Most children will have night terrors or bad dreams at some point in their life. As a parent, you want your child to have a peaceful sleep every night and not have to deal with a spirit of fear in the middle of the night. Sometimes these scary dreams of the night can seem so very real that it is hard to separate them in the subconscious mind and you need prayers for bad dreams.
When you’re getting your child ready for bed, you plan on a restful sleep and sweet dreams so that they will be ready for a good day in the morning. There are several ways to help your child not to be fearful of the night and night terrors or bad dreams. As they are getting ready for bed, remind them of the promises in the Word of God about His protection and watch care over them.
Help them to focus on the good things in the day and eliminate any influences that will cause them to feel afraid or fearful. God’s angels are ever present with you and your child and they will stand guard through the hours of the night. As a child of God, your child can claim the power of God for themselves and enjoy a restful night’s sleep.
Prayers for Bad Dreams
Bad dreams and nightmares are a part of life but there are some strategies that can help your child wake up and then be able to go back to sleep peacefully. Help your child know that they are safe.
Then pray with them and ask God for continued protection. Help them memorize some scripture verses they can claim can help them be able to sleep in perfect peace. If you or your child wake up in the night with a nightmare,
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving presence here tonight. Thank you for being our strong tower and the light of the world. Even when it’s dark, you are still with us. Please guard us against the rulers of the darkness of this world and give us peace tonight. As we sleep, help us to awaken with a renewed spirit for the new day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
O Lord, Tonight I pray for my child. I pray that you will grant them a restful nights’ sleep tonight. You have promised to be with us and hold us with your righteous right arm and I pray that you would hold my child in your strong hand tonight. Protect them and help them to feel your presence close to them as they sleep. Thank you for sending your angels to watch over us through the night. Please forgive our sins and help us to follow you every minute of every day. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
Father God, Tonight my child is worried about having awful dreams. I pray that you will fill his/her mind with good things and help him/her to know that you are with them tonight as they go to sleep. Thank you for your divine power in our lives and for sending the Holy Spirit to comfort us. Tonight I thank you for sending your angels to watch over us during the night. Help us to lie down and sleep in peace tonight. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Dear God, tonight I pray for my child’s persistent nightmares and sleepless nights. Please hold them in your comforting embrace as they sleep and put a hedge of protection around them. Fill their minds with wholesome things as they sleep and shield them from evil dreams that make them fearful and afraid. We claim the promises in God’s Word that You will be with us in trouble, you will carry us, and you will provide for our needs. Thank you for the powerful word of promise and protection. In the name of Christ Jesus, amen.
O God, tonight I thank you so much for your powerful right hand. Thank you for God’s protection throughout the day. Tonight, I pray for a peaceful rest with a sound sleep and peaceful dreams. If we have any unconfessed sin, please forgive us. Please let your light shine and remove the evil spirits who would like to discourage and frighten us. Thank you for calling us children of God and loving us so much. Please give us peace of mind as we trust in You tonight. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, amen
Dear Lord, thank you so much for your blessings today. As we go to sleep tonight, I pray that you will help us to have a good nights sleep. Help us to dream of Heaven and the beautiful things you are preparing for us. In the name of Jesus, our Mighty Savior, amenDear Lord God, tonight I thank you for God’s promises to protect and keep us. Please watch over my young children and help them sleep well. Help their little minds to focus on the powerful name of Jesus as they rest, trusting that you will take care of their needs. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
Bible Verses to Pray Against Bad Dreams
Memorizing scripture promises can be really helpful to combat bad dreams and night terrors. If your child is very young, you can play soothing songs of scripture set to music. Even very young children can memorize songs and simple Bible verses. Psalm 56:3 – “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” was my daughter’s go to verse when she woke up afraid. Choose some verses that you can recite together at bedtime and help your child go to sleep in peace.
Use these Bible verses to pray against bad dreams or find some of your own and memorize them so they are quick and ready when needed.
Here are a few more scriptures that can be used as a short prayer, or simply recited as a promise to refocus a frightened mind on God’s protection.
- Psalm 4:8 (NIV): In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
- Psalm 91:5-7 (NIV): You will not 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 at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
- Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): 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.
- Isaiah 41:10 (NIV): 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.
- 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV): Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
- Psalm 3:5-6 (NIV): I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
- Proverbs 3:24 (NIV): When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.Psalm 34:7 (NKJV): The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.
Calming Prayers for Sleep
Preparing for bed is a good way to remind your child that God is caring for them and will take care of them through the night. Just like leaving open doors to your children’s bedroom to let some light in, prayer can allow God’s love to shine in and provide the light throughout the night. God’s way for us is to not feel like we have to worry and be afraid. Whether this is after a night dream or during the daytime, He wants us to have a sound mind and trust completely in Him.
Dear Father in Heaven, tonight I pray that you will stay close. Send your angels to watch over us throughout the night and protect us from any evil that may be around us. Please be the strength of my heart and help me not to be afraid. Thank you for taking care of me every day and every night. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Jesus, tonight I am afraid. There is a storm outside and it makes me feel afraid. I know that you can calm the storm and you can also keep me safe in the storm. Please watch over us tonight and help us to rest well, knowing that you are here with us. Thank you for sending your angels to encamp around us. Thank you for your blessings today and for my family. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to lie down in peace tonight. I’m worried and afraid, and I pray that your presence will be close to me tonight to help me go to sleep. Please help my mind to relax and get the rest it needs so that I’m ready for tomorrow. Thank you for being with me tonight. Amen.
Dear God, thank you for being my friend today. Please bless those who are sad or lonely tonight. Wrap your arms around me as I sleep – just like a cozy blanket. Please fill my dreams with joy, adventure, and peace. Goodnight, God. I love you! Amen.
Dear Jesus, thank you for being with me today in the fun times and in the hard times. Please bless my family and friends where they are. As I go to sleep, please let your peace fill my room and make my sleep sweet. Please take away any fears and make my dreams happy and peaceful. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Father in Heaven, thank you so much for this day that you’ve given me. Please bless everyone I know and the friends I haven’t made yet. As I close my eyes, please let your peace wrap my heart and mind like a lullaby. Please guard my dreams with your love, so I can wake up ready for a new day. Please forgive me sins tonight and thank you for dying on the cross for me. I love you! Amen.
Dear Lord, thank you for being close to me today. Thank you for the sunshine and now the stars and the moon that shine in my window. Thank you that even though you are way up in Heaven, you are also right here with me. Thank you for sending your angels to stand guard during the night while I sleep. Help me to rest well and wake me up in the morning with a smile, ready for a new day. Thank your for loving me so much! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Jesus, thank you for being strong enough to keep Daniel safe in the lion’s den and for being able to create the whole world. Please watch over me tonight as I sleep. Help me to think of you and dream of the wonderful things you are doing in my life. Thank you for protecting me today. Please bless my family and friends and help them to love you too. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Final Thoughts on Prayers for Bad Dreams and Night Terrors
Bad dreams and nightmares may be a part of life that you can’t change but being armed and equipped with God’s Word and the ability to pray to God can reduce the anxiety that may come with bad dreams. Guard the things that are allowed to enter your mind or your child’s mind. Be careful about the stories they read or listen to, movies they watch, and the online games they are playing. Surround them with stories of God’s strength from the Bible, history, and present day people. Memorize scripture verses to combat fear and pray that God will guard you mind and your child’s mind as you sleep.
Second Timothy 1:7 says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” He does not want us to be afraid or fearful during the day or night. Claim his promises today and give your fears to God.
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