When you think of prayers before bed, you probably picture a young child kneeling by their bedside, asking the Lord to keep them safe as they drift off to a night of deep sleep. While it’s true that prayers before bed are said by children, that doesn’t mean they’re strictly limited to the kiddos. Adults can and should pray before bed, too, and we’re going to show you why.
Not only does saying a prayer before sleeping improve your spiritual health, but it also allows you a unique opportunity to connect with God and talk about your day. There are several reasons why you should adopt prayer into your bedtime routine, so let’s get started! Here’s why prayer before bed is great for adults, too.
A Bedtime Ritual
Having a bedtime ritual is just as important for you as it is for the kids. A ritual helps your body and mind fall into a natural rhythm, which can actually make sleep come to you quickly and be more satisfying. If you’ve ever had a poor night’s sleep, you know just how much it can impact you the next day. You’re groggy, tired, unfocused, and your bed is constantly beckoning to you to hop in and take the day off. Even that hard wooden desk starts to look comfortable after long enough!
It’s crucial to your sleep hygiene that you create a ritual. This means doing the same thing(s) before bed each night, so as to train the mind and body to be ready for sleep at a certain time. This means setting a strict bedtime for yourself, as well. Don’t stay up too late when you have to get up early. The average adult needs anywhere from 6-8 hours of sleep per night. How many did you get last night?
Prayer can fit right into your sleep routine. Pray after you brush your teeth or just before you climb into bed. You can even pray in bed if you prefer. There are no hard and fast rules for how you pray; as long as you’re getting that spiritual time in before bed, you’re on the right track.
Protection and Safety
Surely, you remember the prayer that goes, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…”? This prayer, most often recited by children, asks the Lord for protection during the darkest watches of the night. It invokes the Lord’s goodwill to deliver their souls into his keeping should some danger occur during their rest. But don’t make the mistake of thinking prayer is limited to children. This, and other protection prayers, can be for adults, too.
The unfortunate truth about our world is that it’s not entirely safe. Things can happen in an instant, and even with safety concerns aside, a heart attack, stroke, or other sudden medical complications can occur while you’re sleeping. The house can catch fire. Someone breaks in. There are a million things that can happen during the night that could put you at risk.
Ask God for safety before you go to sleep to put your mind at ease. If something occurs during the night, ask that He safely deliver you into His kingdom.
Gratitude
What would a humble follower be without gratitude for his Lord? We have so many blessings on a daily basis that it’s nearly impossible to count them all, but we can give thanks. This is easy, and you can do it right before bedtime with a simple prayer. You don’t have to say special prayers, recite Bible verses or anything of the sort. You can simply say something like:
Dear Lord, thank you for all of the kind blessings you’ve bestowed on me today. I thank you for keeping me safe, healthy, and secure in my home and for keeping my family together. Amen.
The Lord doesn’t require specific prayers to understand what you mean. He knows! You just have to say something to Him.
A Better Night’s Sleep
As adults in the modern world, we’re subjected to more stress, anxiety, and complications than ever before. We live in a fast-paced world where things are always changing, and there’s always another challenge for us to conquer waiting just around the bend.
Stress is a major contributor to lack of sleep, and the fact is, Americans generally aren’t getting enough sleep as it is. It’s estimated that about 1 in 3 adults don’t sleep well or get enough sleep!
Prayer before bed can help address the stress of the day. Not only do you get access to a burden-free and non-judgmental outlet through God, but you can also be entirely honest with Him and yourself. Being honest can feel like you’re lifting a huge weight off of your shoulders, and you’ll likely sleep better for it. We all suffer from stress, but we don’t have to suffer alone.
The Bottom Line
If you’re not praying before bed, it’s time to start! There are simply too many benefits that you’re missing out on if you’re not practicing this important spiritual duty. God wants to hear from you! Are you talking to Him?
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.