Before you sleep
Psalm 42:8 (Good News Translation)
May the Lord show his constant love during the day, so that I may have a song at night,
a prayer to the God of my life.
2 Timothy 1:3 (Common English Bible)
I’m grateful to God, whom I serve with a good conscience as my ancestors did.
I constantly remember you in my prayers day and night.
As a childPerhaps you said bedtime prayers. I did.
Mine consisted of Now I lay me down to sleep I have admit I have no idea what it meant, except somehow I was asking God to take care of me while I slept. This was followed by a long list of God Bless prayers.
God bless Mommy. |
Something like that. For more ideas on God Bless prayers for adults or for children click here.
By grade school I was praying for God to send the sandman so I could fall asleep, and for a few years I prayed that I would not remember my dreams, because I was plagued by nightmares. I didn't consciously experience those for a long, long time.
By grade school I was praying for God to send the sandman so I could fall asleep, and for a few years I prayed that I would not remember my dreams, because I was plagued by nightmares. I didn't consciously experience those for a long, long time.
As an adult
Prayer before bed is still a good idea. My bad knees don't often allow me to kneel at my bedside, but sometimes I do. It's also okay to say your prayers sitting or lying in bed. Here are some useful prayer ideas for bedtime.
- Surrender everything to God for the night. Let go of every worry, concern and item on your to do list.
- Give thanks for everything you were able to do and all the needs that were met today.
- Count your blessings. Give thanks for the many good things in your life not just today but everyday.
- Offer expanded God Bless prayers. Pray for family, friends, co-workers, and anyone that comes to mind.
- Ask God for a good night's rest including relief from pain, worry, stress, fear and nightmares.
- Put tomorrow in God's hands. That's where it belongs for tonight.