Night time prayers

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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Night Prayer or Bedtime Prayers

Teaching our kids bedtime prayer is a wonderful tool for leading them into a relationship with Jesus and for initiating a lifestyle of dependence on God. A lot of children have fears of nightmares which can be prevented by always praying to God at night.  This also offers the opportunity to draw near to God and get to know Him more as a loving father who protects and comforts.

Bedtime prayer has the potential to instill in children certain values like prayer, trust, and thankfulness.

There are so many Bedtime Prayers out there and they are usually in the form of a poem so that children would be able to memorize them easily. Here are a couple:

Dear Daddy God in heaven

Thank you for this happy dayForgive me too dear AbbaFor bad things done I pray

Go tuck me now in Your embrace

All night watch over meAnd shower sweet dreams’til tomorrow  when I will rise again to play!

~~~~~~~~~~

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

Amen 

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The official night time prayer of the Church is the Compline which is recited after sunset and before bed. Here is an alternative form of prayer which can be recited before retiring for the night. It is an excellent opportunity for an examination of conscience and to thank God for the blessings we have received during the day.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.

Our Father

Hail MaryGlory Be to the Father

Pray the Apostles Creed.

V. Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful.

R. And kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

R. And Thou shall renew the face of the earth.

Let Us Pray

O God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the Faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant us, we beseech Thee, that by the gift of the same Spirit we may always be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

(Place yourself in the presence of God and give Him thanks for all the benefits which you have received from Him, particularly this day.)

O My God, I firmly believe that thou art here present and dost plainly see me, and that Thou dost observe all my actions, all my thoughts and the most secret motions of my heart. Thou dost watch over me with an incomparable love, every moment bestowing favors and preserving me from evil. Blessed be Thy Holy Name, and may all creatures bless Thy goodness for the benefits which I have ever received from Thee, and particularly this day. May the Saints and Angels supply my defect in rendering Thee due thanks. Never permit me to be so base and wicked as to repay Thy goodness with ingratitude and Thy blessings with offenses and injuries.

(You should here ask of Our Lord Jesus Christ for the grace to discover the sins which you have committed this day and beg of Him a true sorrow for them and sincere repentance.)

O My Lord Jesus Christ, Judge of the living and the dead, before Whom I must appear one day to give an exact account of my whole life, enlighten me, I implore Thee, and give me a humble and contrite heart, that i may see wherein I have offended Thine infinite Majesty, and judge myself now with such a just severity, that then Thou mayest judge me with mercy and clemency.

(You should endeavor, as far as possible, to put yourself in the disposition in which you desire to be found at the hour of death.)

O My God, I accept death as a homage and an adoration which I owe to thy divine Majesty and as a punishment justly due to my sins, in union with the death of my Dear Redeemer and as the only means of coming to Thee, my beginning and Last End.

I firmly believe all the sacred truths which the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church believes and teaches, because Thou hast revealed them. And by the assistance of Thy holy grace, I am resolved to live and die in communion with this, Thy Church.

Relying upon Thy goodness, power and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins and life everlasting, through the merits of Thy Son Jesus Christ, my only Redeemer, and by the intercession of His Blessed Mother and all the Saints.

I love Thee with all my heart and soul, and I desire to love Thee as the blessed do in Heaven. I adore all the designs of Thy Divine Providence, resigning myself entirely to Thy Holy Will. I also love my neighbor for Thy sake, as I love myself.

I sincerely forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. I renounce the devil, and all his works: the world, and all its pomps; the flesh, and all its temptations.

I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ.

Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give thee my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with thee. Amen. Lord Jesus, receive my soul.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and all the Saints pray for us to Our Lord, that we may be preserved this night from all sin and all evils. Amen.

O Blessed St. Michael, defend us in the day of battle, that we may not be lost at the dreadful Judgement. Amen.

O Angel of God, who art appointed by divine mercy to be my guardian, enlighten and protect, direct and govern me this night. Amen.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to life everlasting. Amen.

