Postcard History

A few minutes of prayer just before bed is an important part of the day in families of all faiths, creeds, and convictions. An evening prayer, whether it is personal or suggested by tradition, like “Now I lay me down to sleep,” always seems to be a perfect end to any day.

The “Now I lay me” prayer is simple but poignant, in that it serves as a comforting reassessment of the day and provides a sense of safety and security, especially for children as they make their way to “dreamland.”

The Evening Prayer

There are two levels to a bedtime prayer: psychological and spiritual. On the psychological level a prayer at bedtime provides a moment of reflection. As those who pray recite the words, they review their day, thinking of things they did, the thoughts they had, and their experiences with others. These reflections encourage emotional well-being. With the “God bless, mommy, daddy, sister Sue and brother Joe, amen,” ending, children learn to express gratitude to those they love and it helps address their fears. Most children will talk about their days, and it always leads to better understandings.

Bedtime prayers also instill a sense of routine and structure. Much like bedtime stories, bedtime prayers signal the end of the day and prepare the mind and body for rest. Any routine can be comforting, since it provides predictability to those who may feel anxious about what is to come. The repetition of the same prayer each evening also promotes a sense of stability.

The Comfort of Mother’s Touch at Bed Time

Historically, the prayer “Now I lay me down to sleep” can be traced back to the eighteenth century. The earliest known printed version first appeared in the book The New England Primer, published in 1784. The prayer traditionally goes, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”

While the origins of the prayer are somewhat ambiguous, it reflects a period when religion permeated everyday life, and prayers were often recited as a means of seeking protection, particularly during sleep, which was seen as a vulnerable state.

Throughout the years, this prayer has evolved with variations being created to suit different beliefs and cultural contexts. In essence, it maintains the fundamental themes of trust and divine protection. By recognizing inevitable death, the prayer serves as a reminder of the connection between life and faith in a higher power.

Two charming variations are:

In modern times, bedtime prayers—including “Now I lay me down to sleep” and its variations—continue to thrive not only in religious households but also as a cherished practice in secular families. The practice fosters family bonding, as parents and children participate together in an intimate moment before sleep.

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Never in the history of mankind has prayer been more important – thought one clergyman of the eighteenth century – so, he enjoined the Saints with:

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
Bless the bed that I lie on.
To the four corners of my bed,
Please send four angels round my head;
One to watch and one to pray
And two to bear my soul away.

Good night!

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P.S. Bed time prayers aren’t just for children!

AND

There is a M*A*S*H version of this prayer, in Season 2/Episode 21, when Father Mulcahy, recites a childhood bedtime prayer “Now I lay me down to sleep, a bag of peanuts at my feet, if I should die before I wake, give them to my brother Jake.”