40 Short, Powerful Night Prayers for Protection and Peace at Bedtime
Read an evening prayer with the family to ask for strength and a good night's rest.
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.
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
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
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
Kate Franke (she/her) is an editorial assistant in the Hearst Lifestyle Group, covering for Woman's Day and Good Housekeeping. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!
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