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Home :: Bedtime Prayers
Last updated: April 15, 2006
My collection of Grace Before Meals was such a success that I started this collection, now in its Sixth Edition. If you have a bedtime prayer to add, please contact me. You may not hear from me until I have added your prayer. Also feel free to add your comments.
Highlights of what's new in this edition: My mommy lay me down to sleep…, …And two to keep the Devil away., Now the light has gone away…, Ich bin klein, mein Herz ist rein…, Lord, bless me and my day's work;…, Dear Lord Jesus up above…, Lord: As I go to sleep tonight…, Lutheran prayer collection, Father, now the night has come…, Angel of God my guardian dear…, With all that I do…, Time has come for me to sleep…, Two little eyes, to look up to God…, Now I lay me down to rest…, Dear God, I thank You for Your care…, Baha'i, and many new variations of familiar prayers.
To get things started, I offer the prayer my mother taught me. Now that I am grown, I find it too dark to teach my children. Who wants their kids to think about dying just before bedtime?
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.
Contributed by Tim Chambers <bedpryr1@timchambersusa.com>
Just my thoughts about a new addition to an old prayer.
And if He should give me one more day, I pray I will walk in His Way. And when my days are at an end, I pray at Heaven's Gate, He will invite me in.
Contributed by Raleigh I. Miller <raleighmiller@comcast.net>
I agree with you, the standard "now I lay me" is so dismal. So my husband and I have revised the "now I lay me" prayer for our two children as follows:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
And in the morning when I awake,
help me Lord, the path of love to take.
Contributed by Betty-Jo Tilley & Richard Kuhlenschmidt <rkuhlen@ix.netcom.com>, webstewards for the Parish of St. Matthew, Pacific Palisades.
[I am including this in good faith, assuming a single prayer out of a book is considered fair use. If I subsequently learn I am mistaken, I will remove it from my collection. - tbc]
We found this on a small poster at Wal-Mart. I like it.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
See me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
It has no author. It only has: 1996 SCAFA-TORNABENE ART PUBLISHING CO, INC., WEST NYACK, NY, NO 001-12381[sic]
Contributed by Mrs. Janeen Garner <neen@sanet.com>
"PENNYWORD" <PENNYWORD@prodigy.net> contributed this variation:
…Guide me safely through the night
And wake me with the morning's light.
"rs" <rskinner1@knology.net> contributed this variation:
…Sweet dreams all through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
"Zinger Dinger"<jessiehatz_21@hotmail.com> contributed this variation:
…Guard me Jesus through the night,
And wake me up in the morning light.
Kolleen Robertson <kz1216@hotmail.com> contributed this variation:
My son loves to hear [this prayer] every night even at age 13.
…wake me with the morning light.
I love you Jesus, thank you for this wonderful day.
Christy Fowler <cafowler@mail.clay.k12.fl.us> contributed this variation:
My 2 year old daughter says this:
May angels watch me through the night
and keep me in their blessed sight.
Stephanie Pilon <stephy_baby30@hotmail.com> contributed this variation:
My mom taught me this prayer when I was two:
…may angels watch me through the night
and keep me safe till morning light (or bright).
BMWMARNIE@aol.com contributed this variation:
Now I lay me used to frighten me as a child, I was afraid I would die in my sleep. So when my daughter was born 15 years ago I rewrote it:
…Praise the Lord my soul to keep
Angels waiting in the night
to guide me thru to mornings light.
S. Hasselbring <suehassel@juno.com> contributed this variation:
…Glad and well may I awake
And this I ask for Jesus' sake.
ferngully2004@aol.com contributed this variation:
…If I should live for other days,
I pray Thee, Lord, to guide my ways.
A little one I made up to tack on to the end of the ever-popular looming-death quatrain goes:
Thank you, God
for today,
You blessed my work
you blessed my play.
Contributed by Boone <texjap@crest.ocn.ne.jp>
I was searching to find a prayer my grandmother use to tell me before she died. I found this site and read through the variations and they are quite similar. Thank you, your site helped me remember.
This night I lay me down to sleep
I give the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the lord my soul to take
Four corners of my bed
Four angels over head
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Bless this bed I lay upon
I lay my head on our lady's knee
Jesus come this night and save me
Heart of Joseph I adore thee
Heart of Mary I implore thee
Heart of Jesus pure and just
In those three hearts I place my trust.
Contributed by Peter Miskell <petemiskell@nl.rogers.com>
My daughter, now age 22, still recalls the times she feared sleep because the thought of "if I shoul die before I wake" used to terrify her as a small child. We changed the prayer as follows:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord, my soul to keep.
