We’ve all had nights where unwanted dreams leave us unsettled, tossing and turning instead of waking refreshed. Sometimes these dreams stir up old fears, anxious thoughts, or even a heaviness that lingers into the morning. Sleep, which God designed to restore us, can quickly feel like a battle.
The good news is that you don’t have to face those restless nights alone. God promises His peace, and He cares about every detail of our lives, including the hours we spend in bed. Speaking words of faith before you rest can quiet your mind, calm your heart, and remind you that God’s presence surrounds you, even in your sleep.
In this collection, you’ll find 17 Prayers for Bad Dreams: Peaceful Sleep and Spiritual Protection. Each prayer will help you let go of fear and rest under the covering of God’s peace. Whether you need comfort, strength, or the assurance of His protection, these prayers offer a gentle way back to stillness and security in Him.
Care Notice (Important)
Prayer and wise care belong together. Bad dreams can follow grief, trauma, medication changes, stress, or illness. If nightmares linger or bring severe distress, talk with a clinician or pastor. Reach out to trusted friends. Keep praying while you receive care and support.
A Simple Bedtime Rhythm (5 Minutes)
- Exhale the day: Sit on the edge of the bed. Three slow breaths. Name one thanks.
- Read one verse: One short line can guide your thoughts.
- Pray out loud: Choose one prayer below.
- Bless the room: Speak one sentence of peace over your bed and home.
Keep it short. Keep it steady. You will build a calm path back to rest.
17 Prayers for Bad Dreams (Grouped by Need)
Here are 17 Prayers for Bad Dreams to guide you into a night of calm and renewal. They are short, faith-filled words you can speak over yourself or your loved ones. Use them to invite peace into your rest, guard against fear, and remind your heart that God holds you steady—even in the moments when your dreams feel unsettling.
Prayers to Settle the Mind and Surrender the Night
A restless mind often follows us into sleep, keeping worries alive long after the day is done. These prayers are meant to help quiet anxious thoughts, release the weight of the day, and place the night into God’s hands.
1. Prayer to Surrender the Night to God
Gracious God,
I hand you this night.
I release control over my thoughts and my sleep.
Place your peace at the door of my mind.
Quiet the noise and clear the shadows.
Hold me safe while I rest.
Wake me with steady hope. Amen.
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” — Psalm 4:8 (KJV)
2. Prayer for Casting Worries Before Sleep
Heavenly Father,
I set down the worries I carried today.
Take the burdens that crowd my chest.
Teach my heart to release them, one by one.
Guard me from the urge to pick them up again.
Let your care hold what I cannot hold.
Give me deep, calm sleep. Amen.
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
3. Prayer for Guarding Thoughts and Clearing Images
Lord Jesus,
clean the screen of my mind.
Wipe away harsh images and haunting scenes.
Replace them with what is true, pure, and good.
Teach me to take each thought captive to your truth.
Fill my night with light and peace.
Keep fear far from my bed. Amen.
“Whatsoever things are true… think on these things.” — Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
“Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
4. Prayer for Peace That Guards Heart and Mind
Holy Spirit,
place your peace like a guard at my heart and mind.
When anxious thoughts line up, turn them away.
Set calm over my breathing and rest in my bones.
Teach me to ask, to thank, and to trust.
Let your quiet rule this room.
Keep watch while I sleep. Amen.
“The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7 (KJV)
5. Prayer for Perfect Peace and a Steady Mind
God Almighty,
fix my thoughts on you.
Set a steady line through the night hours.
When fear tries to shake me, hold me fast.
Keep my mind stayed on your promise and your name.
Give me perfect peace that does not break.
Let me rest in you. Amen.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” — Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
Prayers for Spiritual Protection and Night Watch
The night can sometimes feel like a vulnerable time, but God promises to be our shield and defender. These prayers focus on asking for His covering, His angels to guard us, and His strength to surround every corner of our rest.
