40 Powerful Night and Bedtime Prayers to Read to the Family
Since many of us have school, jobs, or other commitments to attend to throughout the day, nighttime is the perfect hour to refocus, recenter, and reconnect with God. In the silence of night, one can say their nightly prayers, thanking God for His many blessings throughout the day and the loving protection of friends and family. The night is a time to lay your worries at His feet and pray for a hopeful tomorrow.
While an original prayer is always welcome, sometimes, it’s nice to say a prepared message to ensure you don’t leave anything out. That’s why we compiled 40 nightly prayers from the Bible, Pope Francis, and other religious figures and followers to say tonight and for many nights to come.
Depending on what’s happening in your life and what you may need, we have night prayers for peace, prayers for protection, prayers for anxiety, and more. The habit of saying a daily prayer is a great lesson to pass on to children, so we’ve included classic beginner prayers for kids to say as well.
For more prayer inspiration, make sure to check out our roundups of prayers for strength, prayers for the sick, and healing prayers next. Have a blessed night’s sleep!
A Popular Nighttime Prayer
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, rule and guide. Amen.
— Angele Dei Prayer
A Prayer to Start Anew
Lord, if you will, you can make me clean!
— Pope Francis
RELATED: Short, Powerful Daily Prayers to Ask for Strength and Courage Every Day
A Traditional Prayer for Night
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.
— 18th Century English Prayer
Night Prayer from the Bible
I will lie down and fall asleep in peace because you alone, Lord, let me live in safety.
— Psalm 4:8
A Prayer for Peace
Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 4:6-7
RELATED: Prayers to Give You Peace of Mind When You Need It Most
A Peaceful Prayer for Protection
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.
— Armenian Prayer
A Short Night Prayer
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
A Prayer 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
A Prayer for Trust in God's Plan
Lord, I lay down in my bed full of hope for tomorrow because you alone, O Lord, sustain me. Although life is full of challenges, I choose to believe and trust in you. I surrender all of me to you tonight, and I choose to rest in the warmth of your embrace, knowing that you are an ever-present help in time of need. In Jesus’ name, I believe and pray, Amen.
RELATED: Bible Verses About Hope in Hard Times
A Prayer for Anxious Thoughts
O Lord, I have been anxious the whole day, and to be honest, my heart is still troubled. Lord, I do not want to go to bed feeling this way. Your word says we should not be anxious, but in prayer and supplications, we should make our requests known to you. I place everything that is making me anxious at your feet and choose to rest in your love tonight. Cover me with your arms of love all through the night, and grant me sleep. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
RELATED: Calming Prayers for Anxiety to Help You Sleep Better
A Prayer for Reassurance
As I lay down in sleep to safely wake again only by your grace, keep me in a joyful, lively remembrance that whatever happens, I will someday know my final rising — the resurrection — because Jesus Christ lay down in death for me and rose for my justification. In His name, I pray, Amen.
— Tim Keller
A Prayer for Restorative Sleep
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
A Prayer for Forgiveness
Father, I can barely lift my eyes to you. It's all I can do to cry out for help. Please extend your grace to me this day. Help me to see that you are in this and that you are with me. Help me to remember that you are not surprised or taken off guard by the events of this day. Forgive me for my fears about this day. Forgive me for how I have complained and muttered about how hard this day has been. Forgive me for forgetting that you are with me. Forgive me for forgetting who I am because of what your Son, Jesus Christ, has done. Forgive me for failing to remember the glorious truths and riches I have because of the gospel. Father, hear my prayer. Grant me gospel hope in the midst of this hard day. Help me to cling to your grace, your wisdom, and your strength.
— Christina Fox
RELATED: Relieving Prayers for Forgiveness to Make Peace With Yourself and Others
A Prayer for Gratitude
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
A Bedtime Prayer for Rest
Lord, I long for those moments early in my faith when I felt your closeness, your joy, your energy, and zest for life. I confess that the daily grind has ground down my passion for you. I confess that I allow the cares of the world to choke out the joy of the gospel. Lord, turn my heart toward you again. Fix my eyes on you, fix my heart on you. Help me have a reset in my faith and in my life, starting today. Renew my heart, renew my life for you and your ways. Help me see the daily routines of life as moments to gracefully submit to your will. Thank you for being the Lord of my life every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
— Jennifer Waddle
A Nighttime Blessing
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.
