Prayers for my sleep paralysis to stop

Catholic Living Prayer Intentions
#1

I need prayers for my sleep paralysis dreams. Last night I woke up but was still dreaming, and I couldn’t move my body. My body felt paralyzed (or my mind was pretending I couldn’t move?) and I couldn’t move my body. While I knew at the time it was a sleep paralysis dream, I called out to a Saint for help (St. Peregrine)-whether verbally or mentally I can’t remember.

I’ve had sleep paralysis ever since I was in elementary school, but I only go through these “episode” periods a few times per year or every other year. This is actually the first one where I was actually semi-conscious of the fact that I couldn’t move my body. Most of my sleep paralysis dreams involve hearing odd repetitive sounds, senses that involve touch, or violent nightmares. I honestly think this was brought upon by the fact I was constantly tossing and turning last night, and couldn’t get any sleep. Probably was also brought upon by stress and the fact I wasn’t feeling good from the food I ate that day.

I’m wondering if people can pray for me that I can get sleep, and maybe suggest a prayer I can say before I go to bed every night.

#2

I’ve suffered from sleep paralysis in the past. It’s terrifying. Saying the Prayer to St. Michael has helped me tremendously in my paralysis state. Also offering a petition to St. Benedict.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen…

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
St. Jude, Patron of Causes despaired of, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.

#3

Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†

#4

ICXC NIKA, for you, OP:)

But take courage, or as future St. JP2 said, “Do not be afraid.”

Sleep paralysis is nothing to be afraid of.

It’s just your mind releasing your muscle tone, so you don’t move around while dreaming, which wastes energy and could be dangerous.

This happens every time we sleep, but normally, our muscles wake up before our minds.

If our mind wakes up first, we find we cannot move.

If this happens to you again, go back to sleep, your body will wake up normally.

Again, ICXC NIKA.

#5

That’s what Doctors told me, that everyone is paralyzed when they are dreaming, to protect them.

#6

True. If this faculty is lost - as can happen in some people for no apparent reason, or as part of another neurological disorder, then people experience “REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder”, in which they actually act out on their dreams and may injure themselves or their spouses.

#7

Praying for your health & recovery.

#8

:thumbsup:

Great advice. As someone who’s had this on and off for years, and now treats it as something of an old friend, I could also add:

  1. Avoid getting too fatigued or sleep-deprived - that can sometimes trigger an attack.
  2. Check if you have other signs or symptoms of narcolepsy - sleep paralysis is often a symptom of narcolepsy. (I add this because there are medications that can help, in this case.)
  3. Check if there’s a particular time of day at which you tend to have the paralysis more often. For example, I find that if I wake up at 5-6 a.m., do something, and then go back to sleep, I invariably have an episode. :stuck_out_tongue:
#9

I also used to awaken and feel paralyzed. Didn’t even know this happened to others! I had it frequently when I was under a lot of stress & worry. It frightened me terribly at the time. I finally would just mentally pray to my Guardian Angel and say mentally a “Hail Mary”, would fall back asleep and wake normally. I found that if I could force myself to make a sound (which I sometimes couldn’t) it would break the paralysis. Terrified me for years until I found that a brief mental “Hail Mary” would let me fall back asleep or else the paralysis would pass and I’d wake up. It finally stopped occurring regularly about 30 years ago, but I had it from my late teens into my 40’s. Still occasionally occurs if I get overtired or stressed out. Good thing I’m not able to move, as I’d probably fall right out of bed too! I don’t worry about it anymore, and if it happens, I pray and go back to sleep. No ill effects later, I just wake up normally and now I don’t fear it anymore. I look at it as an opportunity to say an extra prayer or two then go back to sleep again.

#10

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.

Saint Raphael, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, filled with the mercy of God, etc.
Saint Raphael, perfect adorer of the Divine Word,
Saint Raphael, terror of demons,
Saint Raphael, exterminator of vices,
Saint Raphael, health of the sick,
Saint Raphael, our refuge in all our trials,
Saint Raphael, guide of travelers,
Saint Raphael, consoler of prisoners,
Saint Raphael, joy of the sorrowful,
Saint Raphael, filled with zeal for the salvation of souls,
Saint Raphael, whose name means God heals,
Saint Raphael, lover of chastity,
Saint Raphael, scourge of demons,
Saint Raphael, in pestilence, famine and war,
Saint Raphael, angel of peace and prosperity,
Saint Raphael, endowed with the grace of healing,
Saint Raphael, sure guide in the paths of virtue and sanctification,
Saint Raphael, help of all those who implore your assistance,
Saint Raphael, who was the guide and consolation of Tobias on his journey,
Saint Raphael, whom the Scriptures praise: Raphael, the holy angel of the Lord, was sent to cure,
Saint Raphael, our advocate,

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

Pray for us, Saint Raphael, to the Lord Our God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Lord, Jesus Christ, by the prayer of the Archangel Raphael, grant us the grace to avoid all sin and to persevere in every good work until we reach our heavenly destination, You Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.

#11

Eternal God , in whom mercy is endless,
and the treasury of compassion inexhastible ,
look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us ,
that in difficult moments we might not despair
nor become despondent , but with great confidence ,
submit ourselves to Your Holy Will ,
which is love and mercy itself . Amen

Memorare (Prayer to Our Lady)
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

#12

Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†

#13

That’s interesting, I never knew that. I’ll have to find out more info about that.

Is that the same as sleep-walking? I had a college room mate who also apparently suffers from sleep paralysis, but she told me she also woke up some nights “sleep walking.” Like she was half-dreaming, but walking around our dorm for no apparent reason.

When I had this event happen to me, I’m not sure if I felt a “demonic” presence or not; I know some sleep paralysis dreams can be confused with demonic episodes/possession. I certainly didn’t feel like as if a demon was “sitting” on me, but the moment it happened I knew I was having sleep paralysis. I was confused, which is why I maybe called out to a Saint for help? I’ve never consciously done that before.

Thanks for everyone’s prayers.

#14

Sleepwalking is the reverse of sleep paralysis; it occurs when the body can move during dreaming.

I have never sleepwalked, but a sibling did as a child; I have had SP once – woke up and couldn’t move my hands. I knew what was happening and went back to sleep. It never happened again.

I never felt anything spiritual during this instance or, indeed, at any other time.

PS. If, as you are nodding off, you feel your limbs jerk, that’s just your body going into sleep paralysis. It’s perfectly natural. Again, “Do not be afraid.”

ICXC NIKA

#15

Praying that the Lord may grant you calm and restful sleep free from sleep paralysis.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!

#16