According to statistics, 10% of the population suffers from insomnia, and every third person shows signs of sleep disturbance. There are many reasons for this disease:
- stress,
- excessive mental stress,
- anxiety,
- bad habits,
- heat or stuffiness,
- improperly equipped sleeping area.
Today there are many ways to combat this - both evidence-based medicine and folk medicine: sedatives and sleeping pills, herbal remedies, massage. But not every person, even a deeply religious person, knows that there is a prayer for insomnia.
Causes of insomnia
Sleep disorder occurs due to physiological and psychological factors. The causes of insomnia may be increased night pain due to chronic diseases, as well as hormonal imbalances. Most often, people cannot sleep at night if they have diabetes or thyroid disease. Sleep problems can arise due to age-related hormonal dysfunctions (for example, due to menopause).
True, insomnia is not always a consequence of some disease. Sometimes a person cannot fall asleep due to a violation of the daytime routine. If you sleep for a long time during the day, it is difficult to fall asleep at night. Insomnia can occur due to stress, strong emotions, or depression. The quality of sleep is affected by eating late at night, watching horror movies, or doing active sports in the evening.
Listening to calm music, a cup of herbal tea or warm milk, or reading a prayer will help you fall asleep quickly. It is advisable to pray every evening before going to bed. Believers can read prayers to the Savior and the Mother of God, and also ask for help from God's holy disciples and followers of the teachings of Christ.
How to pray to Alexander Svirsky?
This man lived at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. He devoted his life to church service. Father Alexander died while he was the abbot of the Trinity Monastery. Now this monastery is called the Holy Trinity Alexander-Svirskaya. Father Alexander was canonized to the rank of venerable saint in the middle of the 16th century, and at the same time his Life was compiled by one of his disciples.
The Monk Alexander does not ignore the needs of those whose hearts are filled with sincere faith in the power of the Lord, and whose thoughts are devoid of guile and are pure.
A prayer for insomnia addressed to this saint could be like this:
“Reverend Father Alexander, who has done many mercies for people through prayers! Look at me, the humble servant of God (proper name), comfort me and do not leave me without help in fierce sorrow. A person should not be without rest at night and, like a demon, tossing around in the corners. Heal me from this accursed scourge, grant me peace and quiet, Father! Bless my soul, endow my mind with clarity and my body with good health. Strengthen my spirit and ward off the demonic attack. Amen".
Who to pray for insomnia
If you can’t sleep, you can read “Our Father” and ask Christ the Savior to send you a long-awaited dream. It is not always convenient to read prayers from a prayer book at night. If a believer is often plagued by insomnia, he will have to learn at least one prayer text by heart.
Sleep disorder is a disease. This illness can be cured by the Lord God or holy people who were canonized after death, and during their lifetime gained the glory of the righteous.
The celestials are addressed with the help of the holiest prayers.
For help with sleep disorders they pray to the Seven Youths of Ephesus, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Jesus Christ, Alexander of Svirsky, Irinarch of Rostov and Saint Maruf. Prayers are read either before going to bed or while lying in bed. Usually they learn one text and repeat it several times in a row until sleep overcomes them.
Prayer of Saint John of Damascus
Master, Lover of Mankind, will this coffin really be my bed, or will you still enlighten my damned soul during the day? For seven the grave lies ahead, for seven the death awaits. I fear Your judgment, O Lord, and endless torment, but I do not stop doing evil: I always anger You, the Lord my God, and Your Most Pure Mother, and all the Heavenly powers, and my holy Guardian Angel. We know, Lord, that I am unworthy of Your love for mankind, but I am worthy of all condemnation and torment. But, Lord, whether I want it or not, save me. Even if you save a righteous man, nothing great; and even if you have mercy on a pure person, nothing is marvelous: you are worthy of the essence of Your mercy. But surprise me, a sinner, with Thy mercy: for this show Thy love for mankind, so that my malice may not overcome Thy unspeakable goodness and mercy: and as you wish, arrange a thing for me. Enlighten my eyes, O Christ God, so that not when I fall asleep into death, and not when my enemy says: “Let us be strong against him.” Glory: Be the protector of my soul, O God, as I walk in the midst of many snares; deliver me from them and save me, O Blessed One, as a Lover of Mankind. And now: Let us incessantly sing with our hearts and lips the Glorious Mother of God and the Most Holy Angel of Saints, confessing this Mother of God as truly having given birth to us God incarnate, and praying unceasingly for our souls.
