Toddler nightmares and night terrors are not an uncommon experience for our little ones. I always feel so helpless when my 2-year-old son wakes up, crying and crying in the middle of the night. Thankfully, we have a powerful tool that guards against them. In this article, you will be equipped with 6 toddler-friendly bedtime prayers that help protect against nightmares.
Here’s what’s to come:
- Nightmares Vs Night Terrors: What’s The Difference?
- How Common Are Toddler Nightmares And Night Terrors?
- Is There Something Wrong With My Toddler?
- The Power Of Prayer
- 6 Powerful Prayers To Protect Against Nightmares And Night Terrors
- Create An Atmosphere Of Peace In The Bedroom
Nightmares Vs Night Terrors: What’s The Difference?
Deciphering between night terrors and nightmares can be confusing for toddlers and their parents, but they are different experiences.
Nightmares often happen during the time when toddlers have vivid dreams, called REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. These dreams can be scary and wake toddlers up feeling afraid or upset. They might remember the scary dream when they wake up and might need some comforting from their parents.
Night terrors, however, are different. They happen during a different sleep stage called non-REM sleep, usually a few hours after toddlers fall asleep. During night terrors, toddlers may seem really scared, crying, screaming, or moving around a lot, but they might not fully wake up or remember what happened the next morning.
Understanding how nightmares and night terrors differ can help parents support their toddlers better. Nightmares might happen because of things like being scared of the dark or changes in routine, while night terrors can sometimes be linked to being overly tired or even genetics.
While this article is not intended to give any medical advice whatsoever when it comes to addressing the possible causes of night terrors, it is important to understand that night terrors and nightmares are different in nature.
However, the prayers you will learn in this article will help combat both nightmares and night terrors.
How Common Are Toddler Nightmares And Night Terrors?
Nightmares and night terrors are relatively common experiences for toddlers.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, nightmares occur in about 10-50% of children aged 3-5 years old, with the frequency varying from occasional occurrences to more frequent episodes. Night terrors, while less common than nightmares, still affect a significant number of toddlers, occurring in approximately 1-6% of children in this age group. It’s important to note that these estimates can vary widely based on individual differences and environmental factors.
While nightmares often decrease as toddlers grow older and learn to cope with fears and anxieties, night terrors may persist for a longer period but typically resolve on their own over time. Understanding the prevalence of nightmares and night terrors in toddlers can reassure parents that these experiences are a normal part of childhood development for many children.
Is There Something Wrong With My Toddler?
In a nutshell, no. There is nothing wrong with your child.
Disturbances in sleep can be an indicator that there are issues that need addressed, but you’re not doing anything wrong, and it’s most definitely not your fault. If you are worried there might be a more serious issue at play, it’s never a bad idea to consult your pediatrician and get their input.
For now, you are going to equip yourself with these powerful verses and begin praying them over your child every night. Prayer is the best place to begin. It’s our most powerful tool.
The Power Of Prayer
Prayer is, hands down, our most powerful line of defense when it comes to protecting our children.
When I was a small girl, I have very clear memories of my mother praying at my door every night after I went to bed. I took so much comfort in knowing that she prayed for me every night.
After I turned off the lights and laid down in bed, I would wait to hear her come to my door.
Without fail, I’d hear her shuffle to the door in her slippers, use her finger to make a cross symbol on my door three times, and say a prayer for me. She did this for both me and my brothers. Even as a small girl, I understood the power of that nightly ritual, and it brought me tremendous peace.
I’m following in my mom’s footsteps and carrying on the nightly tradition because I fully trust in the power of prayer as a tool of protection over my son as he sleeps. My mom knew what she was doing.
6 Powerful Prayers To Protect Against Nightmares And Night Terrors
The Bible is the true word of God, and it holds unlimited power. God tells us that we have the power of life and death in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Think of the words that come out of your mouth as holding physical properties. Imagine the verses you speak and prayers you pray are literally floating out of your mouth and covering your child like a huge, safe blanket.
The following verses are not just words. They are the living Word of God and continue to protect and guard our children from harm long after we pray them out. Simply pray these verses over your child while they are falling asleep or when they are already snoozing.
Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Proverbs 3:24
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
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.
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.”
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.
Exodus 33:14
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Create An Atmosphere Of Peace In The Bedroom
Nightly prayers that protect against nightmares are an incredible tool, but it’s not the only thing you can do to cultivate peace and comfort in your child’s bedroom. Implementing the following tools will also bring an abundance of peace to the room and fill your little one with comfort as they sleep.
- Play worship music throughout the day in your child’s bedroom
- Start the day with prayer in their room
- Put oil on the door or over the door that leads to your child’s room
- Don’t allow any materials that have negative properties attached to them to enter your child’s room (books, music, television shows, YouTube videos or other negative videos from the Internet, etc).
- Diffuse calming essential oils at bedtime
- Play instrumental worship music as your child falls asleep (THIS is a great one!)
- Hang pictures that have verses on them and cover the bedroom walls with the Word of God
These are some things that I implement with my own child, but you might find other things that create a beautiful, peaceful environment in your child’s room. I would love to know what you do. Please share your ideas in the comments below. We can all inspire each other and learn from what other mamas are doing with their own children.
Conclusion
I hope this article leaves you feeling hopeful and powerful. As a mama, you hold such an incredible authority over your children to release peace, joy, and comfort. Boldly use these prayers that protect against nightmares. Don’t be shy about using the power God has given you to take authority over the evil that tries to influence and disturb your child’s peace.
Own it mama! You are powerful!
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