Having Trouble Sleeping? Try this…

Sleeplessness is not outside of God’s ability to rescue. Therefore, if you are having trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the night, try this…

1. Read the scripture promises below aloud.

2. Consecrate your sleeping space to the Lord as a place of communion with Him and thank God for His precious promises of peaceful rest.

3. Ask for God’s forgiveness where you have fallen short of any principle of faith contained in these scriptures. Repentance unclogs the pipe of grace. For example, have you made some bad decisions, rebelled against His commands, been running from His calling on your life, placed trust in yourself rather than in God as your provider, allowed worry to rule your mind, or misrepresented God in your actions? If so, repent. God will forgive and cleanse you. (1 John 1:9)

Repentance is not just a principle of vertical alignment, it is also one of brotherly love. Have you offended someone but refused to apologize? Biblically, we must deal with such offenses by prioritizing reconciliation. If you cannot see them in person to take accountability for your misdeed, consider contacting the person you’ve offended by calling, texting, emailing, or writing a letter to them to acknowledge what you’ve done, seek forgiveness, and state your desire to see God bless them. Pray first to repent of your wrongdoing if you have not already done so. Next, pray that God would give you the courage and the words to say. Then pray for them to have a receptive heart. If you are realizing the need to do this at a late hour, just speak out loud or write down your plans to proceed in obedience to God. Finally, thank God for his mercy, forgiveness, and love in allowing you to recognize and address the error. Don’t judge the success of your apology on the response, but rather on the fact that you were given the grace to do what pleases God.

4. Forgive all offenses. Are you holding a grudge or nagging sense of anger, hurt, or bitterness toward someone? Have you refused in your heart to forgive them? Forgive your offender, release your offenses, and ask that God would deliver that person from bondage, in Jesus’ name. God will forgive you and you will sense a refreshing infusion of serenity in your soul. Your shield of faith will be reactivated, and you will notice a supernatural strength to resist recurring thoughts of offense when the enemy throws them at you like fiery darts. Unforgiveness invites torment (Matt. 18:21-35)

5. Bind any spirit in Jesus’ name that might be involved in your inability to go to sleep. Disconnect yourself from any demonic spirits that may have gained access to your atmosphere unbeknownst to you by associations, relationships, or interactions. As Jesus said, “whoever receives me receives Him who sent me” (Matt. 10:40). People—even believers—sometimes find themselves battling spiritual powers that have established footholds in their lives through the people, organizations, and even media they interact with. By receiving them with open ears, hearts, and minds, they unknowingly received a spiritual Trojan Horse which was cunningly sent by Satan to serve as a connection point to the kingdom of darkness. Thank God though that we have been given authority over all demonic spirits and their defeated power, to free ourselves from snares, and to receive miracles through prayer (Proverbs 6:5, Matthew 18:18-19, & Luke 10:19).

Sometimes, in the case of hotel rooms or temporary dwellings, declare over the space that the spirit of Jesus Christ is welcome and in control over that territory. Then command any demonic portals that may have been opened through sin or wickedness in that space by previous occupants to be closed for good, in Jesus’ name. Then command any lingering demons to flee, in Jesus’ name.

To assist you in your warfare, calling a fellow believer to pray with you can provide you with the faith boost you need to subdue oppressive spirits and receive your breakthrough. Consider bringing brother or sister in Christ into the effort. That’s what the Body of Christ is here for (Gal. 6:2).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Taking authority over harassing spirits also includes disconnecting yourself from things which enable them—hence the burning of magical books in Acts 19:19-20. Thus, be willing to rid your home (or room in the safe of non-owners) of accursed items such as skulls, masks representing idols, amulets, magical charms, crystals, or tarot cards. This also includes books and any other items related to astrology, sorcery, new age spirituality, divination, witchcraft, pagan numerology, ancestral spirituality, or eastern mysticism (ie. yoga). These things give demons a legal right to operate within spaces with the intent of disrupting our ability to commune with and freely receive from the Father. This can be why many people find sensations of fear and anxiety take place only in certain rooms or buildings but not others. Even for believers, the word of God is true that “Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies” (Jonah 2:8). Thus, the protection and peace that are rightfully ours must be guarded through willful compliance with God’s command to “touch not the unclean thing” (2 Cor. 6:17) and to “not lust after evil things” (1 Cor. 10:6).

6. Lastly, command your mind, body, and soul to relax and receive the peace of God, in Jesus’ name. As we read in Proverbs 18:19, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” If peace is your inheritance as a child of God, enforce it with the words of your mouth. And as the scriptures say, You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you“ (Job 22:28). Sleep will come.

7. If there is any waiting period between performing these steps and falling asleep, fill this time with reading Scripture. The biblical books of Psalms, Proverbs, and the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are excellent resources for moments like these. If any worries come to mind, release them by name unto the Lord, thank Him for being in control, and continue reading. May the Father’s presence rest upon you and bring you comfort as you drift away, in Jesus’ name.

NOTE: God desires for us to have freedom in every area of our lives, including our physical rest. However, if you have not received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, requesting help for sleep alone is like asking for a bandaid for a terminal illness. Sin is humanity’s ultimate problem and serves as the root of all suffering. Out of sheer otherworldly love for us, Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead to rescue us from the consequences of sin and death in all of its forms—which includes insomnia. If you have not done so, before engaging in these steps of relief from restlessness, pray and ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to save your soul. Confess your belief that He is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for your sins and rose from the grave. Then ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit and use your life for His glory. #SweetDreams

BIBLE PROMISES REGARDING SLEEP:

Proverbs 3:21-26 - “Maintain your competence and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them. They will be life for you and adornment for your neck. Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.”

Psalm 127:2 - “In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food— yes, He gives sleep to the one He loves.”

Proverbs 19:23 - “The fear of the Lord leads to life; one will sleep at night without danger.”

Matthew 6:25-27, 34 - “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying? Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Psalm 4:8 - “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Psalm 34:7 - “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.

Romans 15:13 - “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Jason Weathers

Apostle, Prophet, & Mentor

AIM Prophetic Training Network

Kingdom Heritage Ministries USA