So many times we can almost feel too tired to pray before sleep, yet just a short prayer can draw us into a good place for rest. As we pray we allow God to "hold" and "keep" things for us - our worries or hopes, our sadness or joys.
There are many things that we process as we sleep. It is known that the body carries out essential repairs, that our minds do the critical work of sorting and processing our experiences, and our emotions can find solace in sleep. Praying is a little like making a bed. Our prayers soften the place to lie and rest, they cover us with warmth and love and hold us when we are alone. This page has several inspiring prayers you can pray for sleep and rest, with a beautiful good night prayer for loved ones, (e.g. family members or close friends), an evening prayer for before bed, and a powerful midnight prayer. We begin with a prayer for peaceful and restful sleep:-
O Lord, I long to find true rest
O Lord, I long to find true rest and so I come to you,
As I lay down I need you near to hold me all night through.
Please help my mind to wind right down and guide my dreams to heal.
O Lord, restore my tired limbs. Help me to find peace here.
As I close my eyes to sleep, come help me to trust in you.
And all the loved ones I hold dear, that you would hold them too.
O Lord, the night time flies so fast, may I be blessed with time.
And sleep that is deep and peaceful, a heavenly dreamtime.
So as I crawl into bed tonight, I rest within your care.
And trust that you'll be beside me, you hear my every prayer.
(a contemporary rhyming night prayer poem from www.prayerscapes.com)
Goodnight 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 can not be put out, grow in them dreams and visions for their future and protect them with your unconditional love.
Amen.
evening prayer
A simple prayer suitable for meditation before sleep at bedtime:-
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prayer in this film
Evening Prayer
(prayer before bed)
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.
(prayer by Julie Palmer copyright © 2018 www.living-prayers.com)
meditation for night prayer
Powerful Midnight Prayer
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.
night time prayer
A prayer for bedtime that reminds us of God's protection and renewing work within us. Featuring images of the sun setting over the sea of Galilee.
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Night Time
(the prayer poem in the film above)
As the darkness draws in, you are the light in my heart
As the air turns colder, you are the warmth in my soul
As the stars are revealed, you renew my spirit
As the moon shines, I know I am held safe in your arms.
(prayer courtesy www.living-prayers.com)
Short Night Prayer Before Going to Sleep
Everlasting Lord,Thank you for all the good gifts you give to us. May I dwell in this goodness as I sleep, and awake tomorrow with love, faith and hope for a new day.
Amen.
related film
psalm 23
a reading of the famous prayer by King David ("The Lord is my Shepherd") followed by a short song meditation.
related prayers
midnight prayer
Featuring three prayers for the midnight hour, with a modern prayer for breakthrough, a short powerful prayer and a contemporary rhyming prayer.
FAQs
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.
What is the powerful prayer before bed? ›
(Guardian Angel prayer) Father, as I lie down for sleep tonight, wash over me with the warmth of Your love. In Your mercy, soothe my pain, whether in my body, mind or soul. Grant me a restful night of sleep so that when I awake, I'm strengthened to do Your will.
What is the Goodnight Family Protection night prayer? ›
Goodnight prayer for family
May You guide and protect them all through their journeys in life. Even the shortest journey will be of peace for You. I pray that the night is peaceful and calm for them. May they never experience any form of stormy gale throughout their lifetime.
What is the beautiful prayer for family and friends? ›
Dear God please keep my family ,friends, and loved ones safe. Please watch over them always, and let good health, happiness, your blessings be upon them . Amen !
What is a powerful good night prayer message for a friend? ›
I pray that you have a peaceful and restful night, filled with dreams of love and happiness. May God's loving embrace be with you as you sleep, protecting and comforting you throughout the night. As the stars twinkle above, may God's light guide and watch over you through the darkness of the night.
What is the powerful verse to read before bed? ›
Psalm 4. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Fall asleep to the comforting promise of Psalm 4, as you name and lay your worries down at God's feet—one by one. Hand your stress over to Jesus tonight, as he instructs us to, and meditate on this good night Bible verse.
What is the Bible verse for the powerful night prayer? ›
In my sleep, lead me beside quiet waters. Keep me from evil, that I may walk in righteousness by Your power and provision. Let no evil enter my mind tonight, and guard me against fearful or anxious thoughts. You are my Shepherd every hour of the day, and in the watches of night.
How do you thank God in prayer? ›
A Simple Prayer of Gratitude
Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life. You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined. You have surrounded me with people who always look out for me. You have given me family and friends who bless me every day with kind words and actions.
What is the evening prayer for peace and comfort? ›
Lord Jesus, as night falls, I surrender my worries and cares into your hands. May your peace fill my soul, and may I find comfort in the assurance of your love. Guide me through the night, and may I wake up with a heart full of gratitude. In your name, I pray.
What is the best prayer for the family? ›
God, Our Father, loving and merciful, bring together and keep all families in perfect unity of love and mutual support. Instill in each member the spirit of understanding and affection for each other. Keep quarrels and bitterness far from them, and for their occasional failures instill forgiveness and peace.
A Night Prayer After a Hard Day (Psalm 31)
Let Him carry your burdens so you can rest and heal. I take refuge in You, Lord. Watch over me as I sleep tonight. I rejoice in Your love, for you see all my troubles and know exactly how I feel.
What is the miracle prayer that never fails? ›
Lord Jesus, I come before you, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works.
What is the powerful prayer for protection? ›
Jesus, my Lord, I place my life in Your hands. You are always faithful to rescue and protect me from evil people who want to harm my loved ones or me. Put us in the right places at the right time to avoid harm. Guard my life, oh Lord, from the works of the evil one.
What is the powerful Goodnight verse? ›
Psalm 4. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Fall asleep to the comforting promise of Psalm 4, as you name and lay your worries down at God's feet—one by one. Hand your stress over to Jesus tonight, as he instructs us to, and meditate on this good night Bible verse.
What is the short Prayer for strength during difficult times for family? ›
Prayer for Strength: "Dear God, grant us the strength to face life's challenges together as a family. Let us lean on one another and find courage and resilience in times of trial."
What is the Bible verse for the powerful night Prayer? ›
In my sleep, lead me beside quiet waters. Keep me from evil, that I may walk in righteousness by Your power and provision. Let no evil enter my mind tonight, and guard me against fearful or anxious thoughts. You are my Shepherd every hour of the day, and in the watches of night.
What is the general Prayer for everyone? ›
May we all be well, happy and peaceful, May no harm come to us, May we all also have patience, courage, understanding, and determination to meet and overcome inevitable difficulties, problems, and failures in life.
