Night Prayers

Save us Lord while we are awake, protect us while we sleep,
that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace.

Before we close our eyes to sleep, the night prayer allows us to review our day and settle our hearts. In our ancient past, the night held its own dangers and it was often a fearful time. The darkness contained hidden peril, sometimes real, but many times only imagined, therefore prayers at night time usually called upon God for protection and security. They also expressed feelings of contrition for transgressions that may have occurred during the day. The night prayer allows us to make peace with God and requests forgiveness, reconciling us to our creator, the source of all comfort and security. Prayers at night, in the undistracted quiet, calm the mind, and let the fevered brain unwind from the myriad thoughts that occupy normally occupy it. God listens and enfolds us in his embrace.

Begone, dull worrying care, let me rest sweet faith and hope,
close mine eyes and still my heart;
Jesus give me sleep, and in sleeping give me my heart’s desire,
that I may awake and be satisfied. (F B Meyer)

O Lord my God who gives me peace, make me completely yours,
and keep my whole being, spirit, soul and body, free from all fault,
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
(Liturgy of the Hours)

Lord, give our bodies restful sleep
and let the work we have done today
be sown for an eternal harvest.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

In your mercy, Lord, dispel the darkness of this night.
Let your household so sleep in peace
that at the dawn of a new day
they may, with joy, waken in your name, Amen.

Nunc Dimittus:
Now master let your servant go in peace.
You have fulfilled your promise.
My own eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples.
A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;
the glory of your people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32)

Dearest Lord, I pray, when dense blackness falls to close the day in thickest folds of night,
let not my faith such darkness know, but by that faith let dark be light.

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son,
that you have graciously kept me and my family this day,
and I pray that you would forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong,
and graciously keep me this night.
For into your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things.
Let your holy Angel be with me,
that the evil foe may have no power over me, Amen.
(M. Luther)