How To Pray Before Bed
Prayer before bed is more than just a habit; it's a time to connect with God, think, and feel at peace. You can let go of the day's worries, show thanks, ask for help, and get your heart ready for rest. Prayer can bring comfort and healing, whether you follow a set prayer or just talk out loud.
Here’s how to pray before bed in a way that feels meaningful and fulfilling:
1. Find a Quiet Space
Pick a quiet place where you can be by yourself and think. It could be your room, a comfy chair, or even on your knees by the bed. To make a relaxing environment, turn down the lights or light a candle.
2. Take a Moment to Breathe and Center Yourself
Take a moment to breathe deeply before you pray. Stay present; don't fret over the past or the future. Calm down and give those racing thoughts some space if they're rehashing the events of the day. Take this opportunity to strengthen your spiritual connection.
3. Show Appreciation
Start by giving thanks. Think about the good things that happened today, even if they were small. You might have had a good talk, a peaceful moment, or done something important. Being thankful changes the way you see things and makes you happy.
4. Reflect on the Day
Take the time to think about the day that just ended. How did you act, what did you feel? Did you show kindness, or were you perhaps angry and impatient? This isn’t a time to judge yourself. It’s about knowing what you did and who you are, and being able to improve and learn.
5. Release Worries and Ask for Guidance
Keeping things bottled up can only make things worse in the long run. Prayer gives us an outlet for our worries and anxieties and presents an opportunity to seek peace, wisdom, and strength.
6. Pray for Others
Praying isn’t just about yourself. You can pray for your friends, your family, or other people you feel might need it. Pray for the comfort or healing of those around you.
7. Close with Trust and Peace
Praying isn’t just about asking. While you can present your anxieties and needs, it’s also important to express your faith and surrender to Him. Trust that He is listening and that the new day that will come will be by His side.
8. Read a Verse or Reflect on a Thought
If you find comfort in scripture, a meaningful quote, or a personal mantra, take a moment to reflect on it. Let it be the last thought you carry into sleep.
9. Lie Down with a Peaceful Heart
After your prayer, allow yourself to fully relax. Let go of tension, breathe deeply, and rest in the comfort that you are cared for.
By making bedtime prayer a habit, you invite peace into your nights and clarity into your days. Whether your prayer is long or short, spoken or silent, what matters most is that it comes from the heart.
8 Prayers to Say Before Bed
Sometimes, we find it harder to simply speak from the heart. It’s okay to use existing prayers, there is no right or wrong when it comes to speaking to God as long as you do it honestly. Here are eight prayers for different purposes that you can use and adjust to your situation.
Short Prayer Before Sleep
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.
– Author Unknown (Source: Xavier University)
Bedtime Prayer for Adults
Dear Lord, as I lay down to sleep, I come before You seeking Your peace. I ask that You calm my thoughts and bring comfort to my soul. Let go of the stresses from today and help me surrender them to You. I trust that You will keep me safe through the night and renew my strength for tomorrow. May I experience Your peace that surpasses all understanding, and may Your presence be with me as I sleep.
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8
Thank You for Your constant care and for always being with me. I rest in Your love, knowing that You are protecting me. Fill my heart with Your peace tonight, and may I awake in the morning refreshed, ready to follow Your path.
(Source: Prayer Score)
Bedtime Prayer for Protection
Dear God, as I lay down to sleep, I ask for Your protection through the night. Surround me with Your love and keep me safe from harm. Let no fear or worry trouble my heart, for I trust in Your care. Cover my home with peace, and watch over my loved ones near and far. Fill my heart with rest and my mind with calmness, knowing that You are always with me. Thank You for Your love, guidance, and the gift of another day. Amen.
Bedtime Prayer for Kids
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
Prayer for Sleep and Anxiety
Dear God, my heart is restless, and my mind is filled with worries. As I lay down to sleep, I ask for Your peace to cover me like a blanket. Calm my anxious thoughts, quiet my fears, and help me release the burdens of the day. Remind me that I am not alone and that I don’t have to carry everything on my own.
Fill my heart with trust, my mind with stillness, and my body with rest. Let Your presence bring me comfort, and let Your love be the lullaby that soothes my soul. I surrender my worries to You, knowing that tomorrow is in Your hands.
Thank You for Your protection, Your guidance, and Your unending love. I rest in You tonight. Amen.
Night Prayer for the Protection of Family
Good Night, Lord, thank you for the hours that have past, you’ve been with us. Tonight, give us your light and your peace, light that shines around us and peace to remove anxiety and the whole burden of our inner life. Lord, as a family, bless us, please, cover us with your protection, that nothing disturbs in this night, that we have a peaceful sleep, secure and without fear, because we are committed to have you by our side. God, you are the refuge of this family, you are our helper and the one who fills us with love, we slept in the silence of the night protected by you.
– Mery Bracho (Source: Lay Cistercians of South Florida)
Good Night Prayer for a Friend
Dear God, as my friend lays down to rest, I ask for Your presence to surround them. Fill their heart with peace, their mind with calmness, and their body with rest. Take away any worries or stress from the day and replace them with comfort and reassurance. Bless them with refreshing sleep and new strength for tomorrow. Watch over them and their loved ones, and let them wake up feeling renewed and joyful. Thank You for their friendship and the blessing they are in my life. Amen.
Bedtime Prayer for Couples
Dear God, thank You for the love we share and for bringing us together. As we end this day, we ask for Your presence to fill our home and our hearts. Help us to grow in love, patience, and understanding toward one another. Keep us strong through every challenge and remind us to always choose kindness and grace.
Tonight, we rest in Your protection. Guard our hearts, our minds, and our relationship. May we wake up refreshed, ready to face a new day together, with love, faith, and gratitude. Amen.
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Bible Verses to Read Before Bed
- Psalm 4:8 – "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."
- Matthew 11:28 – "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
- Philippians 4:6-7 – "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- Proverbs 3:24 – "When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."
- Isaiah 26:3 – "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to pray before bed and you have a few prayers you can try, you’re ready to open your communication with God at the end of every day. This won’t just help you and your loved ones sleep better, but it will give you a chance to reflect on the Bible, on your days, and to find things to be grateful for. Praying can open your eyes to the true beauty of life and strengthen your relationship with Him.
