Introduction
The “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” prayer is a traditional children’s bedtime prayer that dates back centuries. It is cherished for its simplicity and profound sense of comfort and trust in God’s protective care.
The Short Prayer: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
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. Amen.
A Longer Prayer: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Father, as I prepare to rest, I lay myself down with a heart full of gratitude for the shelter of Your love. As the Psalmist says, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). And so, with trust as my pillow, I surrender my fears, my hopes, and my dreams into Your caring hands. You are my God, you are my peace.
Should the journey of this life end as I slumber, I hold onto the promise given through Jesus Christ, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). It is in this assurance that I close my eyes, knowing that my soul finds its truest rest in You.
Watch over those I love, and those with no one to pray for them. May Your presence be a comforting whisper in the night, a safeguard for the vulnerable, and a balm for those in distress. Guide us all through the silent hours of this night, that we may awake to a morning filled with Your mercy and a day that sings of Your glory.
And now, as my body seeks rest, let my spirit cling to the peace that transcends all understanding, the peace that is found only in You. For in sleep as in wakefulness, in life as in death, You are God, and I am held in Your everlasting arms. Amen.
There are also many great Bible verses to read before bed that you can pray to God.
Devotional
The nighttime prayer is a practice that not only ends our day but also sanctifies our sleep, turning our last thoughts to God.
As the dusk descends and the hustle of the day dwindles to a tranquil silence, the practice of nighttime prayer becomes a sacred ritual. It is not merely the conclusion of our daily routines but a hallowed moment that consecrates our sleep. In these quiet hours, our last thoughts are gifts we offer to God, a sincere reflection of our hearts as we stand on the threshold of the night’s repose.
“The evening is a time of quiet reflection before a quiet night of rest. It is a time to ponder the smallness of man under the stars, yet the huge significance of man because the Word became flesh.” – From ‘The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions’
As we gaze upon the vast expanse of the night sky, dotted with countless stars, we are reminded of our own smallness in the grandness of creation. It is a humbling acknowledgment of our finite nature and a profound acceptance of our place in the universe. Yet, this humility is not without its counterpart in dignity; for though we are small, we are immeasurably loved. The very heavens that dwarf our earthly presence are the same skies under which the Word became flesh for us.
In the quiet of this evening, consider your place in the universe and in God’s grand story. How does the enormity of creation shape your understanding of God? How does the incarnation of Christ affirm God’s love for you?
As we commit our bodies to the vulnerability of sleep, we also surrender our spirits to the trustworthiness of our Creator. Nighttime prayers become a bridge from our waking thoughts to the subconscious musings of sleep. We sanctify this time by turning it into a spiritual passage, where our last waking acts are not of worry or planning but of communion with God.
Take comfort in knowing that as you drift into sleep, you are cradled in the hands of the Almighty. Let your nighttime prayer be a testament to the peace and assurance that is yours in Christ. May your slumber be steeped in the serenity of this sacred practice, and may you awaken refreshed for the new mercies of tomorrow.
Children’s Prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I know God’s love will always keep.
Angels watch through the night,
Till morning brings its light.
In my pajamas, snug and tight,
I say my prayers at the night.
God’s big hands tuck me in,
Safe till morning light begins. Amen.
Conclusion
The “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” prayer continues to be a nightly ritual for many, a cherished tradition that nurtures trust in God from childhood through the rest of life.
