An Evening Prayer for a Mind That Won't Slow Down

Holy Spirit, my body is lying still,
but my mind keeps running.

It feels like a kitchen with every burner on.
Something is boiling over here,
something is burning over there,
and I keep rushing from one to the next.

Come and turn them down, one by one.
Turn down tomorrow's plans.
Turn down the argument I keep winning in my head.
Turn down the what-ifs and the should-haves.

I can't make my thoughts stop by trying harder.
Every time I try, they only speed up.
So I am asking You instead.

At the very beginning,
You moved over the dark and restless waters,
and out of that chaos came a world.
Move over me now.
Bring order where there is only noise.

Let my mind settle on one thing:
You are here, and I am Yours.
That is enough to think about tonight.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

When to Pray This

Pray this when you are in bed and your thoughts won't settle, or on the sofa after a long day. Say it slowly, and then lie still and breathe for a minute. If sleepless nights go on for weeks, mention it to your doctor as well.

A Verse to Hold On To

"You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You." — Isaiah 26:3 (BSB)