Two angels standing near my bed,
One at foot and one at head,
To guide me safely through the night,
and wake me with the morning light.
Contributed by VaLinda Jones, Warsaw, MO<kandv@iland.net>
My daughter has been scared of "if I die before I wake." I heard a new version and decided to share it with you.
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the lord my soul to keep
Let the angels watch over me through the night
and keep me in their blessed sight. Amen.
Contributed by Teresa Dyck <iked@mts.net>
My six-year old daughter has been saying this prayer for 3 years now. We like her version.
Original:
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray dear Lord my soul to keep
May angels guard me through the night
And keep me safe 'til morning light. Amen.
Hers:
My mommy lay me down to sleep
I pray dear Lord my soul to keep
May angels guard me through the night
And keep me safe 'til morning light
Amen. I love you Jesus.
Contributed by Gregg Schlau <schlau@bigfoot.com>
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the lord my soul to keep
Thy Love protect me through the night
and wake me with the morning light.
Contributed by Roni Thorn <thornsteve@worldnet.att.net>, Bellevue, WA
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
May angels watch me through the night
And wake me in the morning light
Contributed by "carolyncamille" <carolyncamille@earthlink.net>
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
Angels watch over me through the night
and wake me on the morning light.
Contributed by Eric and Tamra Sheline <shelinedesign@gbis.com>, USMC, Bridgeport, CA
I found it a bit morbid as a child but the one that I learned from my grandmother was:
And now I lay me down to sleep
I ask the Lord my soul to keep,
And should I die before I wake
I ask the Lord my soul to take.
Four posts around my bed,
Four angels around my head,
One to watch and one to pray
And two to keep the Devil away.
Contributed by Chrissy MacNeil <christina_mac@hotmail.com>
Five little angels round my bed.
One to the foot and one to the head.
One to sing and one to pray, and one to take my sins away. Amen.
Contributed by Randall L. Wynkoop <<rwynkoop@nauticom.net> and Nancy Leer leer@mwt.net>
This is a bedtime prayer I remember memorizing as a child:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,
Bless this bed that I lay on.
Before I lay me down to sleep,
I give my soul to Christ to keep.
Four corners to my bed,
Four angels 'round my head,
One to watch, one to pray,
And two to bear my soul away.
I go by sea, I go by land,
The Lord made me with his right hand,
If any danger come to me,
Sweet Jesus Christ, deliver me.
For he's the branch and I'm the flower,
Pray God send me a happy hour,
And if I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
Contributed by Carolyn Downey <carolyn.s.downey@lmco.com>, Kennesaw, GA
"CrazyGirl" <CrazyGirl782121@aol.com> contributed this variation:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Bless the bed I lay on
Bless me as I lay me down to sleep
I give myself to God to keep
Four angels over the spread.
Two at the corner, Two at the head
He's the branch, and I'm the flower
God send me a happy hour. Amen.
Lynn McDowell <lynn@can-enterprises.com> contributed this variation:
Four corners on my bed,
Four angels 'round my head.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
Bless the bed that I lay on.
Katie of Whitestone, New York <katybugg117@aol.com> contributed this variation:
My mother taught me this one when I was very young.
There are four corners on my bed
Four angels over-head
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Bless the bed that I lay on.
Megan Flynn <meganflynn@comcast.net> contributed this variation:
Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
Bless the bed I lay on.
Four corners around my bed
Four angels around my head.
1 to watch
1 to pray
2 to take my soul away.
My son was born 3/24/03. On 4/26/03 he stopped breathing and almost died. He turned completely purple from one end to the other, was rigid arching his back and his eyes were rolling up. It was the most terrifying experience we have ever had. In August, 03 he suffered the only other severe episode like that one - the rest were pretty minor by comparison, but occurred daily in spite of the medicine. He had severe acid reflux and we battled it for a long time. He is now doing great and off of all medication.
I grew up in the church and received Christ at 7. But what happened last year with Seth sparked a time of growth unlike none other in my entire life. Knowing God saved my son (now realizing that He saves us all, every minute of every hour, one breath at a time) really changed me. It also changed my nightly routine with our children.
Hannah was born 3/25/02. She and I pray for the other family members, our church friends and sometimes things like milk and cups, night-nights, etc. For both of them though, I always lay a hand on them and pray this:
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you would bless Hannah incredibly and that at an early and appropriate age she would accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior; That she would spend her whole life pursuing You; That You would bless her with a long life full of wisdom, health and safety, and contentment; That even now you would prepare for her a husband that will love, honor, cherish and serve You and her; and that she would love, honor, cherish and serve You and her husband. It is in Jesus' name I pray and give thanks. Amen.
