Night prayer

Lord, the day is over and I come to you before I sleep. Thank you for sustaining me this far: for the bread, for the work, for the people, for the small reliefs I barely noticed.

I hand over to you what was left unfinished. The conversations that did not happen, the tasks I did not complete, the worries still lit. I cannot solve them now, and you do not ask me to. Keep them for tonight.

Forgive me for what I did wrong today — for hard words, for impatience, for what I failed to do. Renew my heart while I sleep, so that tomorrow I begin lighter.

Watch over my loved ones while they sleep. Keep the house, the street, the city. Remember those who will not sleep tonight: those at work, those in the hospital, those who weep, those who are afraid.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone make me dwell in safety. Amen.