1 CALMING PRAYERS FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP

Many of us have been there. Middle of the night. Darkness surrounds. Stars shining
brightly. All is quiet. All should be at peace. Except for one problem.

We can’t sleep.

Thoughts are swirling, anxieties pressing hard. Peace feels far away. Fear seems
to be bigger in the dark. It’s hard to see or think with clarity. Too many things can
keep us awake. Wide awake. If you’ve lived long enough, you may have found
yourself there.

Maybe the kids woke you up, or the new pet. Maybe it’s just a bad dream. Or
something you ate. Yet often it goes much deeper than that. Worry or stress,
money problems, deep loss or grief can steal away precious hours of sleep. Illness,
disease, or pain that we or our loved ones might be facing, can cause true rest to
be a constant battle. Sometimes even the pain of broken relationships brings great
heaviness to the soul. Unforgiveness, resentment, and anger, make it difficult to
turn off our thoughts and rehearsed scripts, to find rest again.

If you find yourself there right now, or have just walked through a difficult hardship
and still struggle with fear-filled thoughts or overwhelming feelings in the night,
here are some verses that might help to bring life, healing, and peace once again:

Psalm 116
Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. - Psalm
116:7 NIV

Psalm 116:7 is a Psalm I memorized almost 10 years ago. It is my first go-to

scripture to say over and over to myself on a sleepless night. I say it slow to really

2 CALMING PRAYERS FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP

think about the words. I’m reminded that my soul can rest, because the Lord is
good and I have so much evidence of His goodness in my life. I then start to think
about all the good the Lord is going and has done for me. This scripture reminds
me that God is with me and that gives me a peace that relaxes my mind, body and
soul.

Psalm 4
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in
safety. - Psalm 4:8 NIV

After a super busy day you would think the only thing my body would want to do is
quickly fall asleep. Nope! I’ve realized a busy day usually leads to more difficulties
falling asleep. My mind races with everything that happened that day and what
might happen tomorrow.

What will happen tomorrow?

What will happen next year?

What if something bad happens to me? My husband? My children?

There is nothing worse than trying to fall asleep on anxious thoughts. It’s during
these times I love to pull out Psalm 4. It always reminds me God is in control, He is
my protection, and I can trust Him. Now that’s some truth I can sleep on.

Psalm 91
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of

3 CALMING PRAYERS FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP

the Almighty. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies
by day. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all
your ways. - Psalm 91:1,5,11

During the day, I’m not thinking about scary thoughts. But as soon as I hit the pillow
they all want to attack. And fear is the enemy of sleep. Which is why I absolutely
adore Psalm 91. I’ve only listed a few verse from the Psalm above but, if you have
time, or find yourself losing sleep due to fear, I highly suggest you read this Psalm
in its entirety. It reminds me God will not only protect me, but He will defend me
as well. Psalm 91 reveals that my fearful thoughts don’t even come close to the
power my God has to overcome them.

I have yet to face a battle that the Lord has not addressed in His Word. This
includes my struggle to fall asleep some nights. It is the Word of God that helps
me to let go of the worries of this world and grasp how trustworthy our God is. And
leaning on His truths, even on sleepless nights, feels like God Himself is rocking
my to sleep. So the next time you have trouble falling asleep go ahead and give
these Psalms a try. It is my prayer that the truth of God’s word produces a peace
in your soul that leads to many nights of good sweet sleep.

Psalm 91:1-2, 4
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of
the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God,
in whom I trust!’ He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings
you will find refuge...”

4 CALMING PRAYERS FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP

Philippians 4:8-9
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever
is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things…and the
God of peace will be with you.”

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my
burden is light.”

Psalm 4:8
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me
dwell in safety.”

Isaiah 30:15
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your
strength…”

Matthew 6:33-34
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow…”

5 CALMING PRAYERS FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP

Romans 8:26
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know
what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through
wordless groans.”

Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace
of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.”

James 4:8
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”

Psalm 23:1-6
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green
pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads
me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are
with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table
before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my
cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my
life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

6 CALMING PRAYERS FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP

Lord, we need your peace...
Dear God,
We’re in need of your peace and truth to soothe our hearts and spirits right now.
When we find ourselves awake in the middle of the night, our pressing needs and
worries can feel overwhelming. We need to be reminded of your constant love,
healing, and grace. We ask for your Mighty Power to surround us.

Thank you that you have set us free and that you are bigger than anything we face
in this life. We lay our burdens before you, every single one, for we know they’re
much safer in your hands than our own.

