A prayer to sleep

Ending your day with prayer is a wonderful way to let go of stress and find peace before falling asleep. No matter what you faced today, talking to God through goodnight prayers will renew your faith. Evening prayer also helps you see all the good things that happened in your day that you have to be thankful for!

Share these nine bedtime and evening prayers with your children, spouse and friends so they too can fall asleep feeling blessed and thankful! 

Goodnight Prayer for Blessings

Bless us with rest tonight, Jesus, and a good night’s sleep. Forgive us for the things we did today that did not honor you. Thank you for loving us so much and that you know us through and through. We need your help every day, and we thank you for the strength you give and for helping us know that with you, even hard things are possible. Bless our family and our home, and keep us safe through the night. May your angels guard us and watch over us, just like you promised.

You’ve told us we are just like sheep. And that you lead us and guard us like a shepherd. You know our names, and you make us feel special and loved. When we hurt, you help us feel better. Thank you, Jesus, for your good care and for giving us to help. Thank you for the Bible, and for teaching us stuff in life that helps us grow. Bless the people in our world, and help them to know you love them, too. Thank you for all the people who help us so much: teachers, doctors, policeman, and fireman—and so many more.

Thank you for your good plan for our lives. Help us to obey you and love you more and more. When we awake in the morning, put a smile on our face and your purpose in our hearts, ready to start a new day. We love you, Jesus. Good night. In Jesus’s precious name, Amen. ~ ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

A Bedtime Prayer to Stop an Anxious Heart

Dear Lord, please help me trust You and empower me through Your Spirit to stop my emotions from bossing me around. I want to quit worrying about what might happen and focus on what has already happened by remembering and praising You for Your faithfulness in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Renee Swoop

Giving Thanks Evening Prayer

Dear God, we thank you tonight for the good day and for the special way you take care of us all the time. Thank you for the fun times outside and the quiet times inside, and for helping us learn new things every day.

Thank you for creating us special, exactly the way you wanted. Thank you for protecting us throughout the day. Forgive us for the wrong things we do. Thank you for loving us even when we disobey or try to do things our way. Help us to always choose your way, God, because it’s always best. We pray for all the people who don’t know you, and that they will come to understand your love for them, too.

Bless our family and thank you for good times together and apart. Bless our friends and those we love, including our grandparents, our aunts and uncles and cousins. Thank you for our home and a place to sleep and good food to eat. Help us rest well, give us peaceful dreams, and send your angels around our home to protect us throughout the night. Teach us to trust you and to love you more and more. You are good; you are great; and you are faithful, God. And we love you. Good night. In Jesus’s precious name, Amen. ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

A Short Night-time Prayer (2 Timothy 1:7)

For God’s not given me a spirit of fear, 
But a spirit of love, 
and of power, and a sound mind,
To live each day and glorify his name. 

Popular Child’s Bedtime Prayer, 18th Century

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Alternative Version for Children:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Watch and guard me through the night,
and wake me with the morning light.
Amen.

A Beautiful Prayer to End the Day

Heavenly Father, my day is drawing to an end, and I’m ready to turn in. But before I do, I have to thank you for your faithfulness today. It’s always a good day, even when things may not go the way I plan, or when the world seems in chaos, because you are in control.

For all the times when I was aware of your help today, all the times when your unseen presence seemed so near, thank you, God. But for all the ways you worked behind the scenes, unknown to me, moments when heaven-sent angels moved on my behalf in ways I’ll never know, thank you for those also, Lord.

Forgive me for any foolish actions on my part today or things I did without first asking your blessing or wisdom. Those are moments I’d rather forget, but I’m so grateful for your forgiveness when I ask. I never want to go to bed without clearing the air between us, Lord. Our friendship means too much, and your holiness deserves that. Thank you for loving me just as I am. Your love compels me to give you my all and fills my heart with praise for the relationship we share because of Jesus.

As I close my eyes tonight, I’m praying for loved ones around me, for friends and those who need to know you, Lord. I’m praying that your love, like the billions of stars in the night sky outside, will touch them and help them see who you really are. I pray for our world and those in it. I pray for their needs as well as my own.

