21 Evening Prayers for the End of the Day

Twenty-one evening prayers, each one paired with the verse it comes from. Most pages about evening prayer give you the prayer and stop there. The verse is what makes the prayer more than a wish, so it sits alongside every one of them here.

Every prayer on this page has also been prayed aloud by our team at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, at the Stone of Anointing where Christ was laid after the crucifixion. Send us your own prayer and we will place it there on your behalf.

Jump to: Before bedShortEvening prayerComplineCatholicThe ExamenTraditionalEnd of dayThankfulnessGuidanceFamilyProtectionAfter a hard dayCannot sleepAnxietyGriefNight shiftThe days aheadA new dayBible versesQuestions

Evening Prayer Before Bed

If you are looking specifically for prayers to say as you get into bed, including prayers for children, for bad dreams, and for the nights you cannot sleep, see our bedtime prayers.

Dear God,
As I lay down to sleep, I thank you for the many blessings you have given me today. I am grateful for my family, my friends, and my home. I ask that you watch over me and my loved ones as we rest. Please keep us safe and healthy.

I also ask that you help me to let go of any worries or concerns that I have. Help me to trust in your plan and to have peace in my heart.
Thank you for your love and guidance.
Amen.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

Short Evening Prayer

For the nights when you get into bed and realise you have not said anything all day. Each of these takes under fifteen seconds.

Lord, thank You for today. I am done carrying it. Give me rest, and give me tomorrow. Amen.

Father, forgive what I got wrong today. Guard this house tonight. Amen.

God, I am tired. Stay close. Amen.

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Proverbs 3:24

Evening Prayer

Dear God,
Thank you for this day and all the blessings it brought. Thank you for the people in my life and for the love and support they provide.

As I prepare for sleep, I ask for your protection and guidance. Please watch over me and my loved ones, and keep us safe from harm. Help me to let go of any worries or concerns, and give me peace of mind.
Thank you for your love and grace.
Amen.

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.” Psalm 143:8

Night Prayer: The Traditional Order (Compline)

Compline is the last of the daily offices, prayed by Christians for more than fifteen hundred years as the final thing before sleep. Most pages that rank for evening prayer point at it without ever printing it. Here it is in order, short enough to pray in five minutes.

1. Open.

May the Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

2. Examine the day. Sit quietly and let the day come back to you. Where were you kind? Where were you not? Say it plainly, without a speech.

Lord, I am sorry for what I got wrong today, for what I said too quickly and what I left unsaid. Forgive me and let me start again tomorrow. Amen.

3. The psalm.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

4. The responsory.

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings. Amen.

5. The Nunc Dimittis, the song of Simeon, prayed at Compline for centuries.

“Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation.” Luke 2:29-30

6. Close.

Guard us waking, guard us sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep we may rest in peace. Amen.

Pray this the same way every night and it becomes the thing that ends your day rather than your phone.

Catholic Evening Prayers

There are many different Catholic evening prayers that people can use before going to bed. Here is one example:

• “Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom God’s love commits me here, Ever this day be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.”

This is a well-known prayer to the guardian angel. It asks for the angel’s protection and guidance throughout the night.

Another popular Catholic evening prayer is the “Evening Prayer” or “Compline” from the Liturgy of the Hours, which is the daily prayer of the Catholic Church. This prayer includes hymns, psalms, and a reading from scripture. Here is an excerpt:

• “God, come to my assistance; Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires, known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

There are many other Catholic evening prayers that people can use. It is also common for Catholics to pray the Rosary as an evening prayer.

“Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” Psalm 31:5

The Examen, Step by Step

The Examen is a five-step review of the day that Ignatius of Loyola asked his companions to pray every evening. Jesuit sites name it constantly and almost never write it out. It takes about ten minutes.

1. Become aware. Stop moving. Notice that God is already present, before you say anything.

2. Give thanks. Name one specific good thing from today. Not gratitude in general, one actual thing.

3. Walk back through the day. Morning to now. Do not judge it yet, just watch it.

4. Find the two moments. Where did you feel most alive, and where most drained? Those two moments are the ones to bring to God.