For when you’re battling worry

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Lord you know our hearts and all that concerns us, we ask for you to help us
to guard our hearts and minds in you. Sometimes our worries seem too big, we
don’t see a way out of our current circumstances, and we can’t understand what
you’re doing. But we know that you see the big picture and thank you that you are
with us in it all. Help us to trust you. Allow your peace that passes all of our own
understanding to surround us and fill us afresh.

For when you’re facing a big decision

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

7 CALMING PRAYERS FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my
burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Lord we can’t sleep because we just don’t know what to do. These big decisions
are pressing hard. We can’t see all the answers but we believe that you are leading
us. Help us to hear your voice, help us to see your hand guiding us at every turn.
Make the way clear before us and we ask that you would open the right doors and
close the ones that aren’t meant for us to walk through.

We give it to you again right now, and believe that you are helping us and working
on our behalf, even as we sleep.

For when you’re facing pain and illness

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green
pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads
me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are
with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table
before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my
cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my
life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:1-6)

Lord, we’re hurting. The pain feels too great. The uncertainty over the future can
easily fill our minds with fear and bring huge burdens to our hearts. Please take
our pain away so we can sleep peacefully in your care. We thank you that you are
close and that you’re always with us. We pray for your healing and your huge grace

8 CALMING PRAYERS FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP

to encircle us as never before. We ask for your angels of protection and comfort to
surround us in the night. Thank you that you are our Redeemer and you will never
waste our pain.

For when you’re feeling depressed

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore
we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into
the heart of the sea…He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will
be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The LORD
Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:1-2, 10-
11)

Lord, our spirits are aching and filled with despair. The darkness that surrounds
us now is what we feel inside. We can’t find our way anymore, we feel lost and
desperate, and the nighttime makes it feel worse. Please help us God, we cry out
for your relief and hope. We’re desperate for your peace and healing. Thank you
that you will never let go of us. Thank you for your promises that you will lift us out
of this pit, that you know the plans you have for us and give us a future and a hope.

For when you’re struggling to forgive

“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with
peace.” (Psalm 29:11)

Lord, we’re wounded. We feel betrayed. Brokenhearted. We wonder sometimes if

we can ever fully recover from the deep hurt we feel inside. Thank you that you
know what we’ve been through and the struggles we still carry. Help us to forgive.
Help us to let go. We ask that when the enemy taunts us with lies and tries to bring

9 CALMING PRAYERS FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP

up the hurt of the past, you would silence his voice and allow us to walk free. We
know that we can move forward with you in peace and freedom. We pray for those
who have hurt us right now, and ask for your power to work mightily within their
lives. We leave them in your hands and find our comfort and strength in your spirit.

For when you feel afraid

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I
will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right
hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Lord, we know that your word reminds us over and over that we do not have to fear.
We know that you are with us and your protection and Presence and powerful. We
ask for that you would cover us and remind us that you have stationed your angels
around us to guard us in all our ways. Thank you that you never sleep or slumber,
you are constantly watching over us, constantly aware, so we can get some sleep.
We choose faith over fear right now and ask that you would surround us with your
peace.

For when you’re suffering deep loss and grief

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed
in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Lord, our hearts are breaking. We feel such sadness, such huge grief. We miss our
loved one. Nothing can fill this void we have deep inside. We thank you for your
reminder that you are near to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed
in spirit. That is us right now. Please dear God, bring your comfort and your help.
Soothe the pain in our hearts, send us gentle reminders that your Presence is

10 CALMING PRAYERS FOR WHEN YOU CAN’T SLEEP

with us. We know that you will turn this circumstance around for good somehow.
We believe that you bring us through this storm to the other side of our grief. We
choose to hope in you.

For the times God awakens you to pray

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you…” (James 4:8)

Lord, we’re wide awake and don’t know all the reasons why. Except that maybe
you’ve woken us up to pray. We feel a burden deep inside, and don’t have all the
words, but you know our hearts and we ask that you would intercede for us right
now and show us how to pray. We ask for your presence over these that our close
in our hearts right now. We don’t know all of what is happening in their lives but we
ask for your Powerful and Mighty Spirit to fill them and work in every part of their
circumstance. We pray that you would continue to draw us close to you, reveal your
heart to us, show us what burdens you, and lead us to pray with the guidance of
your Spirit.

We pray these things in Jesus’ Name.

Lord, all these things we bring to you, and thank you that you are at work, and
answering even now, as we close our eyes and sleep in your peace. In Jesus’
Name, Amen.

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