Holy Bible: Faith VerseNight prayer: 7 short prayers to end your day with God
By Sophie · October 23, 2026 · 4 min read
The end of the day is a natural time to stop and look back. A short prayer before bed lets you thank God for what went well, let go of what went wrong and lie down in peace.
Below are seven night prayers you can pray as written or in your own words, each paired with a verse to fall asleep with.
Why pray at night
The Psalms speak of God in the night as often as in the morning. One psalm holds both together:
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,”
Jesus Himself sometimes spent whole nights in prayer:
“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”
A night prayer does not need to be long. A few honest sentences before sleep are enough to close the day with God.
1. A night prayer of thanks
Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for every good moment, for the people I spent it with and for Your care in the things I did not notice. I end this day grateful. Amen.
2. A bedtime prayer for peace
Father, the day is done. I set down everything I carried and rest in You. Quiet my thoughts, slow my heart and give me the sleep of someone who trusts You. Amen.
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
3. A night prayer for forgiveness
Lord, I did not always act as You would want today. Forgive my harsh words, the wrong I did and the good I left undone. Help me forgive anyone who hurt me, so I do not carry it into tomorrow. Amen.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4. A prayer for protection through the night
God, You never sleep. Watch over my home and everyone in it tonight. Keep us from harm, and let us wake up safe and rested in the morning. Amen.
“He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”
5. A night prayer for my family
Lord, I bring You the people I love, near and far. Bless them tonight. Give rest to the tired, comfort to the hurting and peace to the worried. Hold us all in Your hand. Amen.
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
6. A bedtime prayer for children
A short prayer a child can learn and say with you:
Dear God, thank You for today. Thank You for my family and my friends. Please keep me safe tonight and help me sleep well. I love You. Amen.
“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”
7. A prayer when you cannot sleep
Lord, it is late and my mind will not rest. I give You the thoughts that keep me awake. What I cannot solve tonight, I leave with You. Let me rest in the knowledge that You hold tomorrow. Amen.
“I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.”
How to make night prayer a habit
- Pray before the screen. Make prayer the last thing you do in bed, after you put the phone away.
- Look back in three steps. Thank God for one good thing, ask forgiveness for one wrong thing and hand Him one worry.
- Keep it short. One minute every night builds more than a long prayer now and then.
- Pray together. A night prayer with your spouse or children takes two minutes and becomes a family habit.
To start the next day well, read our morning prayers, or explore Bible verses about peace.
Holy Bible offers a prayer for every day and can read it aloud, so you can listen with the lights off.
Questions
What is a good short prayer before bed?
A good bedtime prayer thanks God for the day, asks forgiveness and places the night in His care, like the prayers above. Psalm 4:8 is a one-line prayer you can say as you lie down.
What does the Bible say about praying at night?
Psalm 92:1-2 speaks of declaring God's faithfulness every night, Psalm 63:6 of meditating on God in the night watches, and Luke 6:12 tells how Jesus prayed all night.
How can I teach my child a bedtime prayer?
Pray a short, simple prayer with them each night, such as the children's prayer above, and let them add their own thanks and requests.
