Nightly Prayer

One day last week I went up to bed, and when I got there I realized that I forgot to hunt down a St. Joseph Novena for my prayer journal. I just didn't have the energy to go back downstairs and find one, so I rummaged through a stack of prayer books I keep by the bedside. I love a good prayer book -- one can last a whole lifetime.

The one I used is a small paperback prayer book that my mother-in-law gave me which was published by the Redemptorist Mission. It has so many wonderful prayers in it.

Anyway, I prayed the St. Joseph prayer and then leafed through the book to see what else I could find. I've done this 50 times or so, but I always find another prayer that I must be in need of, because I always find one I've never noticed before.

I found a lovely Night Prayer. You would think a 45-year-old woman would already have a Night Prayer. I suppose I do -- a whole series of night prayers, but not one Night Prayer. And this one reminds me of the prayer I used to say when I was a child. My children say a different version of it, but I like them memory of the former one.

When I was a child we said Now I lay me down to sleep...if I should die before I wake I pray the Lord my soul to take. My children say Now I lay me down to sleep...may the angels watch me through the night and wake me with the morning light.

At some point in our early parenting days, Doug and I must have decided that "if I should die before I wake" was not right for our children. I can't for the life of me remember why.

Anyway...I love this Night Prayer because it reminds me, just before I "lose consciousness" each day, that the most important thing I can do is atone for my sins and ask God's forgiveness. So, my friend, I share this prayer with you, and maybe you too will find comfort in praying it at night.

Night Prayer

O my God, I thank you for all the gifts and graces of this day.
In particular, I acknowledge your goodness to me this day in...

My God, I am truly sorry for any sin in my life today:
for anything I have done against your will;
for anything you have willed and I have left undone.
In particular I ask your forgiveness for...

My God, I trustingly ask your blessing tonight
upon my family and loved ones;
upon anyone I have ever offended or who has ever offended me;
upon those who have fallen into temptation.
In particular, I ask your blessing upon...

May I awaken tomorrow to know, love
and serve you still another day.
Yet if it be your will to call me from this life tonight,
may I awake to the dawn of eternal happiness with you forever.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Hail Mary....
Amen.