Catholic Night Prayers

A Night Prayer by St. Alphonsus Liguori, from F. X. Lasance, With God (1911). Often searched as “catholic night prayers” or “prayer for the night catholic”.

Jesus Christ, my God, I adore Thee and I thank Thee for all the graces Thou hast bestowed on me this day. I offer to Thee my sleep and every moment of this night, and I beseech Thee to keep me free from sin. To secure this I place myself within Thy sacred side and under the protecting mantle of Our Lady, my Mother. May Thy holy angels help me and keep me in peace, and may Thy blessing be upon me. Amen.

Our own words, in the traditional shape: thanks, confession, intercession. Often searched as “evening prayers catholic”.

Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2

Lord God, as the evening comes, I thank You for the gifts of this day. Let my prayer rise before You like incense. Forgive what I have done wrong, in thought, in word, and in deed. Bless the Church, our Holy Father, and all who will die tonight. Watch over us through the night. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A short Compline in the traditional order, using public-domain texts: the antiphon Save us (Callan, 1925), the Canticle of Simeon (Douay-Rheims, 1899), and Visit this house (Lasance, 1911). The official Liturgy of the Hours text is in the Divine Office.

Save us, O Lord, when we are awake, and keep us while we sleep, that we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace. Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation. Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this habitation, and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy: let Thy holy angels dwell herein, to keep us in peace, and may Thy blessing be always upon us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

From Charles J. Callan, Blessed Be God (1925). The first line is Psalm 31:5 and Luke 23:46. Often searched as “catholic bedtime prayers”.

Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Lord Jesus, receive my soul. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified, I lay me down to rest. May He bless, govern and protect me; and, after this short pilgrimage, bring to me everlasting happiness. Amen.

The traditional Guardian Angel prayer (Lasance, 1911), with “this day” changed to “this night,” as many families say it at bedtime.

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this night be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

The traditional version, from Callan, Blessed Be God (1925). The newer “My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart” comes from the 1974 Rite of Penance and is under copyright, so we only name it here.

O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, 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 confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

Our own prayer, following the five points of St. Ignatius’s General Examen. Finish with the Our Father.

Lord, I thank You for the gifts of this day. Give me light to see my sins and the grace to turn from them. Walk with me back through the hours of today: my thoughts, my words, my actions. I ask Your pardon for my faults. With Your grace, I resolve to do better tomorrow. Amen.

From Lasance, With God (1911). Parents can trace a small cross on each child’s forehead at the last line.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and all the saints, pray for us to Our Lord, that we may be preserved this night from sin and evil. O my good angel, whom God has appointed to be my guardian, watch over me during this night. May Our Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil and bring us to life everlasting. Amen.

Praying for the dead at night is part of the Catholic tradition. The Eternal Rest prayer is traditional and public domain.

Lord, tonight I remember those who have died, especially the ones I love. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

From Charles J. Callan, Blessed Be God (1925). Many Catholics end night prayer with Hail, Holy Queen, too: it’s on our Mother Mary prayers page. Often searched as “roman catholic good night prayer”.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Whose unwearied eye neither slumbers nor sleeps, but continually watches in defense of Thy servants; take me and mine, I beseech Thee, into Thy protection, and grant, that whilst my body is asleep, my soul may be awake to Thee, and that I may hereafter behold Thee in that blessed and heavenly country, where Thou, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, rulest eternally. Amen.

Our own short morning offering, for when you wake up.

Lord Jesus, You kept watch while I slept, and now I wake to a new day. I offer You this day: my prayers, my work, my joys, and my sufferings. Let all of it be for Your glory. Mary, my Mother, walk with me today. Amen.