Gina Johnson
There are many prayers in the Catholic faith that can be used for interrupted sleep. These prayers can bring comfort, peace, and encouragement to those who pray them. Some prayers are meant to be said upon waking, such as the Morning Offering Prayer, while others are meant to be said before sleep, such as the Liturgy of the Hours or the Ignatian Examen. Some prayers are simple and short, such as Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, while others are more detailed and specific.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To comfort, give peace, and help one feel closer to God |
| Who can pray? | Catholics and other Christians |
| When to pray? | Nighttime, before falling asleep |
| Examples of prayers | Liturgy of the Hours, Ignatian Examen, Gradual Psalms, Guardian Angel prayer, etc. |
| Prayer examples | "Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in His peace." "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep." "Dear God, my head is heavy, the body weary. It's time for sleep, and I succumb." |
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What You'll Learn
Short prayers for sleep
> Dear God, my head is heavy, the body weary. It’s time for sleep, and I succumb. I am thankful O God for rest and renewal. A time to recharge. A time to dream. A time of quiet. I am thankful for all I have. Amen.
> Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, go back into my memory as I sleep. Every hurt that has been done to me, heal that hurt. Every hurt I have caused to someone, heal that hurt. But Jesus, if there is anything I need to do, if a person is still suffering from my wickedness, bring to my awareness that which I have hurt and need to remedy. I choose to forgive others and I ask to be forgiven. Remove whatever bitterness remains in my heart and fill it with Your everlasting love. Amen.
> Jesus Christ my God, I adore you and thank you for all the graces you have given me this day. I offer you my sleep and all the moments of this night, and I ask you to keep me from sin. I put myself within your sacred side and under the mantle of our Lady. Let your holy angels stand about me and keep me in peace. And let your blessing be upon me. Amen.
> Dear God, as I lay me down to sleep, relax the tension of my body; calm the restlessness of my mind; still the thoughts that worry and perplex me. Help me to rest myself and all my problems in your strong and loving arms. Let your Spirit speak to my mind and heart while I am asleep, so that, when I wake up in the morning, I may find that I have received in the night-time, light for my way; strength for my tasks; peace for my worries; forgiveness for my sins. Grant me sleep tonight, and tomorrow the power to live. Amen.
> Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.
> Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in His peace. Amen.
If you are still unable to sleep, you could try praying the Gradual Psalms (Psalms 120-134). Alternatively, you could listen to Bible bedtime stories or Bible verses for sleep, such as Isaiah 40-44 or Psalm 139.
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Psalms for insomnia
There are many powerful prayers in the Catholic faith tradition for nighttime, including the Liturgy of the Hours or the Ignatian Examen. For those struggling with insomnia, the following Psalms are recommended for peaceful sleep and surrendering to rest.
Psalm 4:8
> In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 is a reminder that God is in control, and that we can trust in Him to protect us. It is a powerful verse to meditate on when anxious thoughts keep us awake.
Psalm 91
> Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91 is comforting for those struggling with fear and scary thoughts at night. It reminds us that God will not only protect us but also defend us with His unfathomable power.
Psalm 116:7
> Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
This verse from Psalm 116:7 is a reminder that our souls can rest because the Lord is good. It encourages us to reflect on God's goodness and His presence with us, bringing peace to our minds, bodies, and souls.
In addition to these Psalms, there are other short nighttime prayers that Catholics may find comforting, such as the Guardian Angel prayer or the traditional bedtime prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep." These prayers can bring peace, comfort, and a sense of God's presence as we drift off to sleep.
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Praying with children
Incorporate Simple Prayers:
Keep the prayers simple and easy for children to understand and memorise. You can use traditional Catholic prayers such as the Guardian Angel Prayer:
> "Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love entrusts me here, ever this night (day) be at my side to light, to guard, to rule, and to guide. From sinful stain, O keep me free, and at death's hour, my helper be. Amen."
Or the "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" prayer:
> "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Watch and guard me through the night, and wake me with the morning light. Amen."
Express Gratitude:
Teach children to express gratitude for the day's blessings. This can be a special time to thank God for family, friends, a comfortable home, and other gifts. For example:
> "Dear God, we thank you for this day and for all the good things in our lives. Thank you for our family, our home, and the love we share. Amen."
Ask for Guidance and Protection:
Prayers can also be a time to ask for guidance, protection, and peace. You might say:
> "Dear God, please watch over us as we sleep. Keep us safe and surround us with your angels. Give us peaceful dreams and help us wake up refreshed and full of your love. Amen."
Read Bible Verses:
Introduce children to Bible verses that offer comfort and reassurance at bedtime. For example, Isaiah 40-44 reminds us of God's promises:
> "The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless."
