As humans, we need sleep to refresh not only our weary bodies, but also our souls.
It is remarkable what a good night’s sleep can do, bringing clarity to our minds and washing away whatever anger or hurt we harbored the day before.
There is a long tradition in the Catholic Church of praying a set of night prayers to conclude the day, asking God to send us a refreshing sleep.
Here is a short collection of prayers for night time, entrusting even your sleep to God.
Prayer to St. Joseph for nightly protection
Lord Jesus receive my soul. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and all the Saints pray for us to our Lord, that we may be preserved this night from sin and all evils. Amen.
Night prayer to protect yourself from evil
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and ail the saints pray for us to Our Lord that we may be preserved this night from sin and evil.
O my good angel, whom God has appointed to be my guardian, watch over me during this night.
May Our Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil and bring us to life everlasting.
May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen
Sleep in peace with this beautiful night prayer
Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep,
that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.
Lord God,
send peaceful sleep
to refresh our tired bodies.
May your help always renew us
and keep us strong in your service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.
Pray this night prayer of St. Augustine when trying to fall asleep
Watch, Lord, with those who work or wake or weep tonight.
Give the angels and saints charge over those who sleep.
O Lord Jesus Christ, tend your sick ones, rest Your weary ones, bless Your dying ones, soothe the suffering ones, pity all the afflicted ones, shield the joyful ones, and all for Your love’s sake. Amen.
Can’t go back to sleep in the middle of the night? Pray this prayer
Great God! Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I adore thee truly present here by thy immensity, which fills all space; and I rejoice with adoring love and gratitude, that in thee we live, move and have our being.
Then, in spirit before the tabernacle, say:
My Divine Jesus, lover of humanity, I thank thee for thy tender and loving condescension, in remaining with us day and night! O Angels of our sanctuary! Love, praise, and adore my Jesus for me.
Read more:
5 Bedtime prayers for a peaceful night