Whatever your religious beliefs, you may be thinking about starting a prayer practice for yourself or your child. Prayer offers several advantages for children, many of which have been scientifically verified. These advantages apply regardless of how you pray. If you’re beginning on this path with your child, bedtime prayers are a terrific place to start. It’s at the end of the day when there are no to-dos in front of you, and you have the entire day’s thoughts and feelings to digest. Here are some of the reasons why bedtime prayers are useful for young children.
Prayer may take many forms. It might be connecting or opening your palms. Or a hunched back or closed eyelids. It might be a lengthy ceremony or a series of actions. We may pray to express our thanks or to make a request. Our prayers might be for ourselves or others. Whatever it is, prayer is a link we have with the Divine, and it is frequently a source of peace in stressful situations.
From the time their children are toddlers, their parents begin reciting bedtime prayers to them. Reading is indeed a healthy habit, but you might also consider teaching your child to say a prayer before going to bed.
If you and your partner are religious and pray, you may want to include children’s evening prayers. These prayers give a chance for children to spend some quiet time before bedtime.
Popular and Short Bedtime Prayers
Some famous short bedtime prayers are given below. You can read them to your children and have them repeat them after you!
Thank You, God!
This prayer is written in the style of a rhyme, making it easy for youngsters to memorize. It’s also straightforward to understand. This prayer expresses gratitude to God for everything that he has supplied. It goes like this:
“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!”
When I See the Moon
This is an old prayer that expresses gratitude to God for his benevolence.
“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.”
Counting My Blessings
This prayer is a gratitude list. You can use it to let your child count all the blessings showered upon them, thus making him feel grateful.
“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!“
The Lord’s Prayer
This is a simple bedtime prayer to remember God, thank him, and ask for blessings.
“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.“
God My Friend
This poem is slightly lengthier than the others. Still, it serves to portray God as a friend and constant companion who will constantly guide and protect.
“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.”
Child’s Evening Prayer
This prayer expresses how a child senses God’s presence without seeing him and how he relies on him for protection day and night.
“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.“
Now the light has gone away
It is a short prayer emphasizing the value of life and family.
“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.“
Hi, It’s Me!
In a few lines, this simple poem encapsulates all of the advantages of prayer. Due to the thin short lines, this is simple to learn.
“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.”
Dear God
This is a prayer for young school-age children and a kid who has had a rough day or feels sad or worried.
This is a prayer for young school-age children and a kid who has had a rough day or feels sad or worried.
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.”
Help Me Feel Safe in the Dark
This is an excellent prayer for children who are afraid of the dark or who have recently moved to a larger bed of their own. The prayer reassures them that they do not need to be concerned since God constantly watches over them.
“Dear God,
When the lights go out, and Mom and Dad say goodnight,
I sometimes feel worried; it gives me a lil’ fright!
I know I am safe, but the room feels scary,
As I toss and turn, feeling a lil’ wary.
Help me feel safe, help me to see
That even in the dark, you are here with me.
Help me fall asleep and sleep the whole night through
Knowing you’ll always love me, as I love you.”
Angels Bless
This prayer is a plea to the angels to look after your child.
“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.”
God, Grant Me the Serenity
This prayer, written for somewhat older children, requests God for peace, wisdom, and bravery.
“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.”
Forgive, O Lord!
It is a simple and short prayer to ask for forgiveness from God.
“Forgive, O Lord,
Forgive, O Lord, for Thy dear Son.
The ill that I this day have done,
That with the world, myself, and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.“
The Benefits of Reciting Bedtime Prayers for Kids
Relieve anxiety: Devoting some time to pray before going to bed helps kids sleep better. Saying a bedtime prayer improves calm and reduces stress by assisting youngsters to recall happy memories.
Pull parents and children closer together: A family that prays together stays together. When parents and children pray together, they form a deep link that allows them to be open and honest with one another. Both parents and children will have a better opportunity to connect if they know what they are upset or grateful for.
Promote giving respect: Prayer teaches youngsters that there is a superior force above all of us that we must respect. This teaches accountability as well because kids will be aware that God is observing their every move.
Health Benefits: Praying provides bodily advantages in addition to emotional and mental benefits. Praying, like meditation, has comparable advantages in that it helps relax the nervous system, reduces aggression, lowers blood pressure, and enhances immunity. According to research, prayer to a specific power offers more advantages than generic, non-praying meditation.
Generate positive vibes: By reminding your children of all the good things in their lives via bedtime prayer, you can help them sleep with a peaceful and optimistic attitude. This can help people think more optimistically and see things in a good light.
Praying increases one’s faith in God. Praying before sleep is the best approach for parents to instill and retain their child’s trust in God. Even if youngsters cannot frequent places of worship due to school and homework, they maintain a relationship with God. Having a set time for prayer creates a habit that is likely to last into adulthood.
Now that you understand the significance of bedtime prayers, particularly for children, consider some of the tips you may use while delivering bedtime prayers to your children.
Tips to Follow While Delivering Bedtime Prayers to Children
1. You are Your Child’s Most Influential Role Model
It turns out that children may mimic our poor behavior. The good news is that children may model positive behavior too. Since you’re the most visible and influential role model your children have, seeing you pray with them regularly can help to de-mystify the act of praying for your children. It will go a long way toward helping them develop it as a habit in their own life.
2. The Duration of the Prayer they Offer Doesn’t Matter.
Parents must remember that their children will not be able to pray for an extended period. It is sufficient if your kid prays wholeheartedly for a minute or two. Do not emphasize increasing the time of the prayer since this may cause them to lose interest.
3. Be Encouraging
Remind them that we can bring anything to God and that no request is too minor or trivial for God. Prayers are pretty personal, and a child’s anxieties and concerns alter as they grow older. Encourage your child to communicate to God about anything that is bothering them.
#4. Making Prayers Relevant to the Lives of Children Allows them to Grow in their Praying
Since children have a strong predisposition to perceive the world in terms of me, my, and mine, take advantage of this very natural period of development by centering prayer on children’s daily concerns. Many parents, for example, make the error of asking young children to pray for church missionaries. Chances are, children have no idea what they’re asking God for. As a result, God gets further distant. A better suggestion would be to direct children’s prayer requests toward healing Jagger’s chickenpox, thanking Jasmine’s furry friend, or asking for assistance for Bobby.
Conclusion
Making your child say a bedtime prayer every night can allow you to bond with them. You may also talk to your child about the things bothering them and offer a solution to their problem. After the prayer session, teach your child principles such as compassion and truthfulness. A nightly prayer routine will also assist your youngster in calming down and sleeping well. So, teach your child these night prayers, and you will raise a happy child.
Hey there, Martha here, a full-time mom of two, currently trying to bring a small impact in everyone’s life whom I can reach through The Queen Momma. I usually write on topics related to parenting, pregnancy and motherhood. Having gone through a few rocky relationships myself, I consider myself somewhat of an “expert” on topics related to dating and relationships.
I formerly worked at Special Needs Network Inc and BrightStar Care of Beverly Hills as a head manager. I have a passion for assisting organizations and individuals in achieving their objectives and have had the opportunity to do so throughout my professional career. At present, writing for The Queen Momma is a great addition to my professional career.