How to say a goodnight prayer

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.

Prayer for Healing

Prayer for StrengthPrayer for ProtectionMorning PrayersGood Night PrayersThe Prayer of JabezShort PrayersThe Lord’s PrayerThe Prayer of St FrancisSerenity PrayerA Birthday PrayerSinner’s PrayerPrayer for ForgivenessPrayer for GuidanceIntercessory PrayerIrish Prayers and BlessingsAdvent PrayersChristmas PrayersThanksgiving PrayerHoly Week Prayers for Each DayEaster PrayersMother’s Day PrayerPrayers for My HusbandPrayers for My SonPrayers for My DaughterPrayer Quotes

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Updated on January 20, 2019

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“Goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite!” Wait, what? We say this to kids just before they go to sleep? It might sound cute, that is, until you actually think about it.

Like many of the lullabies and nursery rhymes we grew up with, It’s a really horrible, ugly, nightmare-inducing thing to say to a child, no?

Surely there has be be something a little nicer to say to someone just before they drift off into a world of complete vulnerability. Simply saying “goodnight” is so boring, and even “sweet dreams” is pretty played out these days.

Here, we are going to focus on cute ways to say goodnight; none of that nasty bedbug stuff!

Source Cute Ways to Say Goodnight to Children

• Say a child’s bedtime prayer: If you’re not familiar, one of the more common versions go like this: 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.

• Sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.

• Wish upon a star: Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight. After you say this together, have the child make a wish upon a star and then close their eyes until morning for the wish to “come true.”

• Count sheep: One, two, three, I count the sheep, while I close my eyes and sleep. From time to time, kids will have a hard time falling asleep. This way of saying goodnight leaves them with a self-help method to aid them in drifting off into dreamland.

• Bedtime stories: Break open the child’s favorite storybook and read a story or two, tuck them in, and don’t leave the room without a goodnight kiss!

• Let them know you’re always there: I’ll always be here to tuck you in tight. A hug, a kiss, and say goodnight! And when there comes the morning light, I’ll still be here when you rise and shine!

What’s your favorite bedtime story? More Cute Bedtime Sayings for Kids

• “Nighty Night.”

• “Go to bed, you sleepy head!”

• “Don’t make me get the tickle monster!”

• “Sleep tight!”

• “Sleep snug as a bug in a rug!”

• “Time to ride the rainbow to dreamland!”

• “Goodnight, my little prince/princess!”

• “Don’t forget to say your prayers!”

• “Goodnight, the little love of my life!”

• “Lights out!”

• “See ya’ in the mornin’!”

• “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

• “I’ll be dreaming of you!”

• “Dream of Mama/Papa!”

• “Jesus loves you, and so do I!”

• “Sweet dreams.”

• “It’s bedtime; now get to bed!”

Source Cute Ways to Say Goodnight to Your Significant Other

• Send a text message: Even if you just got off the phone from saying goodnight, send a quick, sweet message to give them one final thing to look at before they go to sleep.

• Hide a love note somewhere: Whether you sneak it into their pocket, under their car seat, or under their pillow (ideal placement), when you say goodnight, let them know where to look for a sweet note!

• Give a good massage: Saying goodnight while making someone feel great physically is such a wonderful way to send someone off to slumberland.

• Who can be the last to say goodnight? We are all familiar with this one and it’s cute once in a while. One of you will eventually cave. Who will it be?

• Pillow fight! Not only is this a fun, cute way for a couple to say goodnight, but you are both certain to get tired out enough to fall asleep, just don’t break anything!

• Goodnight kisses: “Open your arms and close your eyes, and you will get a big surprise!” When they comply, throw yourself into their arms and give them the best goodnight kiss, everk

More Cute Bedtime Sayings for Significant Others

• “Goodnight, sexy!”

• “Always and forever!”

• “You’re the most wonderful husband/wife in the whole world!”

• “I’ll be dreaming of your face!”

• “I’m so lucky to have you Sweetheart!”

