Prayer for Rest

9 Powerful Nighttime Prayers for Sleep and Anxiety

Struggling to get the restful sleep you need? These powerful night-time prayers for sleep and anxiety can help encourage peace, renewal, and restoration – letting go of stress and anxiety before bed. 

Turning down for the night can be difficult after a day of working, cooking, teaching, raising, and giving your all. Having a regular nighttime routine can help you wind down and prepare to get the sleep you need to be rested and renewed for the next day! Good night prayers for rest should be a key component for your winddown routine.

Night time prayers are particularly important if you often find yourself staying up late worrying about the day ahead or mulling over the failures of the days past. Prayer before bed allows you to tap into and activate the promises that God gives us for peace, renewal and restoration.

I have found that journaling my prayers at this time really helps me to turn the cares of the day over to God. When I write them down, I let them go. When I let them go I can sleep peacefully. I then add a prayer that is based in scripture about rest or sleep to really send myself into a night of peaceful slumber.

night prayers, prayers for rest

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Importance of Praying for Sleep and Anxiety

If you have ever had those moments at the end of the day right before you close your eyes to sleep when your mind begins to race, then you understand the importance of praying at night. Spending time praying to God at night allows you to slow down your mind and heart and to give your worries to God.

We are told in the bible that we should bring our concerns to God because he cares for you, but often during the day we can be distracted and busy. We may neglect our prayer routines with the hustle and bustle of family life, work life, and our many other obligations.

Praying at night gives you the space to stop the constant pressure to perform and move. We can consider through our night prayers:

  • Decisions that worry us
  • Family struggles
  • People on our prayer list
  • Issues within our society
  • Our desires

God wants to hear all the things that are on our heart and he wants to speak to us as well. When we pray at night before we go to bed, we open the lines of communication and prepare our hearts to hear what God wants to speak to us that we may be too busy to hear throughout the day.

Powerful Prayers for Sleep and Anxiety

If you are finding it hard to slow down and calm your mind for the night, try adding one of the following prayers for rest to your nightly routine!

Night Prayer for restful sleep

This night time prayer is perfect for the weary soul is is having trouble heading to sleep. It is a request for a calm mind to encourage restful sleep.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for sustaining me. Thank you for your hand of protection during the night. As I lay down to sleep I pray for your continued protection. I will not be afraid for you are with me. My sleep will be sweet, peaceful, and restorative.

I thank you for your peace as I slumber. I know that you alone make me dwell in safety. Because of your love for me, I can rest without worry. I cast my worries on you and close my eyes. I will wake renewed.  Amen

prayers for bedtime, night prayers

Good night Prayer for a good night’s sleep

If you find it hard to relax and feel at peace at night, then this bedtime prayer will encourage you to embrace the peace that only God can give! Pray this prayer at night and meditate on each line as you drift off to sleep.

Father in Heaven, although my mind is weary I will not fear the terror of night for you are my refuge. Steady my mind as I close my eyes. I stand on your promise of peaceful sleep. I believe in your word. I will rest in this truth! Lord I pray that your covering is over myself and my family as we sleep. Grant us restoration as we slumber. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Goodnight Prayer to rest in the Lord’s strength

So many times we struggle to sleep because our minds are racing with things we may not understand or we want to be able to work through. In our own strength these problems are often elusive. This good night prayer is an encouragement to release your worries to God and allow him to fight your battles so you can get a good night sleep.

Dear God, You are my rock and my salvation. I will say of you Lord, you are my safe place, the fortress I run to when all seems lost. You are victory and hope. You are the one who was with me from the beginning, your gentle hand comforts me, and your correction gives me confidence.

I believe you when you said, your plans for me are good. I will rest my mind from the wonderings of what could be and should be and I will focus solely on your greatness. I will praise you constantly all the days of my life. Help me to be open to the encouragement and teaching of the holy spirit, In Christ Jesus name,  Amen

Night prayer for protection in sleep

This nightly prayer for protection can help relieve the anxious heart that many feel as they prepare for sleep! Pray this prayer when the cares of the world seem to overtake you. Be encouraged that the Lord will watch over you and protect you while you sleep.

 Lord, you have blessed me beyond my comprehension, you have given me a firm footing, you have placed me ahead, but I have still doubted. Forgive me for the areas, when I felt I could think beyond the goodness of your plan for me. Forgive me for the times when I have left the safety of your rest and have wandered through life in my own understanding.

Lord I ask you to save me from myself, and my fragile belief that I can reason my way through this life that you have prepared for me. Even in all of this your grace is sufficient. You guide me back to your truth, that you are my refuge, in your tabernacle I find safety and rest. Amen

Goodnight prayer for rest and provision

The next prayer for sleep and anxiety is one that seeks the Lord’s provision. Pray this prayer when your worries are related to physical and monetary needs.

Your provision is perfect. You lead me to cool pastures, you cause me to lay down in green pastures, you are ever before me, and Your glory is behind me. Each minute, hour, day you give me exactly what I need to walk this journey with you. I will stand ever before you for protection. You are all I want! Your love for me is everlasting. I will praise your name for all my days! In Jesus’ name, Amen

Night Prayer for peace of mind

Father, I pray that You fill me with Your presence in this moment as I put aside worries, anxieties, and striving and pick up Your rest. I pray that You would grant me Your peace as I stop wondering about the how’s and why’s of life.

