Night Prayer
A night prayer is a short prayer said at the end of the day to thank God, let go of what happened, ask forgiveness and trust him with the night. A simple one is: "Lord, thank you for today. I give you what went well and what did not. Watch over me as I sleep. Amen."
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 (BSB)
Night is when the day catches up with us, the conversations we replay and the worries we carry to bed. A night prayer is a way of handing all of it back to God before you sleep. These five prayers are short enough to say with the lights off, and the verses below are good companions for the last few minutes of the day.
A short night prayer
Lord, the day is done. Thank you for carrying me through it. I give you the good moments and the ones I wish had gone differently. Where I hurt someone, forgive me. Where someone hurt me, help me let it go. Watch over the people I love tonight, wherever they are sleeping. Quiet my mind, rest my body, and let me wake tomorrow ready to begin again with you. Amen.
A night prayer for a restless mind
Father, my body is tired but my mind will not stop. I keep going over what I said, what I should have done and what tomorrow might bring. I cannot solve any of it tonight, so I am putting it in your hands. You never sleep and you never stop caring for me. Let me rest in that. Slow my breathing, still my thoughts, and give me the sleep you give to those you love. Amen.
A night prayer of thanks
God, before I close my eyes, I want to look back over today and find the gifts in it. Thank you for the moments of laughter, for a kind word, for food on the table and for strength I did not know I had. Thank you for the things that went right without my noticing. Help me fall asleep grateful rather than anxious, and remind me in the morning how faithful you have been. Amen.
A night prayer for forgiveness
Lord, I am not proud of everything I did today. There were words I should not have said, and things I left undone. I bring them to you honestly, without excuses. Thank you that your forgiveness is bigger than my failures. Wash me clean, and give me the humility to make things right tomorrow where I can. Let me sleep tonight not weighed down by guilt, but held by your grace. Amen.
A night prayer for someone you love
Father, tonight I pray for the people I love, especially those who are struggling, far away or hard to reach. Wrap them in your peace. Where they are lonely, be near them. Where they are afraid, comfort them. Where they are sick, give them rest. I cannot be with all of them tonight, but you can. Keep them safe until morning, and draw each of them closer to you. Amen.
Scripture to pray with
He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:3-4 (BSB)
When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night. For You are my help; I will sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.
Psalm 63:6-7 (BSB)
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat - for He gives sleep to His beloved.
Psalm 127:2 (BSB)
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me” - even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You.
Psalm 139:11-12 (BSB)
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24 (BSB)
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (BSB)
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (BSB)
Questions people ask
What should I say in a night prayer?
A night prayer usually includes thanks for the day, honesty about what went wrong, a request for forgiveness, prayer for the people you love and a request for peaceful rest. Many people also look back over the day and notice where God was present. Keep it simple and honest.
What is a good short prayer before sleep?
A good short prayer before sleep is: "Lord, thank you for today. I give you what went well and what did not. Forgive me, watch over the people I love, and give me peaceful rest. Amen." It takes less than a minute and can be prayed lying down.
Is there a Bible verse for going to sleep?
Psalm 4:8 is one of the best-known verses for bedtime. It speaks of lying down and sleeping in peace because God alone keeps us safe. Proverbs 3:24 and Psalm 121:3-4, which describe God as one who never slumbers, are also often read and prayed at night.
Keep reading
A verse for how you feel, every morning
FaithGuide gives you a verse and a prayer for how you feel each morning, and a gentle prayer at bedtime. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is in the public domain.