The God Squad: Last list of bedtime prayers

Rabbi Marc Gellman, Tribune Content Agency on Jun 1, 2023

The line I highlighted is what was missing, although I confess I enjoyed your version of "whahoo schooby dooby do". Thank you for your wonderful God Squad articles! -- (From E)

Not long ago, I discovered a bedtime prayer for grown-ups. It's used in the Episcopal Compline service (or night prayer), but is attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo. It refers to "Lord Christ", but I would think that non-Christians could simply say "Lord God", and it would still be compatible with most faiths. Here it is:

"KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD, WITH THOSE WHO WORK, OR WATCH, OR WEEP THIS NIGHT, AND GIVE YOUR ANGELS CHARGE OF THOSE WHO SLEEP. TEND THE SICK, LORD CHRIST, GIVE REST TO THE WEARY, BLESS THE DYING, SOOTHE THE SUFFERING, PITY THE AFFLICTED, SHIELD THE JOYOUS, AND ALL FOR YOUR LOVE'S SAKE. AMEN."

As someone who has nursed my entire family through their terminal illnesses (I'm now the last one left), I have seen my share of difficult nocturnal struggles. In the silent watches of the night, it's easy to feel alone, and this prayer reminds me that God never clocks out, and we are never truly alone. All the best, always, Rabbi. Thanks for all you do. In peace. -- (From C)

I know I'm getting into this conversation late, but I remembered that someone gave me a different version of "NOW I LAY ME..." IT WENT "NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP, I PRAY THE LORD MY SOUL TO KEEP. GUIDE ME SAFELY THROUGH THE NIGHT, WAKE ME WITH THE MORNING LIGHT."

It seemed a kinder and gentler way to say that prayer. -- (From S and many others, a prayer that fixes “Now I lay me down to sleep…”)

The prayer I say now which I find comforting and which gives me a feeling of hope. “PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW, PRAISE HIM ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW, PRAISE HIM ABOVE YE HEAVENLY HOST, PRAISE FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST.” -- (From M)

Back in the '50s, growing up on First Street, we said "now I lay me down to sleep" followed by God bless (names). With four kids it took a while. My Mom had to leave the room and left Dad to finish with my brother. He blessed a whole lot of neighbors and my Dad finally said, "Are we about finished up here?" to which my brother replied, "No, I am only on Second Street." My Mom loved telling this story. She lived to be 96. -- (From H in West Palm Beach, FL)

(Send ALL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS to The God Squad via email at godsquadquestion@aol.com. Rabbi Gellman is the author of several books, including “Religion for Dummies,” co-written with Fr. Tom Hartman. Also, the new God Squad podcast is now available.)