May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution and remission of all our sins. Amen.

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Tahajjud prayer (prayer performed by becoming awake after sleep at night) and other prayers offered at night-time

Every time has a specific feature in Allah’s sight. However, certain times are more valuable than others, and they are to be taken advantage of. And night-time is one of these times that the Qur’an and the sayings of the Prophet (pbuh) describe as valuable.

The value that Allah ascribes to night-time and the secrets hidden in it are countless. Allah says: “

The night and its homing

!” (Inshiqaq, 84:17). “

And by the night when it is still

!..” (Dhuha, 93:2). The secret of the swearing of Allah by the night is a Divine window to get our hearts and souls to watch many facts.

The night is the time to prostrate before the Divine Being with love and affection for the sake of pleasing Him instead of lying down in smooth beds. Therefore, extra prayers performed at night are of great importance in achieving immediacy with Allah. Thus, one desires and performs prayers at night as much Divine Love as s/he has. It may be said that praying at night is like meeting and conversing with one’s lover at night. Being awake at a time when everybody is asleep means being included in the group of love and mercy.

How to Perform the Tahajjud Prayer (The Night Prayer)

The Prophet (pbuh) used to pray at night until he was footsore. He was once asked:

“– O the Messenger of Allah! Why do you strain yourself though Allah declared in the Qur’an (in chapter 48) that you were forgiven of all your sins?”

He replied:

“– Should not I be a thanking servant?” (Bukhari, Tahajjud, 6).

The Prophet (pbuh) also said:

“The most virtuous prayer except the obligatory prayers is the one offered by becoming awake after sleep at night.” (Muslim, Siyam, 202-203).

“Two units of prayer performed at night is more beneficial than anything in the world. If I thought that it would not be a burden on my people I would enjoin it on them.” (Fadail al-Amal, 257).

“There is a certain moment at night. If a Muslim catches that moment to wish something from Allah, that thing is granted to him/her.” (Tirmizi, Vitr, 16).

“If a man wakes up at night and also wakes his wife up to offer two units of prayer together, Allah registers their names among those who remember Allah most.” (Abu Dawud, Tatawwu, 18).

“Do not you ever disregard praying at night! Because it was a custom of righteous people before you. Worshipping at night brings one closer to Allah, atones for one’s sins, keeps the body from illnesses, and prevents one from performing sinful acts.” (Tirmizi).

“Let Allah show mercy to the man who wakes up at night to pray, and also wakes his wife up to do so. Let Allah show mercy to the woman who wakes up at night to pray, and also wakes her husband up to do so!” (Abu Dawud, Vitr, 13).

The Prophet (pbuh) told Abu Zarr:

“– Do you get prepared when you are about to set forth on a journey?”

Abu Zarr replied:

“– Of course, o Prophet”

The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“– Well, how do you think that the journey on the Day of Judgment will be? Take heed of what I will tell you; shall I tell you what you would benefit from on the Day of Judgment?”

Abu Zarr replied:

“– Yes, o Messenger of Allah!”

The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“Fast on a very hot day for the Day of Judgment. Offer a prayer of two units at night to be saved from loneliness in the grave. Make the journey to Qabah once in a lifetime, and give alms to a needy person for the great occasions of the Doomsday. Say just words or save your tongue from saying unjust things!”

(ibn Abi’d-Dunya, Kitab al-Tahajjud).

The Prophet (pbuh) said to Abu Hurayra in this regard:

“O Abu Hurayra! If you want the company of the Mercy of Allah when in the grave and on the Doomsday, wake up at night to offer a prayer for Allah’s sake. O Abu Hurayra! If you pray at the corner of your house, your house lightens as a constellation in the sky, and it becomes like a star for the people of the world.” (Ihya al-Ulumiddin, I, 1023).

Abdallah bin Omar, for interpretation, let the Prophet (pbuh) know one of his dreams through Hafsa, who was the sister of Abdullah and the wife of the Prophet (pbuh). The Prophet (pbuh) said while interpreting the dream:

“Abdallah is a great person. Yet, it would be superb if he prayed at night!..”

From that day on, Abdallah never abandoned praying at night. (Bukhari, Tahajjud, IV, 360).

The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“The Archangel Gabriel said: “The honor of a believer is, no doubt, related to night-time prayer…'” (Hakim, Mustadrak, IV, 360).

One of the servants whom Allah is pleased with is one who gets out of his/her gentle and warm bed in order to offer the prayer of tahajjud. Allah is well-pleased with that servant and says to the angels:

“– What makes this servant of Mine care about praying at this time of the night?”

The angels reply:

“– It is his/her wish to attain Your Grace and Blessing, and also fear of Your punishment.”

Allah says:

“I grant him/her what s/he wishes from Me then. And I safeguard him/her from what s/he fears from.” (Fadail al-Amal, 299).

Many verses of the Qur’an call the servants to remember Allah at night-time.