— Unknown
A Nighttime Prayer for Sleep
Dear Father,
I can’t sleep.
I’m tossing and turning.
Again.
I’m so thankful you never grow weary,
And you never sleep.
I’m thankful that you are here with me right now,
Even when my mind won’t stop churning
And my head won’t stop spinning.
Even when I know that worrying gets me nowhere
And my heart needs to rely on you.
I need you — the Good Shepherd —
Because counting sheep just doesn’t work.
Would you comfort my heart as only you can?
Will you rescue me from my own spiral of thoughts?
For I know that when I rest in you,
peace like a river overflows my soul, and
I can praise you in advance for sweet rest.
Amen.
— Rachel Wojo
A Powerful Night Prayer for Protection
Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me. Bless this little lamb tonight. Through the darkness be down near me. Keep me safe till morning light.
— Mary Duncan
RELATED: Powerful Prayers to Protect You and Your Family
For Restoring Your Relationship With God
Dear Father,
I admit that I often forget that you are with me. I often forget what you’re like. Would you please forgive me for that? I need to get to know you better. I need to get to know your word and your promises better. Help me to put you first in every area of my life. Help me to live one day at a time. Help me to not worry about tomorrow, but instead, focus on what you’re doing in my life right now. I want to trust in your promise to take care of every one of my needs — financial, relational, physical, social, spiritual, and emotional. Help me to trust you more and worry less. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
— Rick Warren
A Prayer for Guidance
I thank thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, thy dear Son, that thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please thee. For into thy hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let thy holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.
— Martin Luther
A Prayer for Waking Up Restored
Oh Lord,
Go with each of us to rest; if any awake, temper to them the dark hours of watching; and when the day returns, return to us, our sun and comforter, and call us up with morning faces and with morning hearts, eager to labor, eager to be happy, and if the day be marked for sorrow, strong to endure it.
— Robert Louis Stevenson
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A Prayer for When We Need His Graciousness
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
A Prayer for God's Strength
Almighty God, radiant with light, cast your goodness to shine upon me. Most wonderful Lord, creator of all things, hold your truth to shield me. Majestic King who reigns over all, slay with great love all the shadows around me. Prince of Peace, glorious and true, lift your arms of strength to cover me. All this night through. Amen.
— Unknown
A Prayer for God's Love
Father, you know my worries and care for my troubles. So I give these heavy concerns to you. I lay these situations at your feet. The empty cross is a place of rest, where I can reflect upon your resurrection and the moment when love overcame. Thank you, that your love in me can transform the landscape of my life. I walk with peace into the new day and put my hope in you. Nothing is outside of your redeeming love, might I rest now in the knowledge that you will light my path and guide my life. Amen.
— Unknown
A Prayer for God's Grace
Lord, thank you for your abundant, abounding grace. Thank you that we don't have to earn a drop of the mighty river of grace that flows freely for us today. Thank you for the unexpected, unmerited favor you've showered on my life. Help me put myself in the path of your love and grace. Help me not neglect the disciplines I need to meet with you regularly and to drink from the water of life. Thank you for your rich love. Amen.
— David Mathis
A Prayer for When We Need Help Easing Our Minds
Dear God, as I lay me down to sleep, relax the tension of my body; calm the restlessness of my mind; still the thoughts which worry and perplex me. Help me to rest myself and all my problems in your strong and loving arms. Let your Spirit speak to my mind and heart while I am asleep, so that when I wake up in the morning, I may find, that I have received in the night-time, light for my way; strength for my tasks; peace for my worries; forgiveness for my sins. Grant me sleep tonight and tomorrow power to live.
— Unknown
A Prayer for When We Are in Times of Struggle
God, sometimes, life gets me down, and I find it hard to see things to be thankful for. Open my eyes to see the gifts you’ve given me in my life. I’m going to start by thanking you for loving me enough to come to Earth and die so we can live together forever. Amen.
