Have you ever found yourself putting the kids to bed at the end of a long day, wanting to come up with a great prayer, but just too exhausted to find the words? You know that praying to end the day, thanking God for all that was experienced, asking for rest and a fresh start tomorrow, is an important habit to build in your kids. So start here with these simple childrens bedtime prayer examples!
Children's Bedtime Prayer for Thanks & Blessing
Dear God, we thank you tonight for the good day and for the special way you take care of us all the time. Thank you for the fun times outside and the quiet times inside, and for helping us learn new things every day.
Thank you for creating us special, exactly the way you wanted. Thank you for protecting us throughout the day. Forgive us for the wrong things we do. Thank you for loving us even when we disobey or try to do things our way. Help us to always choose your way, God, because it’s always best. We pray for all the people who don’t know you, and that they will come to understand your love for them, too.
Bless our family and thank you for good times together and apart. Bless our friends and those we love, including our grandparents, our aunts and uncles and cousins. Thank you for our home and a place to sleep and good food to eat. Help us rest well, give us peaceful dreams, and send your angels around our home to protect us throughout the night. Teach us to trust you and to love you more and more. You are good; you are great; and you are faithful, God. And we love you. Good night.
Bedtime Prayer for Kids Care & Protection
Bless us with rest tonight, Jesus, and a good night’s sleep. Forgive us for the things we did today that did not honor you. Thank you for loving us so much and that you know us through and through. We need your help every day, and we thank you for the strength you give and for helping us know that with you, even hard things are possible. Bless our family and our home, and keep us safe through the night. May your angels guard us and watch over us, just like you promised.
You've told us we are just like sheep. And that you lead us and guard us like a shepherd. You know our names, and you make us feel special and loved. When we hurt, you help us feel better. Thank you, Jesus, for your good care and for giving us [mom/dad/parents/foster parents/pastors] to help. Thank you for the Bible, and for teaching us stuff in life that helps us grow. Bless the people in our world, and help them to know you love them, too. Thank you for all the people who help us so much: teachers, doctors, policeman, and fireman—and so many more.
Thank you for your good plan for our lives. Help us to obey you and love you more and more. When we awake in the morning, put a smile on our face and your purpose in our hearts, ready to start a new day. We love you, Jesus. Good night. In Jesus's precious name, Amen.
A Short Prayer of Gratitude
Dear God, thank you for today - for the food, clothes, and family you have given me. Thank you for another day that I get to enjoy all the good that you have planned for me. Help me to sleep well and remember your goodness. Amen.
A Bedtime Prayer for Scary Dreams and Peaceful Sleep
God, Sometimes I have scary dreams that wake me up in the night. You are more powerful than any bad dream. When they come to me, chase them away! Remind me of You, God, and how I sleep in your shadow. The shadow of the Almighty God. There is no one more powerful than you. Your Son, Jesus, died for me so I would have peace. No bad dream can take that away.
Help me to fall asleep quickly, tonight, God, and sleep until the morning. Be my nightlight, forever a spark in the dark, reminding me I am never alone. You are always with me and looking out for me. Be my lullaby, singing me to sleep with reminders of how much You love me… just how I am. You will watch me grow up, and stand guard while I sleep, for all the days You have numbered for me on the earth.
For all the kids who don’t know who you are, who don’t have you as their nightlight or lullaby… who look up at the stars and don’t realize you’ve named every one of them …I pray someone tells them about You. Please let someone love them enough to tell them about you when they are tucking in for the night. I pray for the kids who have lived through real-life bad dreams. Heal their hearts so they can sleep peacefully. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. ~ Meg Bucher
The Lord's Prayer
One of the most popular prayers of all time for children to say at bedtime is known as The Lord's Prayer. This prayer comes from the New Testament in the Gospel books of Matthew and Luke and is Jesus' teaching for how we should prayer. The most well known version used is from the King James Bible.
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,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
For Obedience and Forgiveness
God, help me to obey you and to follow you. I'm sorry for the times I followed my own way today. Thank you for your love.
Child of God Prayer
Lord, help me to keep my eyes on you and to find my confidence in who you say I am. I know that I am a child of God. I know that you have given me your Holy Spirit to guide me. Help me to stand strong in my faith and know that I am loved!
Rebecca Barlow Jordan is an inspirational author, speaker, and passionate follower of Jesus who loves to encourage others heart to heart. She has written 11 books and over 1700 other articles, greeting cards, and other inspirational pieces. Her daily devotional Daily in Your Presence is available for delivery through Crosswalk.com. You can find out more about Rebecca at www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com.
Publication date: October 29, 2015
This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Strength
Prayer for Protection
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
Serenity Prayer
A Birthday Prayer
Sinner’s Prayer
Prayer for Forgiveness
Prayer for Guidance
Intercessory Prayer
Prayer for Peace
Prayer for Faith
Prayer for Love
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