How prayer helps
If you can’t sleep for a long time, and different thoughts come to mind, it’s better not to “wind up” yourself, but turn on the light, take a prayer book and read a few texts from a book. The most holy prayer will calm the soul, help you forget about problems, and sometimes quench the pain. While reading the prayer text, you need to think about the meaning of what is written and try not to remember your fears. Holy words addressed to God will help you find peace and fall asleep quickly.
The main thing is to sincerely believe in the Savior, live according to his commandments and not sin. God always guides his spiritual children through life. He saves them in case of trouble and shows them the way in a hopeless situation. Without faith in Christ it is impossible to find peace and understand the meaning of life. The Lord is ready to accept into His arms any person at any age.
Good night prayer for a restful sleep
Many modern Orthodox Christian believers offer short and long prayers before going to bed. It is believed that in this way every believer can get rid of the negative impact that other people had on him throughout the day, as well as all the tension that has accumulated. Church ministers recommend that all Christians end their day by offering prayer at night in order to show gratitude to the Almighty, their own Faith in him and his Most Holy Ones.
It’s no secret that night time is the most suitable moment to be alone not only with yourself but also with the Almighty. At this moment, it is recommended to thank your own protector or guardian angel and offer him not only petitions, but also thanksgiving prayers.
The prayer for the night can be either memorized or a leaflet located on the bedside table, or the words can come from the heart. The main thing is that you believe in what you say.
Naturally, due to the modern rhythm of life, every person does not have time during the day to be alone with the Almighty, but prayer before bed is the optimal time and solution when you can put a candle near the home iconostasis and say a prayer. Ask for a restful sleep or forgiveness for actions that were committed during the day. It is important that such a prayer be heard several times daily, in this way you will attract the attention of your patrons and be under their reliable protection.
It is important to say prayers for the night by placing candles near the home iconostasis and clearing your heart of negative emotions. The words that you pronounce must be clear, meaningful, no matter to whom they will be addressed to the Almighty himself or to his many assistants. You can also offer a prayer at night, directed to your own patrons or guardian angels; the choice remains with each Orthodox Christian believer.
How to read correctly for an adult
It is advisable to memorize the prayer for insomnia and say it in a whisper while lying in bed when you cannot fall asleep. True, according to church rules, believers are required to pray before going to bed. Before going to bed, Christians should read the Lord's Prayer, prayers to the Mother of God, Guardian Angel, saints, Psalm 90.
If a person suffers from a sleep disorder, he needs to recite several texts of a short evening prayer rule and be sure to make a request to a saint who helps with insomnia. Prayers are read out loud or silently. The main thing is to think about God while reading prayer texts and forget about your problems.
In case of a serious illness that causes insomnia, it is better to consult a doctor and be sure to go to confession in church. Without repentance for sins it is impossible to receive healing. God is merciful, he forgives sinners and gives them another chance.
Questions for the priest
Not all lay people are able to fall asleep soundly after reading a prayer.
Orthodox Christians are often interested in how to read prayer words correctly. The saint to whom people turn in prayer hears only sincere words in which faith is felt, without anger or other negative feelings. When you pray, listen to every word you say, whether spoken in a whisper or to yourself, and delve into its meaning. When reading your texts, you must first thank the Lord for what the layman has, glorify the Savior, and only then ask for sleep and rest.
