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!
Table of contents
- 1 Goodnight Prayer for Blessings
- 2 A Bedtime Prayer to Stop an Anxious Heart
- 3 Giving Thanks Evening Prayer
- 4 A Short Night-time Prayer (2 Timothy 1:7)
- 5 Popular Child’s Bedtime Prayer, 18th Century
- 6 A Beautiful Prayer to End the Day
- 7 Father, We Thank Thee
- 8 Bedtime Prayer (song by Twila Paris)
- 9 The Examen (Evening Reflection)
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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A bedtime prayer is a perfect way to give thanks for the blessing of the day and pray for the hope for tomorrow. Here is a listing to some of the best and original Christian bedtime prayers for adults.
Prayer #1
“Heavenly Father, how we thank You for bringing us safely to the end of the day and we praise and thank You for Your loving-kindness and great goodness to us today.
Thank You for the many blessings and provisions that You bestowed on us today – for keeping us safe and guiding us and brining us once again to that time of the day when we can recharge our spirits and souls with a refreshing nights sleep.
Forgive me I pray if I have said or done anything that was not honouring to Your name or have sought to do things in my own strength rather than relying totally on You – for I praise You that Your grace is sufficient for Your strength is perfected in our weakness.
And now Lord as we lie down we pray that You would watch over us to protect and keep us safe. Give us a deep and refreshing sleep and may we cast any burdens or difficulties on You and not allow our minds to fret or worry… for You have promised to carry all our burdens if we will just give them to You.
Protect those we love and bring us we pray into Your kingdom in Your time and in Your way for we thank You that our times are safe in Your hands.. this we pray in Jesus name, Amen.”
Prayer #2
“Father, Thank you for today, for all the ways in which I have known you…
For the sunrise and the birdsong,
For the music I’ve heard, and the things I’ve enjoyed,
For the meals, and for the cosy home I live in,
For my close family and for my special friends,
Most of all, thank you for being beside me through each moment.
May I dream good dreams and arise again tomorrow to thank you once more.
Amen.”
Prayer #3
“Dear Father in Heaven, Here, safe in my home, I drink in your peace. Help me to sift through the many experiences, feelings and thoughts I have encountered today. I allow myself to rest, to wind down and to sleep. Help me to surrender all I am to you, my fatigue, my concerns, my hopes and fears.
As I drift into sleeping I choose to hold your hand. I choose to live with you. I choose to believe, I choose to trust, I choose you always. Amen.”
Prayer #4
“O Lord our God, King of the Universe.
Let the wings of sleep fall upon my eyes,
and upon my eyelids.
O Blessed One,
Let me lie down in peace,
and rise in peace.
Into Your hand I entrust my spirit.”
Prayer #5
“Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray to God my soul to take.
If I should live for other days,
I pray the Lord to guide my ways.
Father, unto thee I pray,
Thou hast guarded me all day;
Safe I am while in thy sight,
Safely let me sleep tonight.
Bless my friends, the whole world bless;
Help me to learn helpfulness;
Keep me every in thy sight;
So to all I say good night.”
Prayer #6
“The day is done;
O God the Son,
Look down upon
Thy little one!
O Light of Light,
Keep me this night,
And shed round me
Thy presence bright.
I need not fear
If Thou art near;
Thou art my Savior
Kind and dear.”
Prayer #7
“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.”
Prayer #8
“Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me:
Bless Thy little child to-night;
Through the darkness be Thou near me,
Keep me safe till morning light.
All this day Thy hand has led me,
And I thank Thee for Thy care;
Thou hast warmed me, clothed me, fed me;
Listen to my evening prayer.
May my sins be all forgiven;
Bless the friends I love so well;
Take me, Lord, at last to heaven.
Happy there with Thee to dwell.”
Prayer #9
“Lord,
You bless us as we rest,
Restore us as we sleep,
You care for us as we drift off,
And make our dreaming sweet,
You are the safest place,
You are the God of Grace,
Forgiven, loved and held by you,
Is each small seed of faith,
You know our thoughts and feelings,
You see our deep desires,
You understand our weariness,
And catch each tear we cry,
You walk beside us every day,
You are a constant friend,
You stay with us all through the night,
On you we can depend.”
Prayer #10
“Dear God,
The day was long and trying. I am grateful for its end. As I lay here waiting for sleep to overtake me, I count the blessings in the day that has passed. Work was hard, I’m blessed to have a job. My kids were frustrating, I’m blessed to have them. My body aches, I’m blessed to have medication. The list goes on, but #1 is, even when I struggle, I am blessed to have faith. Thank You Lord for giving me a daily opportunity to rest and refresh.
