Watch, O Lord
This prayer has been handed down under the name of St. Augustine, the fifth-century bishop of Hippo. It goes through the night shift of the world one by one: the sick, the tired, the dying, the grieving, and even the happy, who need guarding too. It is a good prayer for someone who cannot sleep, because it turns the wakefulness into company for others.
Attributed to St. Augustine, 5th century
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake,
or watch, or weep tonight,
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest your weary ones.
Bless your dying ones.
Soothe your suffering ones.
Pity your afflicted ones.
Shield your joyous ones.
And all for your love’s sake.
Amen.