Grant me a good night’s sleep tonight, God, so that I can awake refreshed and ready to begin another day loving you. Thank you again for blessings so undeserved and too numerous to count. I love being your child, and I long for the word “faithful” to describe my service to you, each day of every year. When I awake in the morning, may it be with a joyful smile, not a grumpy spirit. May your protection and your presence bathe this place with peace and safety against the enemy. Good night, Lord. In Jesus’s name, Amen. ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Father, We Thank Thee

Father, we thank thee for the night,
And for the pleasant morning light;
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the day so fair.
Help us to do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good;
In all we do, in work or play,
To grow more loving every day.
— Rebecca Weston – 1890

Bedtime Prayer (song by Twila Paris)

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray dear Lord that you will keep
Your eyes upon this sleeping world
Every little boy and girl

Bless the children far away
The ones who don’t know how to pray
Those who are not feeling well
The little one the slipped and fell

Bless the puppy down the street
The neighbors I have yet to meet
Bless my mom and dad especially

Just one more thing I’d like to say
Before I close another day
I’d like to thank you Lord for all the ways
That You bless me

Bless the child whose home is torn
The babies who are not yet born
Bless the ones who take your word
To all the hearts that have not heard

Bless all your children everywhere
I hope they know how much you care
Maybe someday I can go
And tell them that You love them so

Bless Grandma and my Grandpa too
And all my friend and all they do
Bless every twig upon my family tree

Just one more thing I’ll say to you
I’m so amazed by all you do
I’ll thank you once again because it’s true
That you bless me

The Examen (Evening Reflection)

Written by St. Ignatius Loyola, the Examen is a daily process for prayerfully reflecting on your day. 

1. Remember God’s presence.
Even after a trying day, God will quiet your soul as you remember His presence and intentionally seek to enter into it. Remember He’s with you. Invite Him to make Himself present to you. 

2. Respond to Him with thanks.
Giving thanks gives God glory and helps us look on the bright side of a bad day. What small blessings can you thank God for?

3. Reflect on how God showed Himself to you.
God reveals himself through scripture, but we also see glimpses of him in nature, events, and people. Sometimes He shows up loudly through miraculous, divine intervention. Other times He shows Himself quietly through the beauty of a flower or an earnest conversation. As you look back over your day, can you identify moments where you sensed God’s revelation or intervention? 

4. Repent of your failings.
I don’t like recognizing my own sin, but repentance is key to continual renewal in our relationship with God.As you reflect on your day, remember specific points where you failed. Bring your shortcomings before God and ask Him to forgive you.  

5. Resolve to grow. 
God is in the business of changing us, so don’t let your failings discourage or define you. His mercies are always new. Accept His forgiveness. Ask Him for grace to change. Is there anything you need to make right or anyone you need to apologize to? What can you do differently tomorrow?

Do you have a favorite goodnight prayer you use at bedtime? One that your parents taught you or that you are teaching your children? Share it with our community in the comments below!

This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.

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Praying for peaceful sleep

Oh Heavenly Father, as I lay my head down to sleep, I ask for your comfort and strength. Ease my mind. Help me to let everything go, and leave it all in your hands. Give me peace that I may sleep without tossing and turning.

Encamp your angels around me, that no harm will come to me or my household. I cover each and every member of my household in the blood of Jesus.

Read also: A Prayer for those Sleepless Nights

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.

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. 

Encamp your angels around me, that no harm will come to me or my household. Click To Tweet

Praying for a restful night

Almighty God, bless my night, and bless the coming day. I’m so tired and anxious, burdened by the cares of the day. Lay your hand upon me and quiet my restless soul. Cradle me in your protective arms, dear Lord. Give me rest that tomorrow will be a very productive day.

Refresh me fully and fill me with your joy, oh Heavenly Father.  Wipe away my tears of today. I repent of my sins and look to your Holy Spirit for guidance and protection. In Jesus name, Amen!

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” 

Psalm 46:1-2, 10-11 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble, therefore we will not fear…Be still, and know that I am God…the Lord Almighty is with us.”

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. -Psalm 30:5. Click To Tweet

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What keeps you awake at night?

Do you lie down to sleep only to find that sleep avoids you?

Instead of counting sheep, you count your problems. Or you replay a conversation you wish you could re-do? Or you add to-dos to tomorrow’s list instead of finishing today?

We often lie down to sleep, but our thoughts hold such a tight grip that sleep doesn’t come. We grip at the past. Our minds spin, grasping for answers for the future. Or we clutch present fears tighter than we clutch the pillow  .

But God made us to sleep. It’s a daily reminder that he is God; we are not.

Sleep is a daily practice of letting go. In sleep we surrender. In sleep we loosen our grip on life. We let go of control long enough to receive rest.

