A bedtime prayer is a way of putting the day down. You thank God for what was good, say sorry for what wasn't, and hand over what you couldn't finish. It can take thirty seconds. People have been doing it for a very long time, and the words of the Psalms suit a tired mind better than anything clever.
At the end of an ordinary day
Lord, thank You for today, the parts I noticed and the parts I missed. Forgive me where I fell short. I'm done now. Keep watch while I sleep. Amen.
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8 (KJV)
When tomorrow is already on your mind
God, tomorrow isn't here yet and I can't do anything about it from this pillow. It's Yours until morning. Amen.
When your mind won't switch off
Father, I keep going over the same things. Take each one as it comes up. I'll say Your name instead of the list. Amen.
“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”
Psalm 127:2 (KJV)
When you've gone to bed upset
Lord, I'm going to sleep with this still unresolved. Soften me toward them, and help me to do what I can in the morning. Amen.
When you wake at 3 a.m.
God, it's me again, in the dark. I'm not going to solve anything right now. Sit with me. Amen.
A simple wind-down
Try this for a week. Put your phone out of reach. Name one thing from the day you're thankful for. Say one of these prayers. Then stop, even if your mind hasn't. It's a small ritual and there's nothing to get right. If gratitude is hard at the end of a long day, prayers of gratitude may help, and how to rest in God goes further into rest as a practice.
Sleep is a real health matter too. If you've had trouble sleeping for some time, please mention it to your doctor.
A quiet card for the end of a long day, and for anyone you know who doesn't sleep well. Fig Devotional is a daily devotional for iPhone: a verse, a prayer and one small action, ending in a card like this one. Its guides are illustrated characters and its reflections are written with AI.
Common questions
What is a short prayer before bed?
Try this: Lord, the day is done. I give You what went well, what went badly, and what's left undone. Watch over me tonight. Amen.
What is a good Bible verse to read before bed?
Psalm 4:8 is a favorite for the end of the day. It speaks of lying down in peace and sleeping because the Lord keeps you safe. Psalm 127:2 and Proverbs 3:24 are also often read at night.
What should I pray when I can't sleep?
Keep it short. Name what's keeping you awake, hand it to God, and repeat a line from a psalm. You don't have to fill the time. If poor sleep goes on for a while, please mention it to your doctor.