Catholic Prayers for Night: Before Bed Prayers
Catholic prayers for night: the Angel of God and the Act of Contrition, a short bedtime routine, a prayer of our own, and KJV verses for peaceful sleep.
Two Traditional Catholic Night Prayers
Angel of God
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this night be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
Act of Contrition
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.
Traditional Catholic prayers, widely prayed in the evening and taught to children.
A Catholic Prayer at the End of the Day
Lord Jesus, the day is over and I bring it to You as it is.
Thank You for what was good in it. Forgive me where I fell short in thought, word or deed. What I did not finish, I leave with You. What I could not fix, I trust to Your mercy.
Mary, my Mother, wrap me in your care. Holy angels, keep watch over this house and everyone sleeping in it.
Quiet my mind. Let go of tomorrow's worries until tomorrow. And when I wake, let my first thought be of You. Into Your hands I commend my rest. Amen.
Short Version
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Guard me while sleeping, and let me rest in peace. Amen.
A Simple Bedtime Routine
- Make the Sign of the Cross.
- Thank God for two or three good things from the day.
- Look back over the day honestly and pray the Act of Contrition.
- Pray the Angel of God.
- Say a Hail Mary, or one decade of the Rosary if you have time.
- End with: Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For Children at Bedtime
God, thank You for today. Bless Mom and Dad, my family and my friends. Keep us safe through the night, and may my guardian angel stay close. Good night, Jesus. Amen.
How Catholics Pray at Night
Ending the day in prayer is an old Christian habit. The Church's official evening-to-night prayer, called Compline or Night Prayer, is part of the Liturgy of the Hours and includes a short examination of conscience, a psalm, and the Canticle of Simeon.
Most Catholics at home use something simpler, and the traditional pieces are easy to combine:
- Sign of the Cross to begin.
- Examination of conscience, a quiet look back at the day, asking where you loved well and where you did not.
- Act of Contrition, asking for forgiveness so you can sleep reconciled.
- Angel of God, asking your guardian angel to stay with you through the night.
- A prayer to Mary, such as the Hail Mary or the Hail Holy Queen.
When to pray: right before you get into bed, or earlier in the evening if you tend to fall asleep quickly. Even one minute counts. If you pray with a spouse or children, saying the prayers aloud together turns bedtime into a family habit.
Scripture to Pray With
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 (KJV)
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
Psalm 3:5 (KJV)
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24 (KJV)
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.
Luke 2:29-30 (KJV)
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
Luke 23:46 (KJV)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Catholic prayers before bed?
The most common are the Sign of the Cross, the Act of Contrition, the Angel of God, and a Hail Mary. Many also add "Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit."
What is the Catholic night prayer called?
The Church's formal night prayer is Compline, the last hour of the Liturgy of the Hours. At home, Catholics usually pray a shorter set of traditional prayers.
Why do Catholics pray the Act of Contrition at night?
It is a way of looking back over the day, asking God's forgiveness, and going to sleep at peace with Him.
Can I pray in my own words before bed?
Yes. Traditional prayers give structure, but a few honest words of thanks and trust are a real prayer too.
Last updated 2026-10-19