Instead of letting go though, we’re more like the toddler with droopy eyelids who fervently resists rest. We resist going to bed with one more task to accomplish, one more show to distract, or a few more scrolls on the screen. And once we actually lie down, we resist sleep with worries, fears and regrets. Or sometimes plain excitement keeps us awake.

Today I want to share with you, “A Prayer to Sleep”. I adapted it from various verses in the Psalms about lying down to sleep. It’s a bedtime prayer that will help you finish the day resting in God. It’s a prayer that will help you let go so you can receive rest.

The prayer follows the flow of this simple acronym – R.E.S.T. It represents four habits listed in the Psalms to practice when you lie down to sleep. (And R.E.S.T. helps me remember the flow of the prayer.)

• Remember God.  He watches over you, protects you and hears your prayers.
• Entrust the day to him. Let go of the day, the good and the bad, with gratitude that God accepts the offering of the day just as it is. Release the day for rest instead of clinging to it for a re-do.
• Speak your fears. Name them. And let go of them. Simply naming them diminishes the space they occupy in your thoughts. Giving them to God puts them in better hands and it frees you up to receive.
• Trust the Lord. You can sleep because you trust the Lord to be with you. You trust that he ministers to you even through the watches of the night.

Try using this prayer when you lie down to sleep. Feel free to print a copy of this to keep by your bed at night to pray when you lie down. Or make this your final screen scroll at the end of the day. Pray the whole thing. Choose a phrase from it to repeat with deep breaths. Or meditate on a portion of it.

My hope for you is that these words from the Psalms give you rest when you lie down to sleep.

A Prayer to Sleep

I lie down to sleep, O Lord.

By day you send your love to me,

even at night you counsel my heart.

At night your song is with me,

it’s my prayer to you, the God of my life.

……………………………….

I lie down and remember you, O Lord,

I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help,

I sing in the shadow of your wings.

My soul clings to you

and your right hand upholds me.

……………………………….

I lie down and search my heart, O Lord.

I am silent before you.

Let the offering of this day be pleasing to you.

I trust in you, O Lord.

(Entrust the day to God just as it is, as an offering to Him.

Give thanks for the good, let go of the bad.)

……………………………….

I lie down to sleep, O Lord;

And I will wake again because you sustain me.

You fill my heart with greater joy

than the abounding riches of others.

……………………………….

I lie down and sleep in peace, O Lord,

For you alone make me dwell in safety.

I will not fear the tens of thousands

drawn up against me on every side.

I will not fear…

(Name the fears you entrust to the Lord.)

I trust in you, O Lord, for you are with me.

……………………………….

I lie down and sleep, O Lord,

because you are a shield around me.

You give me glory and lift up my head.

You lift my spirits when I am distressed.

You answer me when I call out to you.

……………………………….

I lie down and sleep, O Lord,

because you are merciful and hear my prayers.

I lie down, O Lord.

I trust you.

I sleep. 

Amen.

“A Prayer to Sleep” is adapted primarily from Psalm 3 & 4, other references include Psalm16:7, 63:6, 42:8

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Enjoy reading and share 42 famous quotes about Sleep Prayer with everyone.

“I see the way you look at him, and he looks at you. Dont question love, Iris. It may have come to you in an inconvenient form, one that society finds scandalous, but its a gift from God. A reminder that this institution cant interfere with natural processes, like laughter, prayer, a dream that comes to you in sleep. Or love. Do with it what you want, but know it means God still sees you not as a lunatic but as His child.”
— Kathy Hepinstall —

“Answer me when I call to you,
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
the Lord will hear when I call to him.
In your anger do not sin;
When you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Offer the right sacrifices
and trust in the Lord.
Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?”
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.
You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down and sleep in peace
for you alone, O Lord,
make me to dwell in safety.”

— King David

“When Graciela was finally ready for bed, Jenny waited while the kid knelt and basically offered up the same prayer as she did every night. Jenny made a face during the blessing of the cousins, and she spoke the last words in unison with Graciela. “And strike Jenny dead, amen.” We don’t need to suggest ways and means, all right? We can leave the details of my demise to God. Now, go to sleep.”
She sighed when Graciela lifted her cheek for a kiss. She didn’t think she would ever get accustomed to death wishes being followed by a good-night kiss.”

— Maggie Osborne

“Author’s Prayer
If I speak for the dead, I must
leave this animal of my body,
I must write the same poem over and over
for the empty page is a white flag of their surrender.
If I speak of them, I must walk
on the edge of myself, I must live as a blind man
who runs through the rooms without
touching the furniture.
Yes, I live. I can cross the streets asking “What year
is it?”
I can dance in my sleep and laugh
in front of the mirror.
Even sleep is a prayer, Lord,
I will praise your madness, and
in a language not mine, speak
of music that wakes us, music
in which we move. For whatever I say
is a kind of petition and the darkest days
must I praise.”