Almighty God, Help me to remain focused solely on Your goodness. I seek after You and You alone. I surrender my heart and soul to You. I surrender my plans and my goals and my aspirations and lay them at the altar. I choose to seek those things that You place before me. I choose to seek Your kingdom. I know that You will provide everything I need to do Your will. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen

Good Night Prayer for rest from fear

Another big culprit that keeps many of us from enjoying rest is fear, especially during difficult times. Overcoming fears can be hard when daily we are existing in a broken world. But Jesus has overcome the world. This night time prayer is an encouragement for anyone struggling with fear.

Father God, when my foot stumbles, I look to You for help, and You save me. Though there is chaos and calamity all around me, You strengthen me and cause me to step on a safe place, You cover me, and help me through all of the battles of life.

I praise Your name for Your sustaining love and power. I thank You for always drawing near to me in my troubles. I thank You for the assurance I get in You through growing in relationship with You. I thank You for meeting me when I call and for inclining Your ear. I sit listening for Your words of love and encouragement, for Your words of help and direction. In the name of Jesus, Amen

Bedtime Prayer for rest in silence

This next simple prayer is for those who have a troubled heart and racing thoughts in silence. This prayer is for the peace of God and the unwavering belief that the Love of God is with you always. 

Father in Heaven, I thank You for the places You have called me to work for Your Kingdom. You are my God, and You are concerned with every aspect of my life. Including my rest. You designed me for purpose, but also for communion with You. Lord, I draw near to You now, I come away with You. I sit in silence and allow You to speak words of love and peace over my heart. In this moment of solitude, I long for Your presence, and I thank You for meeting me. I am comforted by Your love and concern for me. Amen

Bedtime Prayer for rest from striving

Have you ever felt as if you have to continue doing in order to get ahead. When Jesus came to the earth he paid the price so that we no longer have to strive. We can simply be, in him, and become all that God created us to be. Striving and trying to do all the things can keep our minds racing well into the night. This good night time prayer will encourage you to slow down and rest from the striving.

Heavenly Father, for far too long I have disobeyed Your command for rest. I have worked, even on good things, nonstop without taking time out to truly sit in Your presence and rest. I have missed opportunities to be replenished and in some cases to be redirected because I have worked without ceasing. Reveal to me Father spaces in my day when I can take time out to rest in You. Remove from my life the fruitless endeavors which are taking time away from the rest that You willed for me to have. Amen

How do I pray good night prayers?

There are many ways to spend your night prayer quiet time. The most important thing to remember as with any prayer routine is to pray from your heart and know you are praying to your heavenly Father who loves and cares for you!

Use a prayer journal  Journaling your night prayers not only allows you to keep a record of the prayers you pray, it also allows you to decrease distractions that you may have during prayer time. Praying at night with a prayer journal is an easy self-care routine that you can add that will help you wind down and cultivate a rhythm of calm.

Pray breath prayers – Breathing your prayers is as simple as praying through a scripture. When you breath in consider one part of the verse. When you breath out, consider a different part of the scripture. For example: “Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10

Breath in: “Be still” (think about what this means to you)

Breath out: “and know” (consider how this makes you feel)

Breath in: “that I” (Who is the “I”)

Breath out: “am God” (consider the magnitude)

Lay down and pray – You may be wondering if It is okay to pray while laying down. While there is an order and a reverence to God and praying while on your knees or while prostrate has its place, prayer is a lifestyle and simply the way we communicate to God.

He is less concerned with the mode in which you come to him when you come humbly and more concerned with the fact that you are coming to him. He wants to be an active part in our lives because we invite him in. Praying at night while laying down is just another way to do that.

These bedtime prayers can simply be thinking through thoughts and then releasing them and the stress that may be associated with them to God.

Bible verses for night time prayers

In addition to praying night prayers before you go to bed to help you sleep and find rest, it’s a good idea to have a few scriptures for sleep to help you find calm when you mind is racing before bed. Praying through God’s word regarding sleep can help you understand God’s intention for rest and receive his peace for a restful night sleep. It’s also the best way to curb anxious thoughts and panic attacks. 

When you lie down, you will not be afraid, when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.Proverbs 3:24

When you pray this scripture before bedtime you are reminding yourself that you do not need to fear and your sleep will be peaceful. You are settling your soul and encouraging yourself in the fact that you are covered.

I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.Psalm 3:5

The Lord is your protection and your peace. He will keep you throughout the night so the worries you feel can be released. He has encamped his angels around you. This verse for sleep can be prayed through breathing prayers or through more traditional bedtime prayer.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.Psalm 91:1

Do you know how to rest in the Lord? Have you accepted and truly trusted in his concern for you. Praying through scriptures about sleep and rest can help you to lay down your burdens, calm your mind, and encourage you to enjoy a restful night sleep.

Looking for more Nighttime Prayer Resources?

Encourage peace and quiet as you wind down to sleep with this calming bundle that includes: printable prayer wall art, journaling pages, prayer points, prayer journaling pages, and scriptures cards. Regular $10 grab a copy now for only $3.97.

Use Night Prayers in your Nightly Routine

One of the greatest privileges we have as Christians is our ability to have access to God. We can speak to him, and because of our connection to Jesus, we can have confidence that he hears our prayers!

Having an arsenal prayers to recite is key to a powerful prayer life. I’ve added several from this prayer guide from pureflix to my personal collection of night prayers for rest.

Praying good night prayers for rest as part of your nightly routine adds an exclamation point to your day. Regardless of what transpired, whether the kids listened, or your husband was romantic, you can close out the date on a positive note. You can close the day knowing that this request will be fulfilled. You can know that your Father in heaven heard you and he will grant you the peaceful rest he promised in his word!

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