Bedtime Prayer

Psalm

Read an appropriate psalm, out loud if possible. I suggest one of the following psalms:

Reading

Find an appropriate Bible passage, then read it—out loud, if possible—and think about how it relates to you. I suggest the following:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
     you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
     which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
     a light for revelation to the Gentiles
     and for glory to your people Israel.”
—Luke 2:29-32

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
     He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
     “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
     He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
     As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
     When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
     They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
—Luke 24:13-35

Affirmation

Affirm your faith by reciting one of the following historic creeds or a statement of faith of your own choosing or composition.

The Apostles Creed
The Nicene Creed

Prayer

Pray thanksgivings and petitions; asking God for your specific needs as you see them and giving thanks for specific things in your life. You can pray one gargantuan prayer, or a series of small prayers. You can pray the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father), or you can use it as an outline for a prayer of your own.

Address God with praises: “Our Father, who art…”
Submit to God’s will: “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done…”
Ask for your specific physical needs: “Give us this day our daily bread…”
Ask for forgiveness: “Forgive us our debts…”
To the degree that you yourself are willing to forgive others…: “As we forgive our debtors…”
Ask for help with temptations: “Lead us not into temptation…”
And preservation from evil: “Deliver us from evil…”

Collect

End by praying this or a similar prayer:

Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with me to preserve me in peace; and let your blessing be upon me always; through Jesus Christ my Lord. AMEN.

Morning Prayer | Noontime Prayer | Evening Prayer | Bedtime Prayer