before for anything. This app is such a huge gift to me. They're rooted in truth and guide you into communion with Holy Spirit."^5 Another user shared, "I have been searching for years to find an app like this one. Huge answer to prayer! After listening to their podcast and doing their meditations, it's clear that they love Jesus."^5 The Baptist Union of Great Britain recommends it as a faith and mental health resource.^6
Platforms: iOS, Android Pricing: Free