5. Look at tomorrow. Ask for the one thing you will need.

Lord, thank You for being in today whether or not I noticed. Show me where I met You and where I walked past You. Give me what I need for tomorrow. Amen.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23

Traditional Evening Prayers by Name

These are the old ones, the prayers people have said at night for generations. If you learned a prayer as a child, it is probably one of these.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Guide me safely through the night, and wake me with the morning light. Amen.

An English prayer dating to the eighteenth century, still the first prayer most children learn.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

An Evening Prayer of Saint Augustine

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, rest your weary ones, soothe your suffering ones, and all for your love’s sake. Amen.

Attributed to Augustine of Hippo, fourth century.

Prayer for the End of the Day

Here is a simple prayer for the end of the day:

Dear God,
As I come to the end of this day, I thank you for the many blessings you have given me. I am grateful for my health, my family, my friends, and all the good things in my life.

As I prepare for sleep, I ask for your protection and guidance. Please watch over me and my loved ones, and keep us safe from harm. Help me to let go of any worries or concerns, and give me peace of mind.
Thank you for your love and grace.
Amen.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23

Prayer of Thankfulness at the End of the Day

Today was a wonderful day! Thank You for allowing me to be Your vessel in spreading Your love to others through my actions today; in public, at work, and even in my own home. I was the salt and the light to many people today. I know there will always be unbelievers, but there are also lost people on very fertile soil. Lord, I pray that the seeds I planted today were on fertile soil. I ask that you water these seeds and reap a bountiful harvest. Thank you for this day! Amen.

“It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.” Psalm 92:2

Nightly Prayer for Guidance

Dear God,
As I lay down to sleep, I ask for your guidance and direction. Help me to make good decisions and to follow your will for my life.

I also ask for your protection and care as I rest. Please watch over me and my loved ones, and keep us safe from harm. Help me to let go of any worries or concerns, and give me peace of mind.
Thank you for your love and guidance.
Amen.

More prayers for guidance.

“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.” Psalm 16:7

Evening Prayer for Family

• Dear God, please bless my family and keep us safe. Help us to love and support each other, and to always be there for one another. Amen
• Dear Lord, please watch over my family and protect us from harm. Help us to trust in your plan and to always put our faith in you. Amen
• Dear God, thank you for my family. Please give us strength, wisdom, and guidance as we face the challenges of life. Help us to always be there for each other and to support one another. Amen
• Dear Lord, please bless my family and keep us united. Help us to forgive one another and to always be kind and compassionate. Amen.

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Proverbs 3:24

Prayer for the Lord’s Protection Through the Night

Lord, please continue to pour out your gracious protection to my family and I this night. Defend us from all dangers, and from the fear of all things, that we may enjoy such refreshing sleep as may fit us for the duties of the coming day, and the days that follow. I ask that you grant me grace to live in such a state that I may never be afraid to die so that, living and dying, I may be Yours.

“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” Psalm 91:5

Prayer for Peace After a Hard Day

Father, today was a very tough day for me. I am stressed out about bills, finances, work, family issues, and the state of the world that surrounds me. I feel like I am at the end of my rope, and I don’t know how to hold on. Life is out of control right now, and I’m at a loss at to how to face another day. Lord, I need Your stability right now. You are my Rock! Please refresh my Spirit with song, peace, and reassurance. Refresh my mind with Your Word! Refresh my soul within this prayer, Lord! I know You are in control, and that You will make my paths straight, and iron out all of these trials. What can I learn from these trials? I place these all in Your hands. Amen.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Evening Prayer When You Cannot Sleep

Lying awake is its own kind of suffering, and it is worse when you are alone with it. This is a prayer for the middle of the night rather than the start of it.

God, my body is still and my head is not. I have been over the same thoughts for hours and they have not got smaller. Take them. Nothing on that list is bigger than You. Slow my breathing. Let me sleep, and if I do not sleep, stay awake with me. Amen.

Lord, the house is quiet and I am not. Quiet me too. Amen.

“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.” Psalm 63:6

If you wake at three in the morning, this is the one.