There are many different herbal infusions and medicines that can relieve insomnia. But they accustom the body to the constant use of products and will not provide adequate rest and a cheerful state in the morning. Prayer always helps against insomnia and gives good mood and vigor after waking up.
Strong Orthodox prayers for insomnia
A believer suffering from a sleep disorder can turn to the Lord at any moment, repent of his sins and ask Christ the Savior for healing from his illness. Insomnia is a disease that exhausts a Christian, preventing him from recovering and renewing his supply of vitality. There are many ways to escape from sleep disorders. Calming pills, herbal teas, and calm music help. However, nothing will save you from emotional distress like communicating with God and the saints through reading prayers from annoying insomnia.
To the Seven Youths of Ephesus
Prayer to the holy young men, who, by the grace of God, slept for 200 years, saves you from insomnia. The youths of Ephesus did not die, walled up alive in a cave because they did not renounce their faith in Christ, but, thanks to the intercession of the Savior, they were in a state of sleep for two whole centuries. Believers suffering from insomnia can pray to the Lord and ask him for peace and peace of mind. You can turn in prayer to the youths of Ephesus and enlist their intercession and intercession before God. A prayerful appeal to the saints helps both an adult and a child to calm down and fall asleep quickly, and also cleanses the soul of a believer from negativity.
Prayer to the Lord with mention of the youths of Ephesus (first)
Great God, praiseworthy and incomprehensible, and inscrutable, who created man by Thy hand, took away the dust from the earth, and honored him with Thy image, Jesus Christ, the most desired name, with Thy Beginning Father and with Thy Most Holy, and Good, and Life-giving Spirit, appearing on Thy servant (name), and visit his soul and body, we beg from our glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, the holy Heavenly Powers of the Bodiless, and the honorable and glorious prophet, and the Forerunner and Baptist John, the holy glorious and all-praised apostles, like our holy father , and ecumenical teachers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom, Athanasius and Cyril, Nicholas of Mirech, Spyridon the Wonderworker, and all the holy leaders, the holy Apostle Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen, the holy glorious great martyrs George the Victorious, Demetrius the Myrrh-Bearer, Theodore Stratilates, and all the holy martyrs, venerable and God-bearing fathers Anthony, Euthymius, Savva the Sanctified, Theodosius of the general life of the head,
Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev-Pechersk, Onuphrius, Arseny, Athanasius of Afonsky, and all the venerables, saints and healers, the unmercenary Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Falaley and Tryphon and others, the holy righteous John of Kronstadt, the holy venerable John of Rylsk, the holy blessed Xenia Petersburg and all Your saints.
And give him the sleep of repose, the sleep of bodily health and salvation and life, and the strength of soul and body, just as You sometimes visited Your saint Abimelech in the temple of Agrippa, and You gave him a dream of consolation, not to see the fall of Jerusalem, and to sleep with this nourishing sleep, and again resurrected in one moment of time, to the glory of Your goodness.
But Your holy seven glorious youths, confessors and witnesses of Your appearance, showed, in the days of Decius the king and apostate, and slept in the den for a hundred and eighty years, like infants warmed in the womb of their mother, and having never suffered corruption, to praise and glory Your love for mankind, and as a testimony and notification of our rebirth and resurrection of all.