— Ilya Kaminsky

“The seamstress
With fingers weary and worn,
And eyelids heavy and red,
Long after the house sleeps,
Still in her chair she sits.
Her needle flickering, in-out,
Daylight nears and the fire burns low,
Alone with her shirt, still she sews.
She, held prisoner by her thread,
Her heads nods, but sleep forbids,
Just one more seam or button two.
Listen brothers, sons and husbands all,
Call it not just cotton, linen or only wool,
Count each stitch and say a prayer,
For heart and soul that put them there.”

— Nancy B. Brewer

“But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise on your lips.”

— Kahlil Gibran

“When they throw the water on the witch, she says, “Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness”. That line inspired my life. I sometimes say it to myself before I go to sleep, like a prayer.”

— John Waters

“He had heard a voice, a voice in his own heart, which had commanded him to seek rest under this tree, and he had neither preferred self-castigation, offerings, ablutions, nor prayer, neither food nor drink, neither sleep nor dream, he had obeyed the voice. To obey like this, not to an external command, only to the voice, to be ready like this, this was good, this was necessary, nothing else was necessary.”

— Hermann Hesse

“Before I go to sleep tonight; I will speak a nice prayer, I will let my worries leave my mind as silence fills the air.
If I have a bed; to curl between the sheets,
I am an inch more blessed; than the man, on the street.
If I have a love to cuddle; in the comfort of my home,
I am grateful, I still have their presence to tell them, I love them so.
If I have healthy eyes, that I can choose to close;
I am grateful for my sight, because some will never know.
If I have a voice & glistening ears to listen;
Than in all my glory, I am grateful for this livin’
All that really matters; is what, most don’t have the courage to see,
Who you became; from the day of your birth, the dash and the final chapter that makes your story complete.”

— Nikki Rowe

“I had no cause to be awake,
My best was gone to sleep,
And morn a new politeness took
And failed to wake them up,
But called the others clear, 5
And passed their curtains by.
Sweet morning, when I over-sleep,
Knock, recollect, for me!
I looked at sunrise once,
And then I looked at them, 10
And wishfulness in me arose
For circumstance the same.
‘T was such an ample peace,
It could not hold a sigh,
‘T was Sabbath with the bells divorced,
‘T was sunset all the day.
So choosing but a gown
And taking but a prayer,
The only raiment I should need,
I struggled, and was there.”

— Emily Dickinson

“Slow. And she sang, like the moan of an autumn wind Over the stubble left behind: Alas, how easily things go wrong! A sigh too much, or a kiss too long, And there follows a mist and a weeping rain, And life is never the same again. Alas, how hardly things go right! ‘Tis hard to watch on a summer night, For the sigh will come and the kiss will stay, And the summer night is a winter day. “Oh, lovely ghosts my heart is woes To see thee weeping and wailing so. Oh, lovely ghost,” said the fearless knight, “Can the sword of a warrior set it right? Or prayer of bedesman, praying mild, As a cup of water a feverish child, Sooth thee at last, in dreamless mood To sleep the sleep a dead lady should?”

— George MacDonald

“I couldn’t get to sleep at night without saying the Lord’s Prayer because, when I was young, I felt I was touched by the hand of Jesus, and hated myself for challenging it.”

— Bruce Parry

“Oh, how few find time for prayer! There is time for everything else, time to sleep and time to eat, time to read the newspaper and the novel, time to visit friends, time for everything else under the sun, but-no time for prayer, the most important of all things, the one great essential!”

— Oswald J. Smith

“The greatest element in life is not what occupies most of its time, else sleep would stand high in the scale. Nor is it what engrosses most of its thought, else money would be very high. The two or three hours of worship and preaching weekly has perhaps been the greatest signal influence on English life. Half an hour of prayer, morning or evening, every day, may be a greater element in shaping our course than all our conduct and all our thought.”

— Peter Forsyth

“He who sleeps without offering the night prayer, may he never enjoy a sound sleep.”

— Umar

“I ought to pray before seeing any one. Often when I sleep long, or meet with others early, it is eleven or twelve o’clock before I begin secret prayer. I feel it is far better to begin with God-to see His face first, to get my soul near Him before it is near another.”

— Robert Murray M’Cheyne

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