God cares about every detail of your life, including your sleep, which is why there are plenty of Bible verses related to sleep. So, if you’re struggling with sleeplessness and restless nights, reading the Bible can be a great thing to do, mainly because it fills your mind with peace before bedtime.
There are obviously several things that can help us to have better sleep, including drinking plenty of water, turning off devices an hour before bed, and getting in a decent amount of exercise during the day. Even then, Scripture shows us that rest is Biblical and that trusting in God can help us sleep in peace.
So whether you can't sleep because you have a lot on your mind or you're struggling with a health condition like insomnia, God cares about it all. As you navigate the road to better sleep, here are 12 Bible verses about sleep to help you rest and set your mind at ease.
Beyond that, Glorify has a collection of sleep stories to help, all focused on Scripture. Find it in our content library on the app.
Sleep is a natural part of being human. It keeps us alive. Some get loads of it, some don’t need as much as others, and some really struggle. But the fact is, it’s an important part of life. God created sleep to help us recover, to recharge for the day ahead, and as an opportunity to find true rest. Sleep is essential for good long-term health, a good mood, and our overall physical fitness.
There are times in the Bible where characters sleep, and in a lot of cases, it is when God chooses to speak to them, through dreams, like He did to Jesus’ father, Joseph, or King Nebuchadnezzar. Sometimes, God even disrupts sleep to set things in motion for His glory, like in the Book of Esther, when Mordecai and Esther are protected because the King had a disturbance in his sleep.
All in all, God is an advocate for true rest and sent His son to be our Prince of Peace. Jesus Christ is the sovereign Lord, meaning He is in control of all things, sees all things, and knows all things. While we sleep, we can trust that Jesus, in His kind and compassionate nature, is interceding for us in prayer and watching over us.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Many Bible verses about sleep do not directly reference sleep but are nonetheless very comforting and are often exactly what we need to hear before bed. Not only does the reading itself help us to feel sleepy, but the comforting words of Scripture can help us sleep peacefully. These Bible verses are great for anyone struggling with anxiety or stress. Here are some examples of Bible verses that may help you sleep better at night.
Peace is what most of us need for sleep. God gives us an eternal, unchanging peace, which should help us in times when we struggle.
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.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
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.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
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."
So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
As we mentioned above, often the reason we can’t sleep is because we have a lot on our minds and are worried about something. Jesus’ words here can be challenging but also comforting when we remind ourselves that there is often little we can do, and God will take care of us.
We hope this rundown of Bible verses about sleep has helped and encouraged you. All of these can be found in the Bible reading section of the Glorify app, and many can be listened to on our daily devotionals and sleep stories, specifically designed to help you rest.
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