Therefore, the Tsar who loves mankind, appear now through the influx of Your Holy Spirit, and visit Your servant (name), and grant him health, strength, and blessings, by Your goodness, for from You comes every good gift, and every gift is perfect. For You are the physician of our souls and bodies, and we send up glory and thanksgiving and worship to You, with Your Originless Father, and with Your Most Holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to the Youths of Ephesus (second)
Oh, most wonderful holy seventh generation, praise to the city of Ephesus and the hope of the whole universe! Look from the heights of heavenly glory at us, who honor your memory with love, especially at the Christian infants, entrusted to your intercession by their parents: bring down upon her the blessing of Christ God, saying: leave the children to come to Me: heal the sick in them, comfort the sorrowful; Keep their hearts pure, fill them with meekness, and in the soil of their hearts plant and strengthen the seed of the confession of God, so that they may grow to the best of their ability; and all of us, who stand before your holy icon, kissing your relics with faith and praying warmly to you, vouchsafe to enhance the Kingdom of Heaven and glorify there with silent voices of joy the magnificent name of the Most Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer to the Lord with mention of the youths of Ephesus (third)
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who comes to judge the living and the dead, prayers for the sake of the seven youths of Ephesus, have mercy on us sinners, forgive the fall of our entire lives, and through our destinies hide us from the face of the Antichrist in the hidden desert of Your salvation.
Alexander Svirsky
Prayers to the Russian saint, who was honored during his lifetime to see God in three forms at the same time, save a person’s soul from sin, protect him from enemies, and bestow peace and tranquility. His Holiness monk Alexander Svirsky dedicated his life to serving the Lord. A prayerful appeal to the reverend elder helps believers in Christ find peace of mind and be healed of various diseases, including insomnia.
Prayer to Alexander Svirsky
O sacred head, earthly angel and heavenly man, venerable and God-bearing Father Alexandra, eminent servant of the Most Holy and Consubstantial Trinity, show many mercies to those living in your holy monastery and to all who flow to you with faith and love! Ask us for all the good we need for this temporary life, and even more so for our eternal salvation: help us through your intercession, servant of God, so that the holy Orthodox Church of Christ may abide deeply in peace, and the Fatherland is founded in prosperity, indestructible in all piety: be unto us all, miracle-working saint, a quick helper in every sorrow and situation: especially at the hour of our death, a merciful intercessor appeared to us, so that we may not be betrayed in the ordeals of the air to the power of the evil ruler of the world, but may we be honored with a stumbling-free ascension into the Kingdom of Heaven. Hey, Father, our dear prayer book! Do not disgrace our hope, but always stand for us, the servants of God (names), before the throne of the Life-Giving Trinity, so that together with you and with all the saints, even if we are unworthy, we may be worthy to glorify in the villages of paradise the greatness, grace and mercy of the one God in the Trinity , Father and Son and Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
Venerable Irinarch of Rostov
Prayers to the holy monk, who performed ascetic and spiritual deeds during his lifetime, help to find peace of mind, get rid of painful memories and fall asleep quietly and peacefully. It is important for believers to know that Irinarch of Rostov was very strict with himself. During his life, he tried to tame his flesh by wearing heavy chains and beating his body with an iron stick. After his death, the monk was canonized as a venerable saint.
The Holy One, like no one else, understood human weaknesses. A prayerful appeal to him helps to rid the soul of sin and enlist the support of the reverend elder.
Prayer to St. Irinarch of Rostov (first)
O Reverend Father Irinarsha! Behold, we earnestly pray to you: be our ever-present intercessor, ask for us, the servants of God (names), from Christ God peace, silence, prosperity, health and salvation, and protection from all enemies, visible and invisible, and cover us with your intercession from the presence of any troubles and sorrows, especially from the temptations of the dark enemy, may we all glorify the all-holy name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, grant us bodily and mental peace through the prayers of your saints: the holy seven youths of Ephesus, the Venerable Alexander of Svir and the Venerable Irinarch of Rostov. Thy holy will be done. Amen.
Prayer to Irinarch of Rostov (second)
O great servant of Christ, voluntary sufferer, new-born miracles, Our Father Irinarsha, fertilizer of the Russian land, praise to the city of Rostov, great decoration and affirmation of this monastery!
Who would not be surprised at your spontaneous and long-term suffering patience: For thirty more years you confined yourself in a cramped and cold hut, you suffered coldness, greed and exhaustion of the flesh of the Kingdom for the sake of the Heavenly Kingdom, and to this end you also endured expulsion from the monastery, due to the obsession of the enemy, without a murmur.
