Night prayer: 4 prayers to end the day

Each evening offers us an opportunity to reflect, give thanks, and entrust ourselves to God before resting. The night prayer is not just a habit but a way to end the day by handing over our worries to Him and finding peace in His presence.

These moments of spiritual connection allow us to thank for the day’s blessings, ask for forgiveness for our faults, and renew our trust in His care while we sleep. Before going to bed, in a moment of silence in your room, or even at the end of the day’s activities, the night prayer transforms our rest into an act of faith and hope. You can add one of these prayers to the daily readings to end each day with serenity and gratitude.

In this article, we share night prayers that you can say before sleeping, from the most traditional to some simple and spontaneous ones, which you can adapt to your own words and circumstances. Find a moment to be alone with God and experience the tranquility only His presence can give.

Also, remember that the night prayer is an invitation to offer our day as a gift to God. It is a moment to recognize His hand in every achievement and every trial and to rest with the certainty that He watches over us while we sleep. By ending our day with God, we ask for His protection and trust in His love and plan, knowing that each day is an opportunity to draw closer to Him.

It is unnecessary to say many prayers before sleeping; one is enough if we pray from the heart and with much love and gratitude for the day God has given us.

List of Night Prayers

1. Angel of God night prayer

The Angel of God prayer is a beautiful way to remember that we are never alone, as God has assigned us a heavenly companion to care for and guide us on our way. With simple and faith-filled words, this night prayer helps us ask for his protection and companionship each night:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Angel of God,

my guardian dear,

To whom God’s love

commits me here,

Ever this day, be at my side,

To light, to guard,

to rule, and guide.

Amen.

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2. Act of contrition

Before sleeping, it is important to reflect on our actions during the day and ask for forgiveness for the mistakes made. The Act of Contrition is a simple and profound night prayer that helps us sincerely repent and trust in God’s mercy:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

O my God,

I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,

and I detest all my sins

because of thy just punishments,

but most of all because they offend

Thee, my God,

who art all good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace

to sin no more, and to avoid

the near occasion of sin.

Amen.

3. Night prayer

End your day by thanking God for His blessings and handing over your worries and fatigue. This night prayer is an intimate dialogue with Him, which prepares us to rest under His care:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

I thank You, Lord, for this day

that ends. Thank You for everything

good that you have given me and for the

difficult moments, which bring me closer

to You. Forgive my faults, my

forgetfulness and my sins. Tonight,

I trust in your love and place myself in your

hands. May your angel guard me and grant me

a peaceful rest.

Amen.

4. Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi to offer the day

Saint Francis of Assisi - Morning Prayer - Night Prayer

This beautiful night prayer, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,” attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, invites us to be bearers of peace, love, and hope in a world that so desperately needs it. It is a call to live with generosity and humility, always seeking to reflect the light of Christ in our words and actions.

We share this night prayer with you so that, by praying it, you can offer your day as an instrument of God’s grace. It is a prayer that transforms the heart and reminds us that, in giving and serving, we find true joy and fulfillment:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

.

.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love,

for it is in giving that we receive,

.

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Maintaining a constant and sincere relationship with God is an essential aspect of our life as Catholics. This includes the call to reconcile with Him through the sacrament of confession, an act of love and humility that allows us to experience His infinite mercy. While God’s forgiveness is always available, going to the confessional helps us heal and strengthen our relationship, leaving us renewed and prepared to live in His grace.

Moreover, nothing compares to the experience of participating in the Holy Mass, the most perfect and powerful form of prayer. In each Eucharist, we unite with Jesus in His sacrifice and receive the greatest gift He left us: His Body and Blood. The Mass is not just a celebration; it is the center of our faith and the moment when our prayers reach their deepest level, as they are united with the very sacrifice of Christ.

Finally, accepting God’s will is the greatest expression of faith, which can be done in the night prayer. Amid our joys and challenges, let us trust that He has a perfect plan for each of us. His will is always for our good, even when we do not fully understand it. By surrendering to His guidance, we find true peace and purpose.