A Prayer for Tonight
For the end of today, exactly as it was. Tonight’s psalm, a short prayer, and quiet. Read slowly. There is no hurry in this page.
Psalm 143, for tonight
David, overwhelmed, asks to hear of God's mercy in the morning. Pray it ahead of tomorrow.
1Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
7Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
Read it slowly. Then say it back to God in your own words, with your own life in it.
A prayer for tonight
Lord, this day is finished, and I am bringing it to you exactly as it was: the good in it, the mess in it, and the parts I still do not understand. Thank you for carrying me through it. Forgive what needs forgiving, and heal what needs healing. For everyone I love, be near them tonight in the ways they need and I cannot give. For the worries I keep picking back up, I set them down here and leave them with you. You do not sleep, so I can. Guard my mind, quiet my body, and let me wake up grateful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
That is all a night prayer has to be. No special words, no perfect state of mind. Just the day, handed over, and rest received as the gift it is.
Mind gone blank instead? If the words will not come at all tonight, start smaller: six short steps with words you can borrow. Don’t know what to pray? Start here.
This page, in your pocket, every night
The Scroll and Pray app has a Pray tool built for blank minded nights: a guided prayer in six steps, and a psalm chosen for tonight, the same one you just read. It is free, needs no account, and works offline.
Open the app