We know that in the midst you were begged by the brethren, like a gentle lamb, that you returned to your monastery and settled in that hut, like hard adamant, arming yourself with patience against the invisible demonic hordes and your visible enemies. When, by God's permission, you came to this monastery with the desires of the warriors, you were not afraid of mortal punishment, but, being wise in your words, you returned to your own place.
For this reason, the All-Good God, seeing your faith and suffering long-suffering, gave you the gift of insight and healing: you gave healing to the demons, to the lame, to the blind, to the blind, and many others who came to you with faith for good, even to the point of working miracles. We are unworthy, having seen such miracles and fulfilled joy, we cry to you: Rejoice, valiant sufferer and conqueror of demons, Rejoice, our quick helper and warm prayer book to God.
Hear us sinners too, praying to you and running under your roof: show your merciful intercession for us to the Almighty and intercede with your God-pleasing prayers everything useful for the salvation of our souls and bodies, preserve this holy monastery, every city and the whole and every Christian country from all the slander of the enemy, in our sorrows and illnesses give us a helping hand, so that through your intercession and intercession, by the grace and mercy of Christ our God, we too will be delivered from our unworthiness, after departing from this life, of this standing, and may we be worthy of the right hand with all the saints forever and ever. Amen.
Jesus Christ
If a Christian is overcome by troubles or tormented by illness, then it is better to turn to the Lord and ask him for salvation. Believers communicate with Christ through prayer. Words addressed to God help to overcome any difficulties and recover from various diseases.
It is necessary to pray to the Most Holy Lord every day. Instead of suffering and thinking about solving some difficult problem, it is better to read a prayer. God will definitely send mercy to a praying person. Turning to the Savior helps to find a way out in any, sometimes even the most hopeless, situation. The power of God is great - the problem disappears along with the people who caused it. You just need to trust the Lord and pray to him daily. Daily prayers to Christ the Savior will help you calm down and not suffer from insomnia.
Prayer to Jesus Christ
Our Father and Jesus Christ, grant me (name) your mercy, do not separate from me on the path of life. I kneel and pray for help in tomorrow, save my sleep and sanctify my life. May your salvation and your love descend upon me on my bed. Forgive my sins for the day and guide me along the path of repentance and light. Let all adversity pass as the day passed. My God and Your Son Jesus, I humbly believe in Your strength and power over evil. Protect Your servant (name). May your kingdom on earth be eternal. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who comes to judge the living and the dead, pray for the sake of the seven youths of Ephesus, have mercy on us sinners, forgive the fall of our entire lives, and through our destinies hide us from the face of the Antichrist in the hidden desert of Your salvation. Amen.
Nicholas the Wonderworker
Prayers to the most holy protector of the poor and disadvantaged save people from hunger, misfortune and disease. Christians suffering from sleep disorders pray to Nicholas the Wonderworker. Believers ask the saint to calm their souls, to grant mercy, peace and tranquility.
Often the causes of insomnia are reasoning about life, self-flagellation, and pangs of conscience. If your soul is uneasy, you can turn to Nikolai and ask him to intercede with the Lord. To calm your conscience, you need to pray to God for forgiveness of sins and salvation.
Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker
Wonderworker Nicholas, Defender and Savior. Tire me with submissive humility and do not torment me with demonic agitation. Free my mind from harmful thoughts, add to my nighttime fatigue. Let the body weaken, let the anxiety go away, let the disorder go away from a difficult day. As soon as prayer flows from the heart, the evil insomnia will be removed from the soul. Forgive me for the sins that torment me, I will believe in God day by day. Thy will be done. Amen.
O our good shepherd and God-wise mentor, Saint Nicholas of Christ! Hear us sinners (names), praying to you and calling on your speedy intercession for help: see us weak, caught from everywhere, deprived of every good and darkened in mind from cowardice.
