Calm an Anxious Mind with Scripture Psalm 16:11

Your Nightly Prayer

Calm for a Mind That Won’t Quit
Your Nightly Prayer
by Lia Girard

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." - Psalm 16:11

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Do you ever feel your thoughts and worries kick into high gear once all the noise and busyness of the day closes ... when you’d much rather drift off to sleep? Even though I know I can pray for God’s help, and that he wants me to cast my cares at his feet, it’s often difficult to turn down the volume in my head. Sure, I can pray to God, “Please relieve me of these burdens for now and exchange them for rest and peace,” but how do I stop hearing my own fabricated fears, on loop, over and over?

One powerful way to calm a mind that won’t quit is to choose and repeat a passage of scripture that encourages you to trust in God. When you focus on words that are true— rather than your own words that might be overblown or fear-based—you may find that the spiraling sensation slows and the steadiness of God’s promise relaxes you. It’s a tricky situation, though. Because especially when you’re stressed, tired, wired, or afraid, the enemy can take advantage of your weakened state and fill your mind with lies. However, thank God, you can actively replace lies that threaten to steal your sleep with scriptural truths. This strategy is often used in Christian counseling, inspired by passages such as 2 Corinthians 10:5, which instructs us to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Meditating on God’s word, rather than your own racing projections or ruminations, can help truths from the Bible take root in your soul. Reciting scripture aloud—or quietly within—can also help soothe your nervous system.

One such truth is tonight’s scripture, Psalm 16:11, which says, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16 is recorded in scripture to empower you to place absolute trust in God. King David, the psalmist, opens Psalm 16 with, “Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.” He ends in verse 11 with the heartening reminder that earthly things will be eclipsed by eternal pleasure. Saying the words of Psalm 16:11 to yourself, slowly, and as many times as you need to, can serve as a comforter. Proclaiming “you will fill me with joy in your presence” is a way of trading your worries for the joy of knowing God is with you. He knows your thoughts and is directing your path. He can be trusted while you sleep and throughout eternity. None of your worries or spinning thoughts has any power to take that away from you.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Lord,
I know that you are with me everywhere and always. I praise you that you are not the author of lies or fear. You are the director of my path and the only one who promises eternal joy. Help me to replace the worries that keep me awake with scriptural truth. Let me hold fast to Psalm 16:11, and rest in the assurance that you will make my path known and can fill my entire being with joy, leaving no room for anxiety. Help me feel your presence, so I can let my mind be calm and drift peacefully into sleep. I love you and thank you,
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

What is your favorite scripture that reminds you to lay your worries down? Why not write it on a notecard and keep it by your bed?
Try to visualize the presence of God like a warm golden light that illuminates the path God has for you. Can you imagine its warmth as a way of letting go?
Have you ever noticed that you can forget about pain momentarily while laughing? Try smiling to yourself about the joy of being held and loved by the creator of Heaven and Earth. Let this joy wring out all your overthinking, so you can soak up the fullness of his presence.

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Biserka Stojanovic

Lia Girard is a seasoned writer and voice artist who formerly served as the Faith Editor for Crosswalk.com. She is the author of Wisdom at Wit’s End: Abandoning Supermom Myths in Search of Supernatural Peace, and enjoys spending time with her husband and grown children or walking in the woods with God.

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