Though there are obvious exceptions, I normally do this with her and Seth each night. I usually wait until he is asleep, however. I fight the urge to just reel it off without thinking about it, because sometimes I am tired and in a hurry. But I believe there is something special and revealing about how God feels about us when you cradle the back of your child's head in your hand while they sleep and intercede on their behalf, knowing that ultimately the decision will be theirs.
Contributed by Matthew Dial <mddial@earthlink.net>
Each of my mom's four children had a special bedtime prayer.
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
Guard me Jesus through the night
And wake me with the morning light.
Father in heaven hear my prayer
Keep me in thy loving care
Be my guide in all I do
And bless all those who love me too.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Bless this bed I sleep upon
Four corners to my bed
Four angels surround my head
One to watch and one to pray
And two to keep all harm away.
Help us to do the things we should
To be to others kind and good
In all we do and all we say
To grow more loving every day.
Contributed by Holly Beely <bbeely@nc.rr.com>
We started our children on this small prayer when they were young which seemed suitable:
Dear Father, hear and bless
Thy beasts and singing birds
And guard with tenderness
Small things that have no words.
We began this when our son was two and his new sister was born, explaining we were praying for her too, since she had no words. They are now 7 and 5 and we use this prayer, which is also a hymn. My parents raised me with this prayer.
Father, we thank Thee for the night,
And for the pleasant morning light,
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the world so fair.
Help us to do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good,
In all we do, in work and in play,
To grow more loving everyday.
Contributed by Mary Long <mary-doug_long@msn.com>
Dear Father in heaven look down from above,
Bless Mommy and Daddy and those who I love.
May angels watch over my slumber and when,
The morning is breaking, awake me. Amen.
Contributed by Randall L. Wynkoop <rwynkoop@nauticom.net>
Father, keep us through the night
Til the pleasant morning light.
Bless with all thy tender care
Little children everywhere. Amen.
Contributed by Jonathan Krauss <jkrauss@yampa.com>
Said this as a child now with my own children:
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God's love commits me here.
Every this night be at my side
To light and guard to rule and guide. Amen.
I believe God's angels are part of our life. They have proven it over and over again in my life and the lives of my children.
Contributed by "Huggnutt" <Huggnutt@aol.com>
I heard it put once that the following was so terribly startling to its auditors because its use up to that time was as a bedtime prayer:
Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
Contributed by Mel Johnson <Meljnsn@aol.com>
Thank you for your website -- I was surfing for an appropriate grace to say at a convention wind-up dinner suitable for all and found inspiration. I'd like to contribute two evening prayers my children learned to recite.
From year 1-6
Gentle Jesus hear my prayer.
Keep in in your tender care.
Be my guide in all I do,
and Help me live my life to you
Bless ….(family members and pets!)
From year 6 and on we learned one verse at time until they knew it all by heart.
And now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Thy angels watch me through the night,
And keep me safe 'til morning Light
Teach me to always say what's true.
Be willing in each task I do.
Help me to be good each day,
and lead me in thy holy way.
I pray whatever wrongs I've done,
You will forgive me every one.
Be near me when I wake again, and
Bless all of those I love. Amen.
Contributed by "Piluso" <piluso@shaw.ca>
This is the prayer my kids say every night.
God our father I come to say
thank you for your love today
thank you for my family
and all the love you give to me
guard me in the dark of night
and in the morning send you light
Contributed by Tony Cawley <AJCawley@aol.com>
I came across your lovely site. This is one of our favorites.
May God support us all the day long
till the shadows lengthen
and the evening comes
and the busy world is hushed
and the fever of life is over
and our work is done -
then in mercy -
may God give us a safe lodging
and a holy rest
and peace at the last.
Amen. -- John Newman
Contributed by Maryellen Harper <harpermm@attbi.com>
I learned this one as a little girl.
Jesus tender shepherd lead me
bless thy little lamb tonight.
Through the darkness be thou near me,
keep me safe till morning light.
All this day thy hand has led me,
and I thank thee for thy care.
Thou hast warmed me, clothed me, fed me.
Listen to my evening prayer.
Contributed by a member of Winchester United Methodist Church <wumc@myhtn.net>
I learned the following as a bedtime prayer and as an evening song (most evening songs are prayers…) This is slightly different than [the previous version] (no "thy's" and a third verse) -- A member of Good Shepherd Lutheran.