Try, O servant of God, not to leave us in the sinful captivity of being, so that we may not joyfully be our enemy and not die in our evil deeds. Pray for us unworthy of our Creator and Master, to whom you stand with disembodied faces: make our God merciful to us in this life and in the future, so that He will not reward us according to our deeds and the impurity of our hearts, but according to His goodness He will reward us .
We trust in your intercession, we boast of your intercession, we call upon your intercession for help, and falling to your most holy image, we ask for help: deliver us, saint of Christ, from the evils that come upon us, so that for the sake of your holy prayers the attack will not overwhelm us and we will not be desecrated in the abyss of sin and in the mud of our passions.
Pray to Saint Nicholas of Christ, Christ our God, that he may grant us a peaceful life and remission of sins, salvation and great mercy for our souls, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Saint Maruf
Prayer to the monk, who dedicated his entire life to serving Christ the Savior, will help calm the soul and get rid of painful memories. Turning to the holy Maruf helps to find peace, get rid of demonic obsession, and clear your head of sinful thoughts. People suffering from insomnia read prayers to this celestial being and always receive long-awaited consolation.
Prayer to Saint Maruf
O sacred head, reverend father, blessed Abvo Marufa, do not forget your poor to the end, but always remember us in holy and auspicious prayers to God: remember your flock, which you yourself shepherded, and do not forget to visit your children, pray for us, father sacred, for your spiritual children, as if you had boldness towards the Heavenly King: do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us, who honor you with faith and love: remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying to Christ God, for it is given May you have the grace to pray for us. We do not imagine that you are dead: even if in body he passed away from us, but even after death he remained alive, do not depart from us in spirit, preserving us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of demons and the machinations of the devil, to our good shepherd even with the relics your cancer is always visible before our eyes, but your holy soul with the angelic hosts, with the disembodied faces, with the heavenly powers, standing at the Throne of the Almighty, worthily rejoices, knowing that you are truly alive after death, we fall down to you and we pray to you: pray about us to the Almighty God, about the benefit of our souls, and ask us time for repentance, so that we may pass from earth to heaven without restraint, and from bitter ordeals, demons of air princes and from eternal torment, may we be delivered from eternal torment, and may we be heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom with all the righteous, from all eternity have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ: to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, together with His Beginning Father, and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit. Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for St. Nicholas the Wonderworker to fall asleep quickly
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is known not only as the patron saint of travelers and children; people turn to him with a variety of requests. A prayer for insomnia to Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered one of the most powerful.
An adult should read a prayer for insomnia before going to bed. You need to focus on the words of the prayer, drive away all disturbing thoughts and relax. For greater effect, it is recommended to read a prayer in front of the icon with the face of St. Nicholas the Pleasant, in front of which three candles should be lit. If you turn to a saint every day, prayer will help with insomnia and any infirmity.
Text of prayer for insomnia in an adult
O our good shepherd and God-wise mentor, Saint Nicholas of Christ! Hear us sinners (names), praying to you and calling on your speedy intercession for help: see us weak, caught from everywhere, deprived of every good and darkened in mind from cowardice.
Try, O servant of God, not to leave us in the sinful captivity of being, so that we may not joyfully be our enemy and not die in our evil deeds. Pray for us unworthy of our Creator and Master, to whom you stand with disembodied faces: make our God merciful to us in this life and in the future, so that He will not reward us according to our deeds and the impurity of our hearts, but according to His goodness He will reward us .
We trust in your intercession, we boast of your intercession, we call upon your intercession for help, and falling to your most holy image, we ask for help: deliver us, saint of Christ, from the evils that come upon us, so that for the sake of your holy prayers the attack will not overwhelm us and we will not be desecrated in the abyss of sin and in the mud of our passions.
Pray to Saint Nicholas of Christ, Christ our God, that he may grant us a peaceful life and remission of sins, salvation and great mercy for our souls, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
