Praying at Night
Similar to why we should pray in the morning, praying at the end of the day is an opportunity to thank the Lord for the blessings He gives and the protection He provided us to live another day. Finishing your day with prayer is a powerful way to let go of anxiety and find peace before falling asleep.
Regardless of what you suffered today, talking to God through a night prayer will revive your faith and assist you to sleep in peace. Evening prayers also help you review all the experiences during your day and the ways that God has been present with you.
5 Night Prayers
Here are some night prayers to end your day in thanksgiving to God and asking Him for peaceful sleep in His protection:
A Biblical 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.
Shepherd, Watch While We Sleep
Beloved Shepherd of our souls and bodies, you never slumber nor sleep. Spread your holy protection over us and cover us with your mighty wings, that no terrors of the night may disturb us, and let your divine majesty watch over our minds while we sleep; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Evening Prayer for Peace
O Lord, let your tranquility dwell among us, and let your peace remain in our hearts. May our voices proclaim your truth, and may your cross be the guardian of our souls. O Lord, make us bold, make us worthy to offer to you pure and holy prayer; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Source: Liturgy of the Nestorians, fifth century
Night-time Blessing Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for your great love and blessing over our lives. Thank you that your favor has no end, but it lasts for our entire lifetime. Forgive us for sometimes forgetting that you are intimately acquainted with all of our ways, that you know what concerns us, and you cover us, as with a shield. We ask for your guidance so that we might walk fully in your blessing and goodness today. We ask that your face would shine on us. That you would open the right doors for our lives and for our loved ones, that you would close the wrong doors and protect us from those we need to walk away from. Establish the work of our hands and bring to fulfillment all that you have given us to do in these days. We pray that you would make our way purposeful and our footsteps firm out of your goodness and love. Give us a heart of wisdom to hear your voice, and make us strong by your huge favor and grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen. ~ Debbie McDaniel
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. Amen. ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan
5 Evening Prayers
These prayers can be used in the evening to thank God for another day of life and the blessings He gives:
Evening Prayer for Peace
O Lord God, grant your peace to us, for you have supplied us with all things — the peace of rest, the peace of the Sabbath which has no evening; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Source: Augustine of Hippo
Keep Us in Peace
O Lord our God, keep us in peace during this night and at all times. Keep our hearts and thoughts secure in holy reverence for you, so that we may be protected at all times
from the snares of the enemy. And let us offer blessing and glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Source: Armenian Prayer
Evening Prayer For True Rest
Dear Lord, break me of the need to be busy pursuing a sense of self-worth. Make me secure in who You are and who You’ve made me to be, and as a result, teach me what it means to truly rest. Help me catch my breath. In Jesus’ Name, Amen ~ Max Lucado
Rest for Those Who Obey Your Word
Lord, you alone are God, the gracious and merciful. You command those who love your name to cast away all fear and care, and to lay their burdens on you. Keep us under your protection, and give us now and always that everlasting rest, which you have promised to those who obey your word; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Source: Primer of 1555, in Daily Prayer.
5 Bedtime Prayers
Use these bedtime prayers before you go to sleep, asking God for His shelter as we rest and guidance for the next day:
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Short Bedtime Prayers
Dear Jesus, grant me rest tonight. Amen.
Heavenly Father, please let me let tomorrow worry about itself. Allow me to rest now. Amen.
God, I give today's anxieties to you. I sleep now and await a beautiful tomorrow, if it is within your will. Amen.
Jesus, thank you for today. Please keep me and my family safe and healthy, tonight and tomorrow. Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to rest, knowing that I am in the hold of your eternal arms. Amen.
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.
Sleeping Prayer
I am placing my soul and my body in your sanctuary this night, O God, in your sanctuary, O Jesus Christ, in your sanctuary, O Spirit of perfect truth, the Three who would defend my cause, nor turn their backs on me. Father, who is kind and just, Son, who overcame death, Holy Spirit of power, keep me this night from harm, the Three who would justify me, keep me this night and always. Source: Carmina Gadelica, Hymns, and Incantations…
For A Good Night's Sleep
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
Heavenly Father, who gives rest to His children – will You wash over me a peace that passes all understanding as I lay down to sleep tonight? I ask that You would ease the load of the burdens I am carrying. My desire is to be an effective mother, wife, and friend and I know my attitude, energy level, and spiritual life will not be sufficient to do this if I don’t have the deep spiritual rest You long to give me. Be merciful, O Lord, and give sweet sleep to Your child. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Lysa TerKeurst
Bible Verses about Sleep and Rest
Scriptures to comfort you for a peaceful rest.
Exodus 33:14 - And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Mark 6:31 - And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Psalm 127:2 - 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 4:8 - In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 37:7 - Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Psalm 46:10 - “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 30:15 - For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,
Genesis 2:2-3 - And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
Hebrews 4:9-10 - So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
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This article is part of our prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family Protection
Prayers for Surgery
Night Prayers for Bedtime
Types of Prayer in the Bible
What Is Intercessory Prayer?
The Most Powerful Prayers in the Bible
Dinner Prayers to Bless Your Food
Prayers for Patience and Understanding
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