Bedtime Prayers for Kids – Praying is a simple way to connect to God and we can instil this habit early on in life by teaching some simple prayers to kids. Here are some popular and simple bedtime prayers for children which they can learn as early as they start speaking.
How to teach bedtime prayers to kids
In the beginning, children may feel bored when you tell them to pray everyday, it is best for parents to pray along with them. Later, when it becomes a part of their routine and signals the end of the day, they can do it independently.
Just forcing them to repeat the words will not really help. Talk to them about what the prayer means and why we are thankful to God for His blessings. You can even let them talk to God in their own words which helps them connect to God better. They can share their day with God too.
benefits of Bedtime Prayers for Kids
bedtime Prayers help kids calm down
Even though we do not often realise it, but children’s life can be stressful. Bedtime prayers help kids to wind down and leave the stress of the day out before going to bed.
bedtime prayers help kids learn gratitude
Bedtime prayers help children learn thankfulness and gratitude. Most of the bedtimes prayers for kids teach them to thank God for His blessings and be grateful for everything around us
bedtime prayers help kids sleep better
It has been proven by research that bedtime prayers can make children calmer and help them have a better dreamless sleep.
Bedtime Prayers help kids be less materialistic
Bedtime prayers and praying in general teaches kids to be thankful for what we have and thus help them be less materialistic.
Bedtime prayers makes kids more kind and compassionate
Bedtime prayers teaches children to be more kind to others and grow as a society.
Bedtime Prayers for kids also instil discipline
Praying everyday builds discipline and encourages them to follow a routine.
Bedtime prayers to teach toddlers and preschoolers
1) Now I lay me down to sleep
Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should live another day
I pray the Lord to guide my way. Amen.
2) Thank you God
Thank you God for the world so sweet,
Thank you God for the food we eat,
Thank you, God for the birds that sing,
Thank you, God, for everything!”
3) Hi, It’s Me!
“Hi, it’s me, just come to pray
And thank you for a fun-filled day!
You’ve been with me, so I know you’ve seen
All the great exciting things.
But also when I’m sad or cross
I know you love me, no matter what!
So help me rest and go to sleep
And feel the peace of your love for me.”
4) God, Grant Me the Serenity
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.”
5) Lord in Heaven
“Lord in heaven, hear my prayer,
Keep me in your loving care.
Be my guide in all I do.
Bless all those who love me, too.”
6) When I See the Moon
“When I see the moon in the night sky,
I speak my evening prayer;
Praise be to the being of life,
For his kindness and his goodness.”
7) The Lord’s Prayer
Father in heaven, Your Name is holy.
Please bring Your kingdom close to me.
May I love and obey You, God so true,
Just like the angels in heaven do.
Give me food to eat every day.
And forgive all of my sins, I pray.
I’ll forgive others in the same way.
From bad things, please keep me away.
For the kingdom belongs to You,
The power and glory also do.
Amen.
8) Heavenly Father
Heavenly Father, up above
Please bless this child that I love.
Let her sleep all through the night
And may her dreams be pure delight.
When she wakes, be by her side
So she can feel your love inside.
As she grows, please don’t let go
So she will know you hold her soul.
Amen
9) Counting My Blessings
I count my blessings, God, 1-2-3-4,
Mommy, Daddy, friends, and more.
With my warm, snuggly bed and my cuddly, brown bear,
I might be the luckiest kid anywhere!
10) Lord in Heaven
“Lord in heaven, hear my prayer,
Keep me in your loving care.
Be my guide in all I do.
Bless all those who love me, too.”
Bedtime prayers to teach older kids
11) God, my friend
God, my friend, it is time for bed.
Time to rest my sleepy head.
I pray to you before I do.
Please guide me down the path that’s true.
God, my friend, please bless my mother,
All your children–sisters, brothers.
Oh! And then there’s daddy, too–
He says I am his gift from you.
God, my friend, it is time to sleep.
I thank you for a soul unique,
And thank you for another day,
To run and jump and laugh and play!
God, my friend, it is time to go,
But before I do I hope you know,
I am thankful for my blessing, too,
And God, my friend, I love you.
12) Angels Bless
“Angels bless, and angels keep
Angels guard me while I sleep
Bless my heart and bless my home
Bless my spirit as I roam
Guide and guard me through the night
and wake me with the morning’s light.”
13) Now the light has gone away
“Now the light has gone away, Savior, listen while I pray.
Asking Thee to watch and keep and to send me quiet sleep.
Jesus, Savior, wash away all that has been wrong today.
Help me every day to be good and gentle, more like Thee.
Let my near and dear ones be always near and dear to Thee.
Oh bring me and all I love to Thy happy home above.“
14) thank you for this day
“Dear God, thank you for this day
Thank you for providing food, a home, and a warm bed.
Thank you for the love people showed me.
Please guide me as I prepare to head to bed and start the day again tomorrow.
Please guide my thoughts and actions. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.“
15) Holy Lord
“Holy Lord, Thank you for grace.
Please help me move beyond the hurdles that trip me up,
And give me the strength and wisdom to look up and see the hope,
I run toward in Christ.
In Jesus’ name, Amen“
16) God is near
“I hear no voice, I feel no touch,
I see no glory bright;
But yet I know that God is near,
In darkness as in light,
He watches ever by my side,
And hears my whispered prayer,
The Father for His little child,
Both night and day doth care.“
17) Savior, lay Thy hand on me
“Savior, lay Thy hand on me,
Bless me, and remember me. Amen.
Oh Lord, support us all the day long,
Until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes,
And the busy world is hushed.
Then in Thy mercy grant us a safe lodging,
And a holy rest and peace at the last, Amen.
Ah dearest Jesus, Holy Child,
Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be,
A quiet chamber kept for thee.“
18) Prayer to God, My Help
God, my Help, my Strength, my Song,
You cared for me all day long.
You teach me how to do what’s right.
You even teach me in the night.
You help me know which way to go.
The path of life to me You show.
In Your love my home I make.
I will not fear. I will not shake.
In the name of Jesus, Holy One,
Hold me close till the rising sun.
Amen.
19) Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
20) Dear God
“Dear God,
I’ve felt a bit sad today.
Sometimes people say things that upset me.
Sometimes I feel lonely at school.
Sometimes I feel misunderstood by my mum and dad.
Sometimes my feelings are all mixed up inside.
Please make me feel better.
Please make me sleep with good dreams.
Please make a happier day tomorrow.”