Amen”
Prayer #11
“Dear God,
The day was long and trying. I am grateful for its end. As I lay here waiting for sleep to overtake me, I count the blessings in the day that has passed. Work was hard, I’m blessed to have a job. My kids were frustrating, I’m blessed to have them. My body aches, I’m blessed to have medication. The list goes on, but #1 is, even when I struggle, I am blessed to have faith. Thank You Lord for giving me a daily opportunity to rest and refresh.
Amen”
Prayer #12
“Dear God,
Dispel my fear. End my anxiety, wipe worry from my mind. May I know the power of Your love and the wisdom of Your word. Grant me a peaceful sleep tonight and bring me back tomorrow to a place of safety, security, and right-minded thinking.
Amen”
Here is a look at some great bedtime prayers for Christian meditation followed by some uplifting relaxation music to help you release your burdens to God for a nice restful sleep.
connectusfund.org
Before bedtime, some couples may look to saying a prayer together that send their request to God for a long standing marriage that will last for years to come. Thanking Him for the goodness in our lives is just one way to rekindle romance and love. Here is a look at some great bedtime prayers for couples.
Prayer #1
O Lord,
You are Lord over all creation.
Everyday we are surrounded by the miracle of life.
Your creativity bursts across the skies at sunset, it emerges from spring buds that bloom.
Thank you for the beauty of marriage.
Like three streams that merge into one single river, you are journeying with us.
You are the creative, restoring current that runs through our relationship.
May we stand strong in our friendship like a tall oak tree.
May we pull together through the different seasons of our lives so that we become closer.
May we ride out the storms and rest in the fair weather.
May we care for one another, so that we blossom and bloom as individuals.
May we have your vision as we soar above the everyday to glimpse the kingdom of heaven.
May we learn the truth of real beauty as we change and age together.
And may we reflect your love, hope, and truth that you have poured into our union.
Thank you that through your strength and grace we are able to love, care and provide for our loved ones and the wider world.
Amen.
Prayer #2
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this life, for the gift of love, and the blessing of our marriage. We give you praise for the joy you’ve poured into our hearts through this love, for the contentment of family, and the happiness of our home. May we always treasure the experience of loving each other in this holy union.
Help us to remain forever committed to our vows, those we made to each other, and to you, Lord.
We will need your strength daily Lord, as we live together with the goal of following and serving you. Develop within is us the character of your Son, Jesus, that we might love each other with the love he demonstrated—with patience, respect, understanding, honesty, forgiveness and kindness.
Let us always be a support to one another—a friend to listen and encourage, a refuge from the storm, and most importantly, a warrior in prayer.
Holy Spirit, guide us through the difficult moments of life and comfort us in our grief. May our lives together bring glory to you, our Savior, and testify of your love.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
Prayer #3
Lord Jesus,
Grant that I and my spouse may have a true and understanding love for each other. Grant that we may both be filled with faith and trust.
Give us the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony.
May we always bear with one another’s weaknesses and grow from each other’s strengths.
Help us to forgive one another’s failings and grant us patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of self.
May the love that brought us together grow and mature with each passing year. Bring us both ever closer to You through our love for each other.
Let our love grow to perfection.
Amen.
Prayer #4
O Lord, Holy Father, omnipotent and eternal God, we give you thanks and we bless your holy name.
You created man and woman in your image and blessed their union, so that each would be for the other a help and support.
Remember us today.
Protect us and grant that our love may be in the image of the devotion and love of Christ for his Church.
Grant us a long and fruitful life together, in joy and in peace, so that, through your Son and in the Holy Spirit, our hearts may always rise to you in praise and goods works.
Amen.
Prayer #5
Heavenly Father, I thank you for my husband. I thank you for all that he does on a daily basis to keep our family stable. I pray that you would continue to grace him to do all that you have purposed for him to do, and that your will for his life would be made clear.
I pray that you would grant him wisdom and knowledge so that he can make Godly decisions in our home, and at his work place. I pray that he would find favor wherever he goes, and that he would be a blessing to everyone he meets. Help him to be a Godly husband to me, and a Godly father to our children.
Let him be a man of influence for you. Let others look upon him and see the hope of your glory. Enable him to see himself as you see him, he is more than a conquer, and he can do all things through your strength. Father, silence all other voices in his mind, and his social circle that would tear him down and give him confidence and boldness in you Lord.
Help him to come to know you more and more every day, and to seek your face and not the approval of man. Teach him to hear and follow your voice, in Jesus name, Amen.
