For centuries, the Church has treasured the tradition of Night Prayer (or Compline). Whether it is the formal Liturgy of the Hours chanted in monasteries or a simple “Jesus, I love You” whispered by a child, Catholic night prayers are a powerful way to surrender our worries, ask for protection, and prepare our souls for rest.
Whether you have thirty minutes or just thirty seconds, these traditional prayers will help you close your day with the peace of Christ.
I. Essential Catholic Night Prayers
If you are building a habit of prayer before bed, these are the foundational devotions. They cover the essential acts of the Christian life: gratitude, contrition, and trust.
1. The Sign of the Cross
The simplest and most profound way to begin and end your day. It places your rest under the seal of the Trinity.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. The Guardian Angel Prayer (Angel of God)
While often taught to children, this prayer is deeply meaningful for adults. It acknowledges that we are never truly alone in the dark; our Guardian Angel stands watch beside us, always.
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.
3. Act of Contrition
It is a good practice to clear the conscience before sleeping, ensuring that we do not carry the burden of sin into our rest.
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 confess my sins, do penance, and amend my life. Amen.
4. Short Acceptance of Sleep (St. Alphonsus Liguori)
St. Alphonsus, a doctor of the Church, recommends offering our sleep as an act of love.
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 beg of You to keep me without sin. Therefore, I put myself within Your sacred side and under the mantle of our Lady, my Mother.
Let Your holy angels stand about me and keep me in peace; and let Your blessing be upon me. Amen.
II. Prayers from the Divine Office (Compline)
The Liturgy of the Hours is the official public prayer of the Church. The final hour of the day is called “Night Prayer” or Compline. These beautiful ancient texts are specifically designed to prepare the soul for the “little death” of sleep.
5. Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis)
Taken from the Gospel of Luke, these are the words Simeon spoke when he finally held the Christ Child. It is the perfect prayer for letting go of the day.
Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace,
Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
6. Protect Us, Lord (Antiphon)
This short invocation is often prayed immediately before going to sleep.
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.
7. Into Your Hands (Responsory)
These were the last words of Jesus on the Cross. We repeat them to entrust our souls to the Father during the unconsciousness of sleep.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
R. I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
8. Te Lucis Ante Terminum (Hymn)
An ancient hymn attributed to St. Ambrose, asking for protection against bad dreams and spiritual attacks.
To You, before the close of day, Creator of the world, we pray
That with Your wonted favor Thou
Wouldst be our Guard and Keeper now.
From all ill dreams defend our eyes,
From nightly fears and fantasies;
Tread under foot our ghostly foe,
That no pollution we may know.
O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.
III. Prayers for Protection and Peaceful Sleep
Nighttime can sometimes bring anxiety, insomnia, or fear. These prayers invoke God’s power to protect the home and calm the mind.
Struggling with Anxiety? Turn to St. Dymphna through nightly prayers or her Novena.
9. Prayer for Protection of the Home (Visita Quaesumus)
This powerful prayer asks God to drive away spiritual enemies from the dwelling.
Visit, we beg You, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive from it all snares of the enemy. Let Your holy Angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace; and let Your blessing be always upon us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
10. Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael is the defender of the Church and a powerful intercessor against nightmares and spiritual warfare.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
11. Prayer Against Bad Dreams & Insomnia
Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace. I ask You to wash over my mind and my imagination with Your Precious Blood. Silence the noises of the day and the anxieties of tomorrow.
I rebuke any nightmares or disturbing thoughts in Your Holy Name. Grant me quiet sleep and a perfect end, so that I may wake refreshed to serve You. Amen.
IV. Marian Night Prayers
The Church has always ended the day by turning to the Blessed Virgin Mary. As our Mother, she watches over us while we are helpless in sleep.
12. Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
Traditionally sung or recited at the very end of Night Prayer.
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Want to Go Deeper? Learn more about the Hail Holy Queen prayer
13. The Three Hail Marys
A simple devotion revealed by St. Mechtilde and St. Gertrude. Pray three Hail Marys in honor of the Power, Wisdom, and Mercy of the Trinity, asking specifically for a holy death and purity of heart.
(Pray 3 Hail Marys, repeating the following invocation after each)
By thy pure and immaculate conception, Oh, Mary! make my body pure, and my soul holy. O Mary, my Mother, preserve me this night from mortal sin.
Want to Go Deeper? Grow in your love of Mary with the Seven Sorrows Devotion.
V. Prayers for Families and Children
Teaching children to pray at night builds a foundation of faith that lasts a lifetime.
14. Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (Catholic Version)
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. And this I ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
15. Parental Blessing (Numbers 6:24-26)
Parents have the spiritual authority to bless their children. You can trace the sign of the cross on your child’s forehead while saying:
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift the light of His countenance unto you and give you His peace. Amen.
May God bless you, and the Virgin protect you.
VI. The Daily Examen: A 5-Step Guide
St. Ignatius of Loyola taught that the most important moment of the day is the “Examen“—a brief review of the day with God. It isn’t just a list of sins; it is a way to see where God was present in your life.
- Place yourself in God’s presence. Take a few moments and consciously acknowledge that God is with you now.
- Give thanks. Review the day and identify 2 or 3 specific gifts God gave you today (a good conversation, a safe drive, a delicious meal).
- Review the day. Play back the day in your mind like a movie. Where did you feel joy? Where did you feel anger or sadness?
- Repent. If you notice moments where you turned away from God or acted without love, ask for His forgiveness.
- Look forward. Look at tomorrow. Ask for the grace to handle the challenges you know are coming.
Conclude with an “Our Father.”
Preparing for Confession? Read our full Examination of Conscience for Adults
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to pray at night?
Night prayer serves two purposes: it sanctifies our sleep, turning our rest into an act of trust, and it allows us to examine our conscience so we don’t carry spiritual baggage into the next day.
What is the “Divine Office” or “Liturgy of the Hours”?
This is the universal prayer of the Church, prayed by all priests and religious (and many laypeople) at specific times of the day. The night section is called Compline.
What if I fall asleep while praying?
Don’t worry! St. Thérèse of Lisieux famously said, “Little children fall asleep in their father’s arms.” If you fall asleep praying, you are resting in the arms of God.
Can I pray the Rosary at night?
Yes. Many Catholics find the rhythm of the Rosary to be very soothing before bed. It is a wonderful way to meditate on the life of Christ before drifting off to sleep.
Conclusion
Sleep is a daily reminder of our limits—we cannot work forever; we must stop and rest. By adding prayer to your nightly routine, you invite the Infinite God into your finite rest.
Whether you choose the formal prayers of the Church, like Compline, or the simple trust of the Guardian Angel prayer, the goal is the same: to end the day with Him and in His peace.
May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.
