A Prayer for Bedtime

For those restless nights, for tired eyes, and for anxious thoughts

Each week, after I write the main post, a few days later, I send an accompanying prayer related to the topic. I am doing in this in part for me: I always am on the hunt for more written prayers. I use written prayers often in my work to pray for larger groups, but I also love written prayers for my personal piety. Sometimes it is nice when I do not have the words to use someone else’s.

The below prayer is in response to my latest post on the three questions I ask my kids before bedtime.

Gracious God, God who is both so huge and so subtle at the same time,

I lie in bed grateful for all that I have: plush, comfortable sheets that envelope me; air that is the optimal temperature thanks to a great HVAC system and enough money to pay the power bill; people who care for me.

Tonight is one of those nights when I know I need sleep, but my mind will not turn off.

Thoughts of what I should have done differently today keep playing: how I should have said something else, how I regret how I responded,…