I have a Nikon D40 with a 18-55mm lens and I have tried changing my settings so that I am able to take a nighttime photo but the camera won't even take a picture period and I was wondering if it was because the object is further then 55mm and I need to get a stronger lens or if there is a specific lens for nighttime shots. Although I have been able to take photos about the same distance as the one I want to take during the day. Would greatly appreciate any help or recommendations on a type of lens to get.

Is the picture coming out black? It could be the flash, you may want to investigate getting a scoop flash, they are much stronger.

It really doesn't have much to do with the lens (if the subject is viewable in the lens), it's about the light. The in-camera flash has a limited exposure distance. A stronger flash would help, but you don't mention what kind of night shots you are taking. Fireworks take a longer exposure time, but without a flash, for a reasonable picture.

Try a longer shutter speed and place camera on a tripod when you take the shot. Using the self timer can help also.

I use 800 or 1000 speed film instead of the 200 or 400 near available light and N0 flash.
Also go with the longer exposure time.

If you aren't able to get the camera to take a photo at all, it's probably because the camera is not able to find a focus point. This happens easily in low light situations. Does the camera have a focus assist light? Usually this is a red lamp that lights briefly before the shutter fires. Make sure this lamp is enabled. Also, turn your ISO up to 800, 1600 or even 3200 (just be ready for a grainy shot). If you are still having trouble, you may need to try focusing manually.

Although Roadstar1 is right about the flash, the lens actually does make a very big difference in your success with low light shots. What is the f# of your lens? Usually you can find this by looking on the very front of the lens. After saying 18-55mm it will say something like 1:4. If that's what it says, your maximum f-stop is 4.0.

For nighttime shots, you will struggle with lenses that have maximum apertures of 4.0, for example. Lenses that go down to a 2.8 f-stop (or lower) will be much better in low light situations. Just a quick primer: the f-stop relates to the size of the aperture (shutter opening) when you take a shot. The smaller the number, the larger the aperture, which allows more light to pass through to the camera sensor. An f-stop of 22 lets in dramatically less light than an f-stop of 2.8. Lenses that have lower numbered apertures are considered "faster" lenses and optimal for low light conditions. That being said, they are also far more expensive.

Good luck!