• “I love you to the stars and back!”

• “I’ll dream of you tonight and see you tomorrow, my love.”

• “You’re my dream come true!”

• “I can’t imagine myself with anyone else!”

• “If you need me, you know where to find me.”

• “Love you with all my heart.”

• “I’m yours, forever and always.”

• “Goodnight, the love of my life!”

• “Lookin’ good in those pj’s!”

• “I’d be lost without you!”

• “In your arms, is my favorite place in the world!”

• “Dream about me!”

• “You make me so happy!”

• “Can’t wait to wake up next to you!”

• “You’re my best friend.”

• “I hope you know how much I love you!”

Saying Goodnight

Now that you have learned a few cute ways to say goodnight, it’s time to break away from the traditional “goodnight” and try something new.

Whether you establish a routine, or find a simple way to say goodnight, make it special to you and the other person involved; after all, this is a personal and special time.

Think about how big of a privilege it is to be the last person seen by the person going to bed; you are likely setting the mood for the rest of their night!

Saying goodnight in different ways can become a fun game between you and your children or you and your significant other; and who knows? It might even inspire sweet dreams!

wehavekids.com

GOOD NIGHT! Learn many different ways to say GOOD NIGHT for your daily English conversations.

Other Ways to Say “Good Night”

• Nighty Night
• Sweet dreams!
• Sleep well
• Have a good sleep
• Dream about me!
• Go to bed, you sleepy head!
• Sleep tight!
• Time to ride the rainbow to dreamland!
• Don’t forget to say your prayers!
• Goodnight, the little love of my life!
• Night Night.
• Lights out!
• See ya’ in the mornin’!
• I’ll be right here in the morning.
• I’ll be dreaming of you!
• Dream of Mama/Papa!
• Sleep well, my little prince/princess!
• Jesus loves you, and so do I!
• Sleep snug as a bug in a rug!
• Dream of me
• Until tomorrow.
• Always and forever!
• I’ll be dreaming of your face!
• I’m so lucky to have you, Sweetheart!
• I love you to the stars and back!
• I’ll dream of you tonight and see you tomorrow, my love.
• I can’t imagine myself with anyone else!
• If you need me, you know where to find me.
• Goodnight, the love of my life!
• Can’t wait to wake up next to you!

Other Ways of Saying GOODNIGHT | Image

Video Lesson

7esl.com

When it comes to bedtime, reciting your prayers helps to put your faith and trust in the Lord. These goodnight prayers to say before bed are perfect examples to the types of prayers you can say.

Prayer #1

Dear Jesus, it is time for me to go bed.

Please be with me and help me to get to sleep.

Please bless mommy and daddy and all my friends and please bless me too.

Help me to sleep and thank You for my toys and thank You for the fun day that I have had – and thank You for my food.

Thank You for Jesus Who died on the cross and thank You that He rose again from the dead.. and thank You for loving me, even when I do things that are wrong. Amen.

Prayer #2

How good it is to praise You Oh my God and what a great and mighty God You are. You are worthy of all my worship and deserving of all my praise and I thank You for all You have done in my life and for keeping me safe throughout this day.

Be with me Lord as I settle down for the night and thank You that in Christ I can dwell in safety. Thank You Father for the privilege of rest and sleep and I pray that You would surround us all with Your holy presence and protect us from all dangers of the night…

Prayer #3

Dear heavenly Father how we thank and praise You that You have watched over us both today and brought us home once again after our busy days, so that we may we unite together in love.. and join together in prayer and praise – and in joyful thanksgiving for all that You have done for us today..

Thank You Father for all Your goodness and grace to us, and for the wonderful way that You have guided us in our various jobs and duties today. Help us to settle down for the night with worries cast onto You, in the knowledge that Your grace is always sufficient for our need.

Thank You Father for this lovely opportunity to abide in Your love as we rest in each others arms and pray that we would enable us both lie down in peace, to rest in safety and to sleep soundly and securely, knowing that You are our ever present help – our fortress and the rock of our salvation.