And during part of the night, -Aleyhisselâm-, celebrate His praises, and (so likewise) after the postures of adoration.” (Qaf, 50: 40).

“And for the part of the night also praise Him, and at the retreats of the stars.” (Tur 52:49).

“Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord prostrate and standing.” (Furqan 25:64).

Allah explains the features of those who will be saved from the Divine punishment and be placed in paradise:

“They were in the habit of sleeping but little by night. And in the hours of early dawn, they (were found) praying for forgiveness.” (Zariyat, 51:17-18).

In addition to this honoring, Allah cites those believers who remember Him at night-time as superior when comparing believers with disbelievers:

“What! he who is obedient during hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, takes care of the hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord! Say: Are those who know and those who do not know alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful.” (Zumar, 39:9).

As Allah describes those who devoutly worship at night as such, He forewarns those unwary servants who do not behave accordingly:

“And part of the night, prostrate yourself to Him; and glorify Him a long night through.”

“As to these they love the fleeting life, and put away behind them a Day (that will be) hard.” (Insan, 76:26-27).

The second part of the night is said to be more valuable. The Prophet (pbuh) was once asked about it:

“– In which part of the night are the worships more likely to be accepted?”

He replied:

“The worships that are done in the second half of the night…” (Abu Dawud).

However, as it is not too easy to worship at night, one is supposed to observe some points. In addition to the strong desire to worship at night, one is supposed to have a light dinner and keep early nights. It is narrated that:

“The Prophet (pbuh) used to discourage people to sleep before the late-night prayer, and he also used to discourage them to have long conversations after it.” (Bukhari, Mawaqit al-Salat, 23).

A Muslim should be in the habit of keeping early hours, and waking up early. There may be exceptions to that on condition that they should not hamper one’s activity to worship at night. Omar, the second caliph, says:

“The Prophet (pbuh), sometimes, used to speak with Abu Bakr about the affairs of Muslims until daybreak. And I used to stay with them.” (Tirmizi).

These principles are necessary to remove the strain of waking up for prayer and also to untie the knots of Satan tied through sleep. The Prophet (pbuh) says:

“When you sleep Satan ties three knots on the back of your neck. And he says to each knot let a long night stay with you.’ When you wake up and cite the name of Allah one of the knots unties. When you make ablution another knot unties. And when you offer a prayer all of the knots untie. Thus, you wake up hale and hearty in the morning. Otherwise, you wake up asleep and downhearted.” (Bukhari, Tahajjud, 12).

So, it is clear that the prayer offered at night is so valuable that it comes second only after the obligatory prayers.

However, those who do prayers at night are to be reminded that they should not be proud just because they do worship at night. If so, they lose the blessing they would get.

They should always bear the following saying of the Prophet (pbuh) in mind:

“There are many who worship at night, yet they get nothing out of it. They just stay awake.” (Ahmad bin Hanbal, Musnad, II, 373).

When to perform Tahajjud prayer

I write in sequence.

1. Salatul Isha 2. A little sleep and wake up 3. Tahajjud 4. Witr 5. Salatul Fajr

How to perform salat al Tahajjud (The Night Prayer)

How to Offer Salat al Tahajjud (The Night Prayer)

• First make the Niyyah (intention) by reciting “I intend to perform two rakats of the salat al Tahajjud”
• You say takbir “Allahu Akbar” This starts the prayer.
• Begin reciting “Subhanaka”
• After you say: “Audhu billahi min-ash-shayta -nir-rajeem Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-raheem”
• Reciting Surah Al Fatiha
• Another portion (Surah) of the Qur’an.
• Go into Ruku (the bowing position) and We say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Azeem”
• Go into the 1st Sajdah and We say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”
• Now sit-up from the first Sajdah in jalsa position (Sitting position between the two Sajdahs)
• Now go into the 2nd Sajdah and We say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”

• Rise up to proceed to the next raka’at,
• You say “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-raheem”
• Reciting Surah Al Fatiha
• Another portion (Surah) of the Qur’an.
• Go into Ruku (the bowing position) and We say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Azeem”
• Go into the 1st Sajdah and We say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”
• Now sit-up from the first Sajdah in jalsa position (Sitting position between the two Sajdahs)
• Now go into the 2nd Sajdah and We say “Subahaana Rabbiyal Aa’la”
• After this, you sit for the complete Tashshahud: You recite At-tahiyyat, Allah-umma salli, Allah-umma Barik and Rabbana.
• By turning to your face to the right first and saying “Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah” and then to his left and doing the same

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