6. Prayer for Refuge Under God’s Shadow
Heavenly Father,
draw me under your shelter.
Spread your shadow over this bed and this room.
Let your presence push back fear and harm.
Be my refuge, my fortress, my safe place.
Set your truth like a shield around me.
Keep me through the night. Amen.
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” — Psalm 91:1 (KJV)
7. Prayer for Angelic Protection in the Night
Gracious God,
appoint your angels to guard this house.
Stand them at doors and windows.
Keep watch over my sleep and my dreams.
Let no evil draw near.
Let your messengers surround me with peace.
I rest under your care. Amen.
“He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” — Psalm 91:11 (KJV)
“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” — Psalm 34:7 (KJV)
8. Prayer for Breaking Fear and Night Terrors
Lord Jesus,
speak to the fear that rises in the dark.
Break its hold and end its lies.
Fill my room with your light and my chest with courage.
Teach me to stand in your love without panic.
Give me a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
Silence the terror of the night. Amen.
“God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
9. Armor of God Prayer for Night Rest
Holy Spirit,
clothe me for the night.
Fasten truth around my thoughts.
Set righteousness to guard my heart.
Place faith in my hands and your word on my lips.
Keep me strong against the enemy’s lies.
Let me sleep in your strength. Amen.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” — Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)
10. Prayer to be Covered by the Blood of Jesus
God Almighty,
I rest under the work of Christ.
Cover my life with his blood and his victory.
Let every charge lose its claim and every fear lose its force.
Speak “finished” over my past and my night.
Set a hedge around this home.
Keep me safe till morning. Amen.
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” — Revelation 12:11 (KJV)
Healing the Roots prayers
Bad dreams often come from deeper places—unhealed wounds, past experiences, or old fears that linger. These prayers are to invite God’s healing into those hidden places of the heart, so peace can replace pain and restoration can take root.
11. Prayer for Healing Memories and Trauma in Sleep
Gracious God,
touch wounds that stir old scenes.
Heal places where loss and pain still speak.
Rewrite the night with your comfort and strength.
Let your love reach memories I cannot change.
Give rest where there once was panic.
Restore me as I sleep. Amen.
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3 (KJV)
“Behold, I will do a new thing… I will even make a way in the wilderness.” — Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)
12. Prayer to Renew the Mind and Rewriting the Story
Holy Spirit,
renew my mind by your truth.
Replace scripts of fear with your word.
Teach me new patterns of thought and rest.
Form a quiet spirit within me.
Set hope where dread once lived.
Make me new, even in the night. Amen.
“Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2 (KJV)
13. Prayer for Forgiveness That Releases Night Stirring
Lord Jesus,
search me and show me where bitterness hides.
Give me grace to forgive those who hurt me.
Release knots of anger and replayed scenes.
Break the cycle that keeps my heart on edge.
Wash me clean and set me free to rest.
Teach me your mercy. Amen.
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
Prayers For Families and Special Situations
Sometimes it’s not just our own sleep we worry about, but the rest of those we love, our children, our spouse, or even friends going through hard times. These prayers lift up families and unique situations, asking God to pour out rest and protection over those closest to our hearts.
14. Prayer For Children or Teens with Bad Dreams
Heavenly Father,
hold this child while they sleep.
Calm their mind and guard their room.
Send your angels to keep watch through the night.
Fill their thoughts with light and safety.
Teach them to call on your name without fear.
Let them wake rested and brave. Amen.
“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” — Proverbs 3:24 (KJV)
15. Prayer for Parent’s Blessing Over a Child’s Room
Gracious God,
I bless this room in your name.
Set peace on these walls and over this bed.
Drive out fear and welcome your presence.
Let your face shine on my child and give them rest.
Teach us to speak your word at morning and night.
Keep this home under your care. Amen.
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee… and give thee peace.” — Numbers 6:24–26 (KJV)
“Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…” — Deuteronomy 6:7 (KJV)
16. Prayer to Rest for Shift Workers and Irregular Schedules
Holy Spirit,
reset my body in a hard rhythm.
