Catholic Evening Prayers: Short Prayers to pray at night
A long-standing spiritual practice in the Catholic Church as been to recite prayers at different times throughout the day. One of those important times has been to say an evening or night prayer.
Praying an evening Catholic Prayer is a great way to reflect on your day, and remember the Lord as you close your day. During your prayer time, you can praise God for all the good things that have happened--as well as the bad! God has a plan for your life, and He works even when circumstances are difficult and unpleasant.
Your bedtime prayers can be in your own words or in the words of others as you honor God. Before going to bed, you should seek God for forgiveness for the sins you committed during the day, either in your own words or in the traditional Act of Contrition. In addition, request the protection of your guardian angel.
Another excellent bedtime prayer is The Glory Be, which praises the Holy Trinity--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
It's also a nice habit to say a quick prayer when you wake up; it can be as simple as "Jesus, I love You!" , "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."
You should practice what works best for you. Below are some short Catholic Evening Prayers you can use in your faith Journey. There is also a PDF printable version of the prayers listed at the bottom.
Catholic Evening Prayers
Evening Prayer by St. Augustine
St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) was a North African who was converted from a sinful life through the prayers of his holy mother St. Monica. He became a great bishop, theologian, and preacher. The wall of his room bore the words “Here we do not speak evil of anyone.” His feast day is August 28, and he is the patron of theologians.
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels and saints charge over those who sleep.
Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest Your weary ones.
Bless Your dying ones.
Soothe Your suffering ones.
Pity Your afflicted ones.
Shield Your joyous ones, and all for Your love’s sake. Amen.
Evening Prayer by St. Alphonsus Liguori
St. Alphonsus (1696-1787) founded the Redemptorist order of priests and was a great teacher of moral theology He was the bishop of Saint Agatha, Italy, and zealously reformed his diocese. A prolific writer, he penned about sixty books. He made a vow never to waste time and worked tirelessly for the good of the Church. He died in his 91st year.
My Lord and God Jesus Christ! I adore Thee and give Thee thanks for all the graces which Thou hast granted me today.
I offer up to Thee my rest and every moment of this night, and implore Thee to preserve me from all sin.
Therefore I place myself into the wound of Thy sacred side and beneath the protecting mantle of my Mother Mary.
May Thy holy angels assist me and watch over my peace, and may Thy holy blessing remain with me.
Hear us, Lord (Exaudi Nos, Domine) Evening Prayer
Hear us, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God;
and graciously send Your holy angel from Heaven to watch over, to cherish, to protect, to abide with, and to defend all who dwell in this house.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Visit, We Beg You, O Lord (Visita, Quaesumus, Domine) Evening Prayer
Visit, we beg You, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive from it all snares of the enemy;
let Your holy Angels dwell herein, to keep us in peace; and let Your blessing be always upon us.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Short Evening Aspirations
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.
Catholic Evening Prayers PDF Printable
Download a free, PDF of the listed Catholic Evening Prayers. Download Link.
Other Catholic Prayers and Novenas
How to Pray the Rosary: Illustrative Guide
The Litany of Humility: The Toughest Prayer
How to Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
The 54-Day Rosary Novena: How to Pray
Chaplet of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: How to Pray Guide and PDF
Catholic Prayers to help with Distractions Before Mass
The Rosary Card - Built For Convenience
As you learn to pray, check out our Rosary Cards. You can use them to pray the Chaplet of the Holy Spirit! They are designed for convenience (same size as a Credit Card) and make it much easier to pray more often.
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