At the end of every day, there’s nothing better we can do but to bring all we’ve carried through the day straight to Him. Praying before we go to bed helps us lay down our worries and cares.
Maybe many times, we’re so weary or busy, we forget to even give God thanks for the way He’s been faithfully at work in our lives and in those we love. Or often we may find that it’s hard to fully let go of our burdens, so we carry the worries and stress straight to bed with us. We hold on to the wounds and hurt feelings. We wrestle for sleep but can’t seem to turn off the spinning thoughts of to-do lists, schedules, and what we still need to get done for tomorrow.
God's very presence and the truth of His word are the only things that can bring deep peace to our souls. The peace He gives is the kind of peace the world can't offer, the kind of peace that doesn't make sense even to our own minds. May He remind you right now that you are never alone, that He knows your way, and He has a plan. He’s right there with you, both now and in all your tomorrows too.
Come to Him with your troubles. May God lift all burdens of anxiety from your shoulders. Where you've been filled with doubt, may He replace it with faith. Where you've been filled with racing thoughts, may He replace it with calm.
Whatever's pressing on our minds and hearts tonight, may God give us the strength to lay it down, and fill us with His peace.
We can rest assured, knowing, believing He holds it all in His hands.
Here are 10 prayers you can pray before going to bed:
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1. Release Your Anxieties to Him.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Dear God,
We come before you and we thank you for this day and all that it’s brought our way, the good things and the hard things too. Sometimes after a full day with pressures and stress, our hearts feel heavy with all we’re still carrying. Thank you that within it all, you’ve reminded us again how much you love us and are always with us. We pray that you would help us to leave all our cares and worries with you right now. May your power and rest fill us fresh. May the presence of your Spirit breathe hope deep into our souls, even as we sleep.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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2. Pray God would bring you His perfect peace.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
We thank you, Father God, for your word that reminds us you never sleep or slumber. You are always watching out for us and your great care is constantly covering our home and family. We ask for your mighty power to surround us. We ask for you to take away any fears or anxious thoughts tonight, and that you would bring your perfect peace, the peace that goes far beyond our own understanding, to guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. We lay our burdens before you, every single one, for we know they’re much safer in your hands than our own.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
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3. Pray for the rest and refreshing of your mind.
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Dear Lord,
It’s been a long day. I feel battle-weary, exhausted, and I can’t stop my mind from rehearsing all of today’s circumstances. Would you please help me to rest in you and to stop overthinking every situation. You already know the answers to every problem and difficulty I’m facing, you already know my way, and you have a plan worked through. Thank you for your great Sovereignty and your presence with me. So as I close my eyes tonight, would you please calm my heart, still my racing thoughts, and remind me that you’ve got this thing that concerns me right now. Renew me with your strength as I sleep, fill me with your Spirit’s wisdom and understanding for every decision I will face tomorrow. I choose to place my hope and trust in you, Father God. I believe you will give me all that I need to run this race of life again tomorrow, in your power and grace.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
4. Entrust God with your loved ones.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Father God, we pray for all those we love, our family, our friends, and we ask that you would show each of them your great love and care in amazing ways. We thank you Lord that nothing is too big or small for you to care about. You know all that concerns us, and you remind us that you are fighting for us, even as we sleep, even in ways we may not always see. We love you and we’re so grateful for your promise to always be with us. All these things we bring to you, and thank you that you are at work, and answering even now, as we close our eyes and sleep in your peace.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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5. Pray for God’s provision and direction.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Dear God,
We ask that you would provide for our needs even as we sleep. When money feels tight, and budgets don’t seem to work out on paper, please remind us that you are not limited by what we can see. When we feel like we’re facing dead-ends and road-blocks, would you remind us again that you are far greater than any obstacles we may face. We pray for your huge grace and favor over our lives and our loved ones. We pray that even when we’re unaware, you’d be opening doors, clearing pathways, closing the wrong roads, and setting up our way for tomorrow. We ask you for your blessings to cover us, that you would make every plan you’ve birthed in our hearts to succeed at just the right time. Help us to trust you when the way feels unclear, help us to hear your voice clearly, and to see your ways unfolded before us.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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6. Rest in God’s forgiveness and renewal.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Forgive us God for the times we missed the mark today. Forgive us for the times we tried hard to do things all in our own strength, getting too easily distracted, or forgetting our need for you. Forgive us for letting fear and impatience control us, or for allowing pride and selfishness to dictate our choices. Forgive us for not following your ways, or for being too busy to spend time in your presence. We recognize, once again, how very much we need you, and we want to have a closer walk with you. Please cleanse our hearts and renew our minds in you, as we lay it all to rest, and try again tomorrow. We thank you that you are a God of fresh starts, and your compassions are new every morning.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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7. Ask God to fill your sleep with healing and rest.
“…for he gives to his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:2)
Dear God,
I feel like I’ve been giving to everyone around me all day. The needs often feel so great and the time seems too short to get everything done I need to do. Thank you Lord, for the refreshment of your Spirit, for you alone can fill us again and restore our souls even as we sleep. I ask that when the hours feel too brief, when bedtime is late and the wake-up call is coming early, that you would please multiply the hours of sleep to help us feel strengthened and renewed for tomorrow. We ask for your peace, your healing, your comfort, your mercy, and your goodness, to surround our home and be extended to all those we love. Thank you for your great care over us.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
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8. Pray for faith over fear.
“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!’ He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge…” (Psalm 91:1-2, 4)
Dear Lord,
We believe you are close, and your protection is more powerful than we could ever imagine. Thank you that you constantly remind us we never have to be afraid, in the day or the night. So we choose to put our trust in you right now, we choose faith over fear, as we lay our heads down to sleep. We need the peace and security that only you can give to soothe our hearts and spirits. We pray for good dreams, for your blessings to surround in every way. We thank you that you cover us in your care, and station your angels all around.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
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9. Allow Him to receive your hurt.
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)
Dear Lord,
We’re hurting. Thank you that we are never invisible to you, but you see all, and you understand. This pain we’ve been carrying feels too great. The uncertainty over the future can easily fill our minds with fear and bring huge worry to our hearts. Please take away this burden so we can sleep peacefully in your care. We thank you that you are close and that you’re always with us. We pray for your healing and your huge grace to encircle us as never before. We ask for your angels of protection and comfort to surround us in the night. Thank you that you are our Redeemer and you will never waste this painful season.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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10. Pray for hope and peace, remembering His promises.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:1-6)
Dear God,
We thank you that your promises are true, and your words bring hope and peace. We pray these words back to you right now and we ask you to help us sleep soundly in your care. Thank you that you are our shepherd and you will provide all that we need. Thank you that you bring peace and calm, even in the midst of difficult times, and you faithfully lead us to places of security under your protective hand. We know we never have to fear, for you are always with us. Thank you that goodness and love follow us every day of our lives, and we will dwell with your forever.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's Facebook page, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also on Twitter and at her blog www.debbiemcdaniel.com.
This article is part of our Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Serenity Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Irish Blessings & Prayers
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
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Originally published Tuesday, 12 March 2019.