Jesus, Tender Shepherd hear me
Bless your little lamb tonight
Through the darkness please be near me
Keep me safe til morning light
All my days your hand has led me
And I thank you for your care
You have clothed me, warmed and fed me
Listen to my evening prayer.
May my sins be all forgiven
Bless the friends I love so well
Take us all at last to heaven
Happy there with you to dwell. Amen.
This is another evening song/prayer.
Now the light has gone away
Father listen while I pray
Asking Thee to watch and keep
And to send me quiet sleep
Jesus Savior wash away
All that I've done wrong today
Help me every day to be
Pure and gentle more like Thee.
Let my near and dear ones be
Always near and dear to Thee
Please take me and all I love
To Thy heavenly home above
Thou my best my heavenly friend
Thou wilt love me to the end
All my blessings come from Thee
Oh how good you are to me.
Now my evening praise I give
Thou didst die that I might live
All my blessings come from thee
Oh how good thou art to me!
Contributed by S. Hasselbring <suehassel@juno.com>
I think my Catholic father made up this prayer that my sisters and I said with him every night as children. When we got a little older we added the Guardian Angel prayer at the end. Now that I have boys of my own, we say the same bedtime prayer modified for them.
Dear Jesus, this is your little girl. Bless Mommy and Daddy, bless Grandma and Grandpa, bless my sisters and everyone I love. I am sorry if I was bad today, I will try to be better tomorrow. Good night, dear Jesus. I love you.
Contributed by Missy Lagomarsino <mlago@quixnet.net>
[This is] the bedtime prayer I use and my children, not sure when or where I learned it.
Father in heaven, hear my prayer.
Keep me in thy loving care.
Be my guide in all I do.
Bless all those who love me too.
Contributed by Joshua Clory <alloyboatworks.pei.aibn.com@pei.aibn.com>
In Christ I raise this prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep,
angels watching over me,
like the birds in the trees Lord watch me.
Contributed by Steven, a 13 year-old parishioner from St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Houston, TX.
Here is one I heard from a boy in seventh grade whom I taught and whose grandmother was German. It is one version of a common bedtime prayer in Germany. He said there was one more verse.
| German | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Ich bin klein, mein Herz ist rein. | I am small, my heart is pure. | |
| Daß niemand drinnen wohnen kann, | That none can dwell within | |
| als Jesus allein. | but Jesus alone. |
Contributed by a member of Christ Church, Greenville, SC
Lord, bless me and my day's work;
Keep me safe throughout the night.
Fill me with understanding of thy ways
and the wisdom to judge my errors.
Contributed by Stacey Ethier <staceyethier@hotmail.com>
This is a prayer that my daughter's grandmother, Linda Vickers, wrote for her. I think it's beautiful. I never liked asking the lord to take my soul before I wake.
Dear Lord Jesus up above
I live protected in your love
Guardian angels watch over me day and night.
I'll sleep peaceful till morning light
Contributed by Lyn Gurski, Montgomery, Alabama <gurski@bellsouth.net>
My kids and I say this one regularly. I heard it from a pastor at our old church.
Father, now the night has come,
all my work and play are done.
This has been a happy day,
now I come to you and pray.
Bless the children everywhere,
keep us in your loving care,
while we sleep and while we wake,
bless us all for Jesus' sake.
Contributed by Rich or Wendy <4hartsons@comcast.net>
I learned this prayer from my parents when I was a child and now I've passed it on to my daughter. I think this is lovely bedtime prayer for our children and for the next generations to come.
Angel of God my guardian dear,
To whom His love commits me here,
Every each day be at my side
To light and guard,
To rule and guide, Amen.
Contributed by D. del Rosario, New Zealand <delrosario_23@yahoo.com>
With all that I do,
and all that I say,
help me to walk
in Jesus' way.
Contributed by Tim and Marilyn Hanson <maritim@charter.net>
Lord: As I go to sleep tonight,
I pray you'll stay 'till morning light
Standing right beside my bed,
Laying sweet dreams inside my head.
If I wake before the day,
and all my dreams were dark and gray;
Never leave me, hold me tight,
let me know that I'm alright.
Until safe, I feel again,
and am soundly sleeping. Lord: Amen.
Contributed by Mrs. Kathy Clare <founderkathy@hotmail.co.uk>
I'm now starting to teach my children Martin Luther's evening prayer:
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Luther also had a corresponding morning prayer:
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Luther instructed that the Lord's Prayer be said prior to each of these.
