Prayer allows you to reflect on your day and express gratitude and appreciation for your life. 

Ending your day with prayer is a wonderful way to let go of stress and find peace before falling asleep while also connecting to God. 

When you take the time to think about all the good things that happened throughout the day instead of the bad, there’s less of a chance you’ll ruminate over the bad while trying to sleep. 

Prayer gives you a chance to focus on what matters most.

Nightly prayers also help you reflect on all the ways that God has been present with you. No matter what you faced today, talking to God through a night prayer will renew your faith and help you experience a night of better sleep. 

There are countless verses in the Bible about prayer. Some of the most popular verses about prayer include: 

“In peace, I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). 

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:14–15).

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you” (Jeremiah 29:12).

Throughout all of these scriptures, there is a constant theme of trust and love for God. Keeping in constant contact with the Lord is one of the benefits of praying at night. 

There are hundreds of different bedtime prayers you can say at night. Here are just a few powerful prayers that cover a variety of topics to help you and your loved ones get a good night’s rest: 

Prayer before bed 

Lord God, many things have happened today. Some good, some bad, some hard, some joyful. Before I go to sleep, I want to entrust all these things to You. Honestly, there are many things I can’t figure out. Many circumstances are confusing. Many situations are just plain hard. Even though I can’t figure out how all these things will work out, I know that You are good, and I know that You will do good for me. Ultimately, I know that I can completely trust You. As I go to sleep, I declare that I trust in You. I may not know how all things will work out, but You do, and because You are good, I proclaim my trust in You. Amen.

Night prayer to God 

Holy Spirit, sleep is a reminder that I am totally and completely dependent upon You. I don’t have infinite strength. I cannot keep working indefinitely. I need sleep to refresh me. As I drift off to sleep, it’s a clear reminder that I am not in control. I need You to sustain me through the night, and I need You to sustain me through my life. Please give me the grace of sleep. Give me the grace of strength. Allow me to wake refreshed in the morning. I depend on You, my good and gracious Father. I trust You to sustain me and to wake me with fresh energy for a new day in the morning. Amen.

Goodnight prayer for a friend

Dear God, as I close my eyes tonight, I'm praying for loved ones around me, for friends, and those who need to know You, Lord. I'm praying that Your love, like the billions of stars in the night sky outside, will touch them and help them see who You really are. I pray for our world and those in it. I pray for their needs as well as my own. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Goodnight prayer for family

Dear Lord, watch over my family as they sleep tonight. 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. Enjoy your night’s rest, dear one. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Nighttime prayer for protection

Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me. Bless this little lamb tonight. Through the darkness, be down near me, keep me safe until the morning light. Amen

Or for the holy angels’ protection:

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, bless the bed that I lie on. Four corners to my bed. Four angels round my head. One to watch and one to pray, and two to bear my soul away. Amen.

Prayers for better sleep

Almighty God, 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. I need You, Good Shepherd, because counting sheep 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 trust in You, peace like a river overflows my soul, and I can praise You in advance for sweet rest. Amen.

Many of us live busy lives, and stress and anxiety can easily consume us during the day. 

But as you wind down for the evening, take time to consider your day and appreciate everything you've achieved. You can remember what's important by pausing and taking a moment to pray and give thanks to the Lord.

Because it is in the Lord that joy can be found. 

For more nighttime meditative prayers, download the pray.com app in the iOS App Store or Google Play.