The apostle Paul was constantly urging believers to pray. He exhorted the Ephesians to “pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.” To the Thessalonians, he said, “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV). Perhaps Paul was thinking of the Jewish practice of blessing God throughout the day, from the moment you wake up until the moment you close your eyes to go to sleep. Here are a few blessings to say at bedtime:
Blessed are thou, Lord our God, Master of the Universe, whose Word brings on the evening. May the living and eternal God rule over us always and forever.
Blessed are Thou, Lord, who brings on the evening.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who created day and night.
You roll away the light from before the darkness, and the darkness from before the light. Blessed are you Lord, who creates the evening twilight.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who makes the bands of sleep fall upon my eyes, and slumber upon my eyelids.
May it be your will, O Lord my God, and the God of my fathers, to let me lie down in peace, and to let me rise up again in peace.
Tonight as you close your eyes, remember that one day you will open them to find that you have passed from death into life, enjoying the gift of God’s forever peace.
(Image courtesy of Skitz27 at freeimages.com)