And now Lord as we settle down to rest we ask that our sleep would be refreshing and rejuvenating so that we may rise up early in the morning.. ready to do Your bidding. May we grow closer to each other and to You in the days that lie ahead and thank You Lord for bring us together, and enable us to share our lives and our love with each other and with You – this we pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Prayer #4

Thank You Lord for my bed and pillow and the benefits that You provide for us day by day.. You truly are a God who provides for all Your children and a God Who is faithful to all His promises…

Give us all a peaceful night sleep we pray – and Lord, we love You and praise You and thank You for all that You have done for us – and most of all for sending the Lord Jesus Christ to die for us on the cross.. so that we might be forgiven of our sins and receive Your free gift of eternal life.. for which we are eternally grateful.

Into Your hands O Lord we commit our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice of praise to You.. and pray that in Your grace You would wake us up in the morning, ready to praise You for all Your goodness and grace to us and to all men – this we pray in Jesus precious name, Amen.

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 has 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 ever in thy sight, so to all I say good night. Amen.

Prayer #6

Dear Lord Jesus, it is time for us to get to bed and we thank You that You are with us all the time.. and throughout the hours of darkness. Thank You that You never leave us and that You have promised to be with us throughout the night-time.

Give us all a good night rest we pray, and help us not to allow our thoughts to wander aimlessly through our minds so as to keep us awake – but may we settle down securely, knowing that sleep is a precious gift from You – so that we may be ready to do all the things that You have prepared for us to do tomorrow.

Forgive us for the wrong things we have done today and thank You that Your love for us never fails and that Your mercies are new every morning. Thank You that You died on the cross to pay the price us from our sins and save us, so that we can live together with You in heaven..

Thank You that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord – and help us all to rest securely in You.. in the knowledge that we are Your children and You are our gracious God. This we ask in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Prayer #7

Loving Father, thank You Lord, for being with me throughout today and for Your hand of blessing on my life. Thank You for the way that You have led and guided me throughout this day and I pray Your loving grace would rest on all that I have done – may it be to Your praise and glory.

Loving Lord You are my strength and my sufficiency and I pray that as I settle down for the night that You would enable me to drift into a deep and quiet sleep and a peaceful rest. Remove any little tensions that may have built up over the day so that I may wake refreshed in the morning and ready and willing to do Your bidding.

Guard my unconscious thoughts Lord and cover me with Your love. Draw me ever closer into Your loving arms I pray, in Jesus name. Praise Your name for ever and ever… Amen.

Prayer #8

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 #9

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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer #10

Loving heavenly Father as the night is fast approaching I pray that as I climb into bed I may rest my weary soul in You and allow all the business of the day to melt away. Help me Lord to find my rest in You and as I keep my heart abiding in You.

Lord so many things are changing in my life and at times I feel so lonely as those that are nearest and dearest to me have been taken from me to – for one reason or another…. Lord I know that You have promised to be with me every moment of the day and night – but somehow the night time makes me feel more on my own.

Hold me close Lord Jesus and as I face the long night of darkness I pray that I may sleep securely, knowing that You are by my bed every moment of the night. Thank You that moment by moment I am kept in Your love – Amen.

Prayer #11

Jesus, You are good and wise. I will praise You when I rise. Jesus, hear this prayer I send. Bless my family and my friends. Jesus, help my eyes to see all the good You send to me. Jesus, help my ears to hear calls for help from far and near. Jesus, help my feet to go in the way that You will show. Jesus, help my hands to do all things loving, kind and true. Jesus, guard me through tomorrow in all I do and all I say. Amen.

This great video from Rick Warren discusses how to pray and fast to get in connection with the Lord and make a breakthrough.

About the Author of this Blog Post Crystal Ayres has served as our editor-in-chief for the last five years. She is a proud veteran, wife and mother. The goal of ConnectUs is to publish compelling content that addresses some of the biggest issues the world faces. If you would like to reach out to contact Crystal, then go here to

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