When You Can't Sleep
Verses for the thoughts that come at 2 a.m.
Some nights the body lies down and the mind refuses to. The Psalms were written by people who knew those hours well, and they do not pretend the darkness away.
Read these slowly, in order. They begin where you are — awake, turning things over — and end with the oldest bedtime prayer in Scripture.
Readings
12 passages · Douay-Rheims
Psalm 143:7-8
“O Lord, hear my prayer: give ear to my supplications in thy truth: hear me in thy justice. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for no man living shall be justified in thy sight. Ma…”
Psalm 94:19
“According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, thy comforts have given joy to my soul.”
Psalm 3:5
“I have slept and taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me.”
Psalm 63:6-7
“If I have remembered thee upon my bed, I will meditate on thee in the morning: because thou hast been my helper. And I will rejoice under the covert of thy wings.”
Mark 4:37-39
“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that the ship was filled. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, sleeping upon a pillow; and they awake him, a…”
Matthew 6:34
“Be not therefore solicitous for to morrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.”
Philippians 4:6-7
“Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, k…”
1 Peter 5:7
“Casting all your care upon him, for he hath care of you.”
Psalm 121:1-4
“I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me. My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. May he not suffer thy foot to be moved: neither let him slu…”
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you.”
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.”
Psalm 4:8
“In peace in the selfsame I will sleep, and I will rest: For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope.”