Or Psalm 139, which speaks of God's infinite wisdom and presence:
> "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. [...] You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me."
Encourage Personal Reflection:
As children get older, encourage them to reflect on their day and share their own prayers. They might pray for specific intentions, such as an upcoming test or a friend who is struggling. Guide them to see prayer as a conversation with God, where they can share their thoughts, worries, and gratitude.
Remember, the exact words are less important than the intention and desire to connect with God. So feel free to adapt these suggestions or create your own prayers that resonate with your family's faith journey.
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Nighttime prayer origins
The exact origins of nighttime prayers are unknown, though some date back to 18th-century England. One such prayer, which begins with "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep", has different versions for Catholics, Protestants, and the Orthodox faith.
The "White Paternoster", as it was called, was first printed in 1737 in Thomas Fleet's "New England Primer". It is believed to be a combination of two prayers, with the most popular version being:
> Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.
Another well-known prayer is the Guardian Angel prayer, which is shorter and simple:
> Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love entrusts me here, ever this night (day) be at my side to light, to guard, to rule, and to guide. From sinful stain, O keep me free, and at death’s hour, my helper be. Amen.
Praying at night is a way for believers to seek solace, express gratitude, and find guidance from God. It is a time for reflection, connection, and spiritual rejuvenation. Night prayers are also said to deepen one's faith and provide comfort and strength during life's challenges.
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Prayer apps and audiobooks
There are several Catholic prayer apps and audiobooks that can help with interrupted sleep. Here are some options:
Prayer Apps
- Hallow App: This app was created by a young man who wanted to address a missing part of his spiritual life. It offers guided meditations and serene audio environments to help users pray and cultivate a closer relationship with God. The app features content from Catholic experts, including bishops, and provides access to ancient teachings on prayer and meditation. It also includes prayers for children, making it a great option for families.
- Amen App: This app, created by the Augustine Institute, follows a similar format to Hallow with sleep-inducing content. It provides guided meditations and serene audio environments to help users pray and connect with their souls.
Prayers and Audiobooks
- Catholic Online: This website offers a variety of Catholic prayers, including those for arising from sleep and morning prayers. While it was de-platformed by Shopify, it still provides valuable prayer resources such as the "Arising from Sleep" prayer: "O Master and holy God, who are beyond our understanding: at your word, light came forth out of darkness. In your mercy, you gave us rest through night-long sleep, and raised us up to glorify your goodness and to offer our supplication to You."
- Catholic Prayers: This website offers a "Prayer Before Sleep": "Jesus Christ my God, I adore you and thank you for all the graces you have given me this day. I offer you my sleep and all the moments of this night, and I ask you to keep me from sin. I put myself within your sacred side and under the mantle of our Lady. Let your holy angels stand about me and keep me in peace. And let your blessing be upon me. Amen."
- Hallow Blog: This blog associated with the Hallow app provides several short and simple night prayers perfect for praying solo or with families. One example is: "In this evening hour of my day, O Lord, I turn to you in this brief moment of peace. As the day winds down, I give You thanks and ask for Your blessing on me and my loved ones. Grant us peace in the balance of this day and all our days. Amen."
- Catholic Appitude Blog: This blog post discusses the Hallow and Amen apps and provides a few simple prayers for bedtime, such as: "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Thy love guard me through the night, And wake me with the morning light."
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Frequently asked questions
There is no specific prayer for interrupted sleep, but there are several Catholic prayers that can be said at bedtime to help you get back to sleep after an interruption.
Here are some examples of Catholic prayers that can be said at bedtime:
- "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Watch and guard me through the night, and wake me with the morning light."
- "Jesus Christ, my God, I adore you and I thank you for the many favors you have bestowed on me this day. I offer you my sleep and all the moments of this night, and I pray that you preserve me from sin. Therefore, I place myself in your most sacred side, and under the mantle of our Blessed Lady, my Mother. May the holy Angels assist me and keep me in peace, and may your blessing be upon me. Amen."
- "Dear God, as I lay me down to sleep, relax the tension of my body; calm the restlessness of my mind; still the thoughts that worry and perplex me. Help me to rest myself and all my problems in your strong and loving arms."
Yes, there are morning prayers that can be said when you wake up, such as:
- "O Master and holy God, who are beyond our understanding: at your word, light came forth out of darkness. In your mercy, you gave us rest through night-long sleep, and raised us up to glorify your goodness and to offer our supplication to You. Now, in your own tender love, accept us who adore You and give thanks to You with all our heart."
Yes, the "Guardian Angel" prayer can be said at any time during the night:
- "Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love entrusts me here, ever this night (day) be at my side to light, to guard, to rule, and to guide. From sinful stain, O keep me free, and at death’s hour, my helper be. Amen."
