Ending your day with prayer is a powerful way to surrender your worries to God, seek His protection, and rest in His peace. Night prayers allow us to reflect on the day, ask for forgiveness, and entrust ourselves to His care as we sleep.
Here are 10 Catholic night prayers to help you end your day in faith and gratitude.
1. The Nightly Examination of Conscience
Before sleep, reflect on your day and ask God for mercy.
🙏 Prayer:
“Lord, as I lay down to rest, I recall my thoughts, words, and deeds.
Forgive my failings, purify my heart, and grant me a restful night in Your peace.
Help me to do better tomorrow. Amen.”
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Lamentations 3:40
✅ Tip: Take a few minutes to reflect on your day before praying this.
2. The Act of Contrition
A traditional prayer asking for forgiveness before sleep.
🙏 Prayer:
“O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You,
And I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell,
But most of all because they offend You, my God,
Who are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.”
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
1 John 1:9
✅ Tip: If possible, go to Confession regularly to cleanse your soul.
3. Prayer of Surrender to God
Let go of your burdens and rest in God’s hands.
🙏 Prayer:
“Lord, I place my worries, fears, and burdens at Your feet.
I surrender my struggles, trusting that You hold my life in Your hands.
May Your will be done in me, tonight and always. Amen.”
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
✅ Tip: Say this prayer when feeling anxious before bed.
4. Prayer for Protection (Psalm 91)
Call on God’s angels to guard you through the night.
🙏 Prayer:
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways
Psalm 91:11
✅ Tip: Keep a small crucifix or holy medal near your bed as a sign of God’s protection.
5. Prayer to the Guardian Angel
Ask your Guardian Angel to watch over you.
🙏 Prayer:
“Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this night be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.”
Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared
Exodus 23:20
✅ Tip: Teach this prayer to children as their nightly protection prayer.
6. Marian Night Prayer (Sub Tuum Praesidium)
Entrust yourself to Our Lady before sleeping.
🙏 Prayer:
“We fly to thy protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.”
Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Luke 1:28
✅ Tip: Keep a rosary by your bedside as a reminder of Mary’s presence.
7. Prayer for Loved Ones
Ask God’s blessing on family and friends before bed.
🙏 Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, I entrust my family and friends into Your loving care tonight.
Watch over them, keep them safe, and fill their hearts with Your peace.
May we all wake up renewed in Your grace. Amen.”
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you
Numbers 6:24-26
✅ Tip: Say this prayer while thinking of specific people who need God’s grace.
8. St. Augustine’s Night Prayer
A beautiful prayer of rest in God’s love.
🙏 Prayer:
“Watch, O Lord, with those who wake,
or watch, or weep tonight,
and give Your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Christ;
rest Your weary ones;
bless Your dying ones;
soothe Your suffering ones;
shield Your joyous ones;
and all for Your love’s sake. Amen.”
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety
Psalm 4:8
✅ Tip: If you struggle with insomnia, pray this slowly and reflect on God’s presence.
9. Prayer for a Peaceful Passing
Prepare your soul to meet Christ, whenever He calls.
🙏 Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, into Your hands I commend my spirit.
Grant that I may live each day as if it were my last,
So that when my hour comes, I may die in Your grace and love. Amen.”
Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord
Romans 14:8
✅ Tip: Keep a blessed crucifix or St. Joseph medal near you as a reminder of God’s mercy.
10. The Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)
A biblical night prayer of trust in God’s salvation.
🙏 Prayer:
“Lord, now You let Your servant go in peace;
Your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which You have prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal You to the nations and the glory of Your people Israel.”
Simeon’s words when he saw the infant Jesus in the temple
Luke 2:29-32
✅ Tip: Pray this before bed to surrender your life to God’s will.
Final Reflection: Resting in God’s Presence
Night prayers are a beautiful way to end each day in faith, peace, and trust in God. By offering our worries, seeking forgiveness, and calling upon His protection, we prepare our hearts for a peaceful sleep and a renewed spirit.
Which night prayer resonates most with you? Let’s rest in God’s love and grace!
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