10 Prayers and Meditations to Help You Wind Down at the End of the Day

Even when we can’t see all that’s ahead, we can trust that God knows our way and will make our paths straight.

“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,

The way ahead seems uncertain right now. It’s hard to sleep because our thoughts keep racing towards all that feels unsure. We ask for your help in simply trusting you, knowing that you care, and you are already at work in putting the pieces in place for our tomorrow. Thank you God that you are fully trustworthy, thank you that we can place our faith in you and not in ourselves. You will make our paths straight and our footsteps strong. 

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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This world can feel dark many days. Dangers seem to be lurking at every turn, and we may find ourselves worrying about the safety of our loved ones too. God understands and He cares. He is our protector and strong fortress, and promises that we can find shelter and refuge in Him.

“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 God, 

We’re struggling with feeling afraid and worried. The uncertainty over the future fills our minds with fear and burdens down our hearts. Please take this fear away 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 in our spirits and your amazing 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 the difficult circumstances we’ve faced.

In Jesus’ Name, 

Amen.

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God never promised us this life would be easy. But He does tell us to come to Him with our worries and burdens. When the world presses in and the struggles are mounting up high, His promise to us is one of rest and peace. We can choose to trade in our burdens for His rest filling our souls. 

"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)

Dear God, 

It’s hard to wind down at the end of this day because life feels uncertain in so many ways. We just don’t know what to do. These big decisions are pressing hard. We can’t see all the answers but we’re choosing to believe that you’re still leading us. Help us to hear your voice, help us to see your hand guiding us at every turn. Make the way clear before us and we ask that you open the right doors and close the ones that aren’t meant for us to walk through. We give it to you again right now, knowing that you are helping us and working on our behalf, even as we sleep.

In Jesus’ Name, 

Amen.

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God promises that He is with us always, strengthening and helping us. We may not see it, we may not even feel it, but we can be assured, He is holding us today through all we walk through.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Dear God,

We know that your word reminds us over and over that we do not have to fear. We know that you are with us and your protection and Presence are powerful. We ask that you would cover us and remind us that you have stationed your angels around us to guard us in all our ways. Thank you that you never sleep or slumber, you are constantly watching over us, constantly aware, so we can get some sleep. We choose faith over fear right now and ask that you would surround us with your peace.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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It’s easy sometimes for our focus to get blurred. We start to worry and fear the “what ifs” filling our minds and thoughts. It can be hard to get out of this trap, yet we can know that through God’s power, He gives us strength to choose what is better. May He help us to set our eyes on Him right now, on His truth and goodness.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things…and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

Dear God, 

We ask for your help to focus fully on you right now, on all that is true and right. Our thoughts are so often driven by our own fears and anxiety, we lose our focus to all the wrong things. We choose to set our thoughts on you and your word. We know that you are with us and your Spirit is filling us with peace and faith. Thank you Lord for your help and love. Thank you that you alone are truth and light, we rest in that tonight. 

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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God’s word reminds us to “cast," or throw, all our worries over to Him, every single one. Because He cares about all that concerns us. And He can handle them all so much better than we can.

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Dear God, 

Thank you that you will never waste our pain and suffering. We release to you this day every need and problem we’ve carried or tried hard to control. Help us not to pick it back up again and try to carry the burden ourselves. We believe in your goodness to see us through. We love you. We need you today.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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We can trust the Lord as our Good Shepherd, He is fully able to lead us in peace and love. His power protects us, and His goodness restores our souls. We never have to fear the dark places we may walk through in this life, because we know He is right there with us, bringing us safely through.

"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 give you all that we have faced today, and we find our rest in you this evening. Thank you for your gentle and loving care over us and our families. Thank you that you so faithfully lead us in your goodness and love, restoring our spirits and our souls. No matter what tomorrow brings, we believe that you are already there, paving our way, covering us in your care.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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Even though there may be a lot left undone at the end of every day, if we're living close to the One who created the day and cares about us more than we could ever imagine, that's where true life is found. That's where true peace is. Bringing hope in the chaos, through the struggles and troubles. 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Dear God,

We confess our need for you today. We need your healing and your grace. We need hope restored. We need to be reminded that you work on behalf of those you love, constantly, powerfully, completely. Forgive us for trying to fix our situations all on our own. Forgive us for running all different directions and spinning our wheels to find help, when true help and healing must be found first in You. We come to you and bring you the places where we are hurting.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

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No matter what we may be facing in this life, God holds the final victory, and we can trust Him in the midst of all that may be happening around us. His word calls us to live free from fear, to seek after a quiet and secure confidence in Him who alone is able to save us.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:1-2, 10-11)

Dear God,

You see where no one else is able to fully see or understand. You know the pain we’ve carried. The burdens. The cares. You know where we need to be set free. We ask for your healing and grace to cover every broken place. Every wound. Every heartache. Thank you that you are able to do far more than we could ever imagine. Thank you for your Mighty Power that acts on behalf of your children. We reach out to you, and know that you are restoring and redeeming every place of difficulty, every battle, for your greater glory. Help us now, to be still, and find our rest in you alone.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

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