— Wendy van Eyck
A Night Prayer for Calmness
Holy Spirit, please encircle me, come hold me safe and secure. Wrap my mind up with your truth. Guide my thoughts and calm my fears. Steady my emotions, Lord, that you would guide my feelings, may I not be overcome by upset. Sustain my soul with vision for the future and hope for tomorrow. I need you. Amen.
— Unknown
A Prayer for When We Need God's Light
O Lord, God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know it's going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness, we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.
— Unknown
A Prayer for When You're Overwhelmed
Lord, when my heart is overwhelmed, overwhelm me with your peace. Lead me to you, my rock. Guide me to your word, which gives me strength and refuge. Help me not to run to lesser things. Draw me to run to you first. Help me get into the habit of taking my “overwhelmed” and placing it under your will. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
— Jennifer Rothschild
A Nighttime Prayer for Clarity
Lord, we can’t sleep because we just don’t know what to do. These big decisions are pressing hard. We can’t see all the answers, but we believe that you are leading us. Help us to hear your voice, help us to see your hand guiding us at every turn. Make the way clear before us, and we ask that you would open the right doors and close the ones that aren’t meant for us to walk through. We give it to you again right now and believe that you are helping us and working on our behalf, even as we sleep.
— Debbie McDaniel
A Prayer for When You Need His Blessings
Bless this house and those within. Bless our giving and receiving. Bless our words and conversation. Bless our hands and recreation. Bless our sowing and our growing. Bless our coming and our going. Bless all who enter and depart. Bless this house, your peace impart.
— Unknown
A Prayer for When You're Feeling Grateful
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 cozy 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.
— Unknown
A Prayer for When You Are Fearful
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.
— Unknown
A Prayer for the World
Watch thou, dear Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give thine angels charge over those who sleep. Tend to thy sick ones, Lord Christ. Rest thy weary ones. Bless thy dying ones. Soothe thy suffering ones. Pity thine afflicted ones. Shield thy joyous ones. And all, for thy love's sake. Amen.
— Saint Augustine of Hippo
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A Prayer for Loved Ones
Heavenly Father, please hold these I love as they sleep. Bless them with peace that surpasses understanding, sow in them hope that cannot be put out, grow in them dreams and visions for their future, and protect them with your unconditional love. Amen.
— Unknown
A Prayer for the Hope of Tomorrow
Now, I lay me down to rest, I thank the Lord; my life is blessed. I have my family, and my home, and freedom, should I choose to roam. My days are filled with skies of blue, my nights are filled with sweet dreams, too. I’ve no reason to beg or plead. I have been given all I need. Beneath the subtle moonlit glow, I thank the Lord, so He will know how grateful I am for my life in times of glory and of strife. The times of glory give me hope, the times of strife teach me to cope. Thus, I am much stronger, in turn, yet grounded, still, with much to learn. Now, I lay me down to rest. I thank the Lord; I’ve passed the test of yet another day on earth, grateful for its abundant worth. This day has been a special dream from morning ‘til the last moonbeam. Yet, should the coming dawn bring sorrow, I’ll rise, thankful I’ve reached tomorrow.
— Jill Eisnaugle
A Prayer for Your Child
Heavenly Father, up above, please bless this child that I love. Let her sleep all through the night, and may her dreams be pure delight. When she wakes, be by her side so she can feel your love inside. As she grows, please don't let go so she will know you hold her soul. Amen.
— Kim Lugo
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A Prayer for Those Unrestful Nights
Dear Father in Heaven, here, safe with you, 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 be still. Help me to surrender all I am to you, my fatigue, my concerns, my hopes and fears. As I sleep tonight, 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.
— Julie Palmer
A Prayer for Those Worrying Times
Lord Jesus, please cleanse my thoughts of anger and worry. I know that worry is not your will for me. Please provide for all my needs, as you promise in your word. I give to you all my fears, cares, and troubles, as you have told me to do. Bring peace and comfort to my heart, and help me to rest in you and have peace. Forgive me of any sins I have committed today, and fill my heart with your love.
— Unknown
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