I also sing various evening hymns to the children as a prayer. One of them is not really intended as an evening hymn, but fits well I think. It is the Song of Simeon from Luke 2:29-32 (sleep being a mild form of death):
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen
thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared
before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles
and the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be
world without end. Amen.
The other evening hymns I sing are:
Contributed by Richard Hiers
This is one my daughter says. (She's 4.) It is to the tune of "Brother John:"
Thank you Father, Thank you Father,
For this day, For this day,
And for all our family, And for all our family,
Thank you Lord, Thank you Lord.
Contributed by Jolene <pooker@ameritech.net>
Time has come for me to sleep,
And I thank Thee for Thy keep.
Watch this night well over me
Teach me Lord to trust in Thee.
Many sins I've done today
Please, Lord take them all away.
Look upon me in Thy grace
Make me pure before Thy face.
Care for children sick and poor,
Grant them Lord Thy blessing more
Care for Mom and Dad the same
This I pray in Jesus' Name.
Amen
Contributed by <coek@ihaonline.org>
[Here is a prayer] we have had passed down from generation to generation:
Two little eyes, to look up to God. Two little ears to hear his words. Two little feet to walk in his way, two hands to guide us through the day. One little tongue to speak the truth, one little heart for him and his youth. Thank them Lord Jesus, and let them be, always obedient and true to thee. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. God bless the bed that everyone in the world lay on. Four corners to their bed, six angels round their spread. Two at their head, two at their feet, and two to guide them while they sleep.
Contributed by Bill Morley, Ontario, Canada <silverado-2@hotmail.com>
This is a prayer that I heard from DMX in a movie called "Cradle 2 the Grave:" [I didn't know DMX could write twenty non-profane words in a row, but here's the proof. <>< tbc]
Angels East and Angels West
North and South just do your best
keep her safe, watch her while she rests.
Amen.
Contributed by Rob Bagne <rrbagne@yahoo.com>
My husband's grandma taught him this. Our children love this prayer and say it nightly!
Now I lay me down to rest
Angels guard my little nest
Like the wee birds in the tree
Loving Father care for me
Glad and well may I awake
This I ask for Jesus sake.
Amen
Contributed by Desiree Lee <davidslee@cox.net>
I found this prayer at in a Hallmark Store on a little plaque and taught it to my daughter when she was 3. She memorized it and still says it. (She's now 26.)
A Child's Prayer
Dear God, I thank You for Your care
You've been right with me everywhere
At school, at play, You're by my side
My special Friend, my loving Guide
And when the sun has said goodbye
And little stars shine in the sky
You're still with me, not far above
Right in my heart, for You are Love.
Amen
Contributed by AJ <snow.man16@verizon.net>
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Praised be Thou, O Lord my God! Graciously grant that this infant be fed from the breast of Thy tender mercy and loving providence and be nourished with the fruit of Thy celestial trees. Suffer him not to be committed to the care of anyone save Thee, inasmuch as Thou, Thyself, through the potency of thy sovereign will and power, didst create and call him into being. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the All-Knowing.
Lauded art Thou, O my Best Beloved, waft over him the sweet savors of Thy transcendent bounty and the fragrances of Thy holy bestowals. Enable him then to seek shelter beneath the shadow of Thy most exalted Name, O Thou Who holdest in Thy grasp the kingdom of names and attributes. Verily, Thou art potent to do what Thou willest, and Thou art indeed the Mighty, the Exalted, the Ever-Forgiving, the Gracious, the Generous, the Merciful.
- Bahá'u'lláh 34
O Thou peerless Lord! Let this suckling babe be nursed from the breast of Thy loving-kindness, guard it within the cradle of Thy safety and protection and grant that it be reared in the arms of Thy tender affection.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá
O God! Rear this little babe in the bosom of Thy love, and give it milk from the breast of Thy Providence. Cultivate this fresh plant in the rose garden of Thy love and aid it to grow through the showers of Thy bounty. Make it a child of the kingdom, and lead it to Thy heavenly realm. Thou art powerful and kind, and Thou art the Bestower, the Generous, the Lord of surpassing bounty.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá
(Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 33)
Contributed by John Raynor <jraynor@rogers.com>
Also feel free to add your comments.Sixth Edition, published on the World Wide Web April 15, 2006. Email updated April 07, 2013. Compilation Copyright ©, 1998, 2003, 2006, Tim Chambers <bedpryr@timchambersusa.com> 1E4AF729D5CEFFD0.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Please link to this page using the PURL: http://purl.org/net/tbc/bedpryr.htm
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