Question

As-salamu Alaikum to you!

1. Is there any part of the Holy Qur’an that states that Allah (SWT) comes down/ descends to hear/answer our prayers at night (e.g during the 3rd part of the night)?. For example if i wake up at night to (perform to raka'ats) -pray for forgiveness or a need from Allah (SWT). 

2. Also during the recitation of the holy Qur’an do I need to begin with Bismillah at the beginning of each surah after I’ve recited A ootho Billahi Minashaytani rajim...Bismillahi-Rahmanir-Rahim?

May Allah the Al-Mighty forgive us and guides us all onto the straight path.
Ma as-salaam

Answer

Wa alaikum assalaam wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatuh.

1.  This is not from the Qur’an but from an authentic hadeeth qudsi.  A translation of the hadeeth is: On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him),  said that the Messenger of Allah () said: Our Lord (glorified and exalted be He) descends each night to the earth's sky when there remains the final third of the night, and He says: Who is saying a prayer to Me that I may answer it? Who is asking something of Me that I may give it him? Who is asking forgiveness of Me that I may forgive him?
It was related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim, Malik, at-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud). In a version by Muslim the Hadeeth ends with the words: And thus He continues till [the light of] dawn shines.

2.  When we are starting at the beginning of a surah, it is required to say the basmalah ( after the isti’aathah  ( ) . An exception is surah At-Tawbah, in which we do not start with the basmalah when beginning the surah.  When we start reciting or reading from the middle of a surah, we have the option to say the basmalah or not, and this includes surah At-Tawbah.

Ameen to your dua’.

Wa assalaam alaikum wa rahmatu Allah