Evening Prayer for Anxiety at Night

Night makes everything larger. The thing you could manage at noon is unmanageable at midnight, and that is not a failure of faith, it is what darkness does.

Father, the worry is louder tonight than it was this morning and nothing has actually changed. Remind me that the size of a fear at midnight is not its real size. Hold the thing I cannot fix. Amen.

Lord, I hand You tomorrow before it arrives. Amen.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Evening Prayer for a Grieving Night

Grief arrives at night more than any other time. There is nothing to fix here, so this prayer does not try.

Lord, I miss them. The house is louder for being quiet. I am not asking You to explain it tonight. I am asking You to sit with me while I get through the next few hours. Amen.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Evening Prayer for Someone Working Through the Night

For nurses, drivers, carers, parents of newborns, and anyone whose night is a shift rather than a rest.

Lord, be with everyone who is awake tonight because someone else needs them. Steady their hands, keep them alert, and give them rest when it finally comes. Amen.

“He will not let your foot slip; he who watches over you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:3

Prayer for Anticipation In the Coming Days

I am ready to fall asleep and arise tomorrow morning renewed, but I can’t help but think about the anticipation and anguish I have over life as a whole. But in the midst of my worry, I find myself thinking what Heaven will be like. I imagine beautiful walkways where the saints talk and sing praises to You! I imagine the room that Jesus has prepared for me, as He waits for me to join Him. I am reminded that I need not worry about tomorrow, or what is to come. For You alone are my protector, and my everything. Thank You for loving me so much, Father!

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.” Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer for the Strength of a New Day & A New Dawn

Lord, I am weak right now. There is so much going on in my life physically and emotionally that I feel like I am at my breaking point! I need Your strength to make it through these times. Father, I pray that tonight while I sleep You will refresh my mind and strength for tomorrow morning. I pray that You will watch over me as I dream peacefully, and bring pleasant thoughts into my mind. I ask these things in Your precious name. Amen.

Bible Verses for Night Prayer

These are the verses people search for most often to pray at night. Each one is short enough to memorise and carry into the dark.

For Sleep and Safety

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Proverbs 3:24

“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.” Psalm 3:5

For Protection Through the Night

“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” Psalm 91:5

“He will not let your foot slip; he who watches over you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:3

“The Lord will keep you from all harm; he will watch over your life.” Psalm 121:7

For a Restless or Anxious Night

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.” Psalm 63:6

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

For Thanks at the End of the Day

“It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.” Psalm 92:2

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

For Surrender Before Sleep

“Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” Psalm 31:5

“Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word.” Luke 2:29

Pray the verse first, then the prayer. The verse tells you what is true; the prayer is your answer to it.

Who Writes These Prayers

Our team in Jerusalem writes the prayers on this page and prays them aloud at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The traditional prayers are reproduced as they have been prayed for centuries, with their origin named each time. Scripture is quoted with the reference so you can read it in context.

Last reviewed 24 August 2026 by the Holy Land Prayer team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good evening prayer?

A good evening prayer does four things: it thanks God for the day, it admits what went wrong in it, it asks for protection through the night, and it hands tomorrow over. It does not need to be long. “Lord, thank You for today. I am done carrying it. Give me rest, and give me tomorrow. Amen.”

What is Compline?

Compline is the last of the daily prayer offices, prayed at the close of the day for more than fifteen hundred years. It follows a fixed order: an opening, an examination of the day, Psalm 4, a responsory, the Nunc Dimittis and a closing blessing. The full order is written out on this page.

What Bible verse should I read before sleeping?

Psalm 4:8 is the oldest answer: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” For a fearful night, Psalm 91:5. For a restless one, Psalm 63:6. All three are on this page with a prayer to match.

What is the Examen?

The Examen is a five-step review of the day taught by Ignatius of Loyola: become aware of God, give thanks for something specific, walk back through the day, find the moment you felt most alive and the moment you felt most drained, then ask for what you need tomorrow. It takes about ten minutes.

What should I pray when I cannot sleep?

Pray about the not sleeping rather than around it. “God, my body is still and my head is not. Take the thoughts I keep turning over. Let me sleep, and if I do not sleep, stay awake with me. Amen.”