Bad dreams and nightmares can be unsettling, leaving us anxious, fearful, or even spiritually disturbed. Whether they come from stress, past experiences, or spiritual attacks, God offers protection and peace through His Word. The Bible assures us in Psalm 4:8 (NIV), “In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” When troubling dreams disrupt our rest, we can turn to Scripture and prayer to reclaim the peace that God promises His children.
Praying against bad dreams is a powerful way to invite God’s presence into our sleep and protect our minds from fear. Through His Word, we can declare victory over every force that seeks to disturb our rest.
Bible Verses To Pray Against Bad Dreams
Whether you are experiencing nightmares yourself or praying for a loved one, these Bible verses will help you stand firm in faith, trusting that God will guard your heart and mind as you sleep.
1. Psalm 4:8
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
2. Proverbs 3:24
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
3. Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.”
4. Philippians 4:6-7
“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.”
5. 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
6. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
7. Psalm 91:5
“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,”
8. Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
9. Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
10. Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
11. Psalm 91:1-2
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”
12. Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
13. Psalm 121:7-8
“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
14. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
15. Psalm 34:7
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
16. Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
17. Hebrews 4:9-11
“There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.”
18. Psalm 23:2-3
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
19. Exodus 33:14
“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'”
20. Psalm 46:10
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'”
21. Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
22. Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
23. 2 Corinthians 10:5
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
24. Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.”
25. Philippians 4:6-7
“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.”
26. Isaiah 41:10
“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.”
27. Psalm 34:4
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
28. Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
29. 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
30. Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
31. Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
32. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
33. Isaiah 41:10
“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.”
34. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
35. Psalm 119:50
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
36. Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
37. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
38. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
39. Psalm 30:5
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
40. 2 Corinthians 7:6
“But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,”
41. Psalm 9:9-10
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
42. Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
43. Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
44. Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
45. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
46. Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
47. 1 Peter 5:10
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
48. Psalm 34:17-18
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
49. Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
50. Psalm 121:7-8
“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
51. Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
52. Psalm 16:8
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
53. Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
54. Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
55. Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
56. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
57. Psalm 62:8
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
58. Psalm 34:15
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.”
59. Psalm 91:4
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
60. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Conclusion
Bad dreams do not have to control your nights or affect your peace. By standing on God’s promises and praying His Word, you can overcome fear and rest securely in His presence. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) reminds us, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” When we place our trust in God and seek Him through prayer, He brings comfort and protection, ensuring that our sleep is peaceful and undisturbed.
No matter the cause of your bad dreams, God is greater. As you meditate on these Bible verses and make them part of your nightly prayers, believe that He is watching over you. Declare His promises with faith, and trust that His peace will cover you. Sleep peacefully, knowing that the Lord is your refuge and that no fear can stand against His mighty presence.