Give deep rest at odd hours and alertness when I rise.
Shield me from noise, light, and needless strain.
Protect my health, my mood, and my focus.
Fill my sleep with calm and my work with strength.
Keep me steady through the week. Amen.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
17. Prayer for When You Wake at 3 A.M.
God Almighty,
I woke in the dark.
Settle my breath and slow my heart.
Turn my mind from fear to your mercy.
I remember your faithfulness and your love that does not fail.
Hold me while I rest again.
Bring morning with fresh hope. Amen.
“In the night watches I meditate on thee.” — Psalm 63:6 (KJV)
“His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 (KJV)
Breath Prayers for the Night (One-Liners)
Use these when words feel hard. Say the line once out loud, then with your breath for one minute.
- “Lord Jesus, calm my mind and keep me. Amen.” — Psalm 4:8
- “Holy Spirit, guard my sleep and my dreams. Amen.” — Psalm 91:1
- “Faithful Father, drive out fear. Amen.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
- “Gracious God, set your peace to watch me. Amen.” — Philippians 4:7
- “Prince of Peace, rule this room. Amen.” — Isaiah 26:3
Bedtime Checklist for Better Sleep
- Screens off 60 minutes before bed; dim lights.
- Room setup: cool, dark, quiet; fan or white-noise if helpful.
- Gentle wind-down: warm shower, light stretch, slow breathing.
- Simple intake: no late caffeine; light snack if needed.
- Notebook by the bed: write tomorrow’s top three so your mind can rest.
- Verse card: keep one short line of Scripture within reach.
- Safe habits: secure doors and windows if that eases your mind.
- Support: share fears with a trusted friend; do not carry them alone.
The 3 A.M. Reset (2 Minutes)
- Breathe: in for 4, hold for 4, out for 6. Repeat three times.
- Read: one short verse from this guide.
- Pray: speak Prayer 17 or one breath prayer.
- Release: picture handing your worry to God.
- Return: lie on your side; relax jaw, shoulders, and hands. Let your breath set a calm pace.
If you remain awake, sit up for a moment. Read a psalm in low light. Avoid screens. Try again.
Short Verses to Memorize
- Psalm 4:8 — Sleep and safety.
- Psalm 23:4 — Fear in dark places.
- Psalm 91:1, 11 — Shelter and angels.
- Isaiah 26:3 — Perfect peace.
- John 14:27 — Christ’s peace, not the world’s.
- 2 Timothy 1:7 — Power, love, sound mind.
- Philippians 4:6–7 — Prayer and guarded hearts.
- Romans 12:2 — Renewed mind.
- 1 Peter 5:7 — Casting cares.
- Numbers 6:24–26 — Blessing of peace.
Closing
Rest should be a gift, not a struggle. When nightmares or uneasy dreams try to rob you of peace, you can lean into God’s promises and reclaim the calm He intends for you. These Prayers for Bad Dreams are one simple way to realign your thoughts with His truth and remember that His protection never fades when the lights go out.
As you whisper these prayers before sleep or in the middle of the night, may your spirit find comfort, your mind be renewed, and your body finally rest well. God is near, and His peace is stronger than any fear. Sleep tonight knowing you are covered by His love.
FAQs
Do I need to quote the whole passage?
No. One line is enough at bedtime. Read the full chapter when you can.
Can children pray these?
Yes. Use Prayers 14–15 and shorten lines. Pray with them in simple words.
What if nightmares continue?
Keep praying and follow the Bedtime Checklist. Speak with a clinician or counselor, and invite trusted friends to support you.
Which translation should I use?
Use the one you understand and will read. The quotes here use KJV for clarity and brevity.
Can I pray silently?
Yes. Out loud helps focus if your mind wanders. Choose what helps you rest.
Is it okay to wake someone to pray with me?
If you need support, ask. Peace grows when we carry burdens together.
