Prayer Before Sleeping
Entrusting the night to St. Michael
Night can be when worry and fear grow loudest, so Catholics have long asked Saint Michael the Archangel, defender of God's people, to stand guard as sleep approaches. This prayer surrenders the unfinished business of the day and asks for protection through the dark hours. It closes, as Compline has for centuries, with the words of Christ Himself: 'Into your hands I commend my spirit.'
No ratings yet — be the first
When to Pray This
Pray it each night before you close your eyes, especially on nights when fear, restlessness, or unresolved worry make sleep difficult. It is also a fitting prayer for children learning a bedtime routine, or for anyone recovering from a frightening dream or a hard day.
Benefits of This Prayer
Praying this each night builds the habit of surrendering the day to God rather than carrying its weight into sleep, and it can quiet the low-grade anxiety that often surfaces once the distractions of daytime fall away. Many find it deepens trust that God is watching even while they rest, an unclenching often reinforced by the Prayer for Inner Peace prayed alongside it. Over time, it can also prepare the heart for a peaceful death, since it rehearses each night the final act of trust every soul must one day make.
Bible References
Saint Michael the Archangel
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share a reflection.