Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

On my bed I remember you;

  I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help,

  I sing in the shadow of your wings.

  (Psalm 63:6-7)

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

It's the end of the day, and I'm going to bed, O God.
And since I was a little boy, I have prayed this prayer:
"Now I lay me down to sleep,
  I pray the Lord my soul to keep..."

As I put my head on my pillow and close my eyes,
  I entrust myself into your loving care.

But God, I must admit, I'm not a fan of the next line:
"If I die before I wake,
  I pray the Lord my soul to take."
And yet, if that be your will, so be it.
I entrust myself into your loving care.

How about we agree on this one, O God:
"May He watch me through the night,
  and wake me with the morning light."
Watch over me while I sleep:
  guard my dreams;
    give me rest;
      renew my spirit;
        protect me from danger.
And awaken me tomorrow:
  excited about the new day;
    grateful for the opportunity to love you
    with all my being, and loving my neighbor
    as myself;
      filled with energy, intelligence, and imagination
      of the endless possibilities you have for me.

Now I lay me down to sleep.
  See you in the morning, Lord.

P.S. after posting this prayer, my mother sent me another alternative line to pray: “When in the morning light I wake, I pray the path of love I take.”