Prayer #6
Heavenly Father, I pray on today that you would help me to be a better wife to my husband. Teach me your ways oh Lord so that I may know them, and so that you would be pleased with
me.
Help me to show my husband honor as unto you Lord, and encourage him in all that he does. Help me to submit to his authority and not rebel.
For to rebel against him, is to rebel against you. Give me discernment Lord to know what to say, how to say it, and when not to say anything at all. Fill my mouth with good things so that I can build him up with my words.
Let me be that safe, soft place that he can rest on when the world has beaten him down. Let me be the lifter of his head. I thank you for making me a suitable help meet for him. Thank you for making me a Godly wife, so that you may be glorified. In Jesus name, Amen.
Prayer #7
Father God, I thank you for my wife. I thank you for all that she does on a daily basis to make sure our home runs smoothly. I pray that you would continue to give her grace, and that she would not ever feel overwhelmed.
I pray that she would know her worth and her beauty, show her that she is fearfully and wonderfully made. Let her know that you have a plan to prosper her, and not harm her. Let her know that she does have a future and hope through you.
Reveal to her your perfect plan for her life so that she may do only that which is pleasing to you. Help her to prioritize, and give her the boldness to say no when she needs to. Let her be the Godly woman you are calling her to be, and a Godly mother to our children. Give her strength to stand firm, and press through the hard times in her life.
Help her not to be anxious about anything but to always make her request known to you by prayer. Draw her into a closer relationship with you that she may truly know you as her Father, her source. Speak to her in times of quietness and always direct her path as she places her trust in you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Prayer #8
Father God, help me to be a better husband to my wife. Teach me how to make her my number one priority and demonstrate to her her true value. Let my actions and decisions be trust worthy, and fair. Show me how to listen to her and welcome her counsel in my times of decision making.
Make me aware of any plan, or scheme the enemy has launched against my wife so that I may stand against the adversary by the power of your might. Help me to be a lover of your word so that I may fight the enemy’s attacks with your word!
Teach me not be overbearing where she is concerned, and never demanding. But instead show me how to demonstrate your perfect love to her. Help me to love her as you love the church. In Jesus name, Amen.
Here is a look at a great bedtime prayer to help you relax before resting for the night. This will reassure you that God is looking after you and send you a peaceful rest.
connectusfund.org
BEDTIME PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for this day and everything you sent with it. In the good times and the bad you are my unfailing rock, and I’m so grateful for You. Please forgive me for anything I may have done consciously or unconsciously that offended you or your people. My sole desire is to please you and serve you. As I walk out this life in your presence, help me press into you more deeply and follow you ever more closely until Christ is formed in me.
I also forgive and release anyone who offended me today. I speak blessings over them, their work, their family, and most of all—their walk with you, Lord. Please cleanse my heart of anything that displeases you as I pour out the truth and confess my sins before you.
Your Word says that You give your beloved rest, Lord, and I’m asking you now to minister rest and peaceful sleep to me this night. Holy Spirit please quiet my heart as I submit it to you and help me to quiet my mind. I ask that you would put my body in perfect alignment so that it can prepare for restorative sleep. I ask you Lord to cover, shield, and protect my dreams this night so I only have dreams from you.
Satan, I bind you, in the name of Jesus over my dreams and those of my household. We belong to the Lord Jesus—and I plead the blood of Jesus over us right now. Any spirit not belonging to the Most High God, I command you to leave this property right now, in Jesus’ name. This is a house of prayer, a house of worship, and a house belonging to the children of God.
Holy Spirit and Host of Heaven, I invite you into our midst to be with us and to remove everything that is not of God. Please minister to us and to protect us in all of our ways tonight.
As I rest, Lord, give me ideas, show me your plans, and reveal to my heart anything I need to know. I submit myself as your willing vessel and desire to follow your perfect will. In any area I may be unknowingly rebellious Lord, please deal with my heart and purify me. I am willing to be made willing in all things so that I don’t miss your plans and purposes for my life.
Lord, you are an awesome God and serving you is a treasure. I thank you for providing for me, healing me, redeeming me, and making me your own. You have done great things for me and, regardless of my circumstances, I will choose joy.
In the Almighty Precious Name of Jesus, I pray these things. Amen.
1. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
–Matthew 6:34
2. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.
–Psalm 4:8
3. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
–Proverbs 3:24
4. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.
–Psalm 3:5
5. I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
-Psalm 121:1-4
6. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
–Matthew 11:28-29
7. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
-Psalm 127:2
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