Having trouble sleeping due to all that’s on your mind and heart? 

Whether you’re lying awake at night due to job loss, tight finances, health issues, too much to do in too little time, or just a sense of anxiety or sadness about all that is happening in the world, you don’t have to lose anymore sleep.

Your Heavenly Father is the One who “grants sleep to those he loves” (Psalm 127:2, NIV). He already knows what’s on your mind, but as you give it to Him each night before laying your head on your pillow, I guarantee His peace that passes all understanding will not only guard your heart and mind, it will help you sleep better, too. 

Here are three prayers, based on Scripture, to help you sleep soundly:  

1. A Prayer Surrendering to God Your Anxiety and Fears: 

Lord God, 

Your Word says You are my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? You are the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1-2). Even though there are uncertainties in this world and everything is constantly changing, you are my unchanging, steady, “rock of refuge, to which I can always go”(Psalm 71:3). Help me to hide in Your love this night as “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). Thank You that the Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him (Psalm 34:7) so I have nothing to fear…Your presence is near. Thank You that Your Word says as I draw close to You, You will draw close to me (James 4:8). Your Word also says “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) and that nothing can separate me from Your love – “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate [me] from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus [my] Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). Help me to remember that and to trust in that as I fall off to sleep. In Your capable hands I entrust my heart, soul and mind. Amen.

2. A Prayer Giving God All You Cannot Accomplish:

Lord Jesus, 

I have so much on my mind, but You know it all. You have searched me, Lord, and You know me…You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You, Lord, know it completely (Psalm 139:1-4). Therefore, I can trust You with all that is on my heart and mind. Your Word says not only will You give me the desires of my heart as I delight myself in You, but as I commit my way to You, and trust in You, You will do it (Psalm 37:4-5). Help me to sleep peacefully knowing that “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. God, You don’t want me striving after the wind to have more and more because You give to Your beloved even in our sleep (Psalm 127:1-2). So, help me to rest and trust that You will accomplish what concerns me (Psalm 138:8). Thank You for Your invitation for me to come to You with my weariness and my burdens and receive Your rest. Thank You for being gentle and humble in heart and because of that, in You I will find rest for my soul. I praise You that I can rest peacefully, knowing Your yoke is easy to bear and the burden You give me is light (Matthew 11:28-30). I place all that burdens me in Your capable hands and in Your name I pray, Amen.

3. A Prayer for Safety and Protection: 

Heavenly Father,

“You are my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God… in whom I take refuge, my shield and… my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2). Thank You that there is nowhere I can go where Your love cannot follow because “even the darkness will not be dark to you” (Psalm 139:7-11). Help me to sleep peacefully, assured that You are my “refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble  (Psalm 46:1-3). I know that when I pass through the waters, You will be with me; and when I pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over me. When I walk through the fire, I will not be burned, the flames will not set me ablaze (Isaiah 43:2) and therefore, as I sleep, You are here with me, too. Comfort me with the assurance that Your banner over me is love (Song of Songs 2:4) and when I wake up, You are still with me (Psalm 139:18).

Thank You, God, for Your watchful eye over those I love, as well. Thank You that nothing touches their lives that hasn’t first passed through Your loving hands. I praise You, God, that You gather the lambs in Your arms and carry them close to Your heart, and You gently lead those who have young (Isaiah 40:11). Gently lead those I am entrusting to Your care. Keep their minds stayed on You, their hearts surrendering to You alone, and their bodies safe from harm. Cover them with Your fathers and under Your wings may they find refuge. May Your faithfulness be their shield and don’t let them fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys… May no harm overtake them and no disaster come near their homes. Command Your angels concerning them to guard them in all their ways. Satisfy them with long life and show them Your salvation (Psalm 91:4-6, 10-11, 16). Thank You, Lord, that Your love endures forever. Help me to fall asleep knowing not only am I in Your hands, but You are also holding all those whom I care about. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Sleep soundly in Jesus. He cares for you.