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 father-and-son duo Dr. Steve Smith and Joshua Luke 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. 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 specializing in addiction, 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. Live From Rest is a registered UK charity, and the app — along with their podcast, courses, and blog — is entirely free.^1
Why Christians Love Live From Rest: "I was in a difficult place emotionally and had just returned to work after my third child was stillborn. With these meditations, I could face life. They have brought me closer to Jesus and have been a way for Him to transform and heal my heart. The first meditation I listened to was Lucinda's 'Joy in Trials.' This was truly life-changing, enabling me to shift my focus to eternity instead of on my current grief."^3 Another user shared, "I've never felt compelled to write a review before for anything. This app is such a huge gift to me. I was wary at first that the meditations would be just fluff or even unbiblical, but neither is the case. They're rooted in truth and guide you into communion with Holy Spirit."^3 Users consistently describe it as the Christian meditation app they searched years to find — one wrote, "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."^3 The Baptist Union of Great Britain recommends it as a faith and mental health resource.^4
Platforms: iOS, Android Pricing: Free
