Teaching children to pray is a wonderful way to introduce them to a lifelong conversation with God. Discover simple and meaningful prayers perfect for young hearts to learn and cherish.
It’s much easier to tell our children to say their prayers than to guide them through the process. Praying out loud is a bold expression of faith. Though many of us feel comfortable praying out loud in a group, it’s hard for others to muster the courage to verbalize prayer, even to our children.
Even when we are brave enough, we often let the opportunity to pray with our kids pass by in the rush of the day’s routine. Carving out time to pray with our children blazes a trail for them to cope with life the way God created us to - in conversation with Him.
Deuteronomy 11:20 tells us to “Teach these things to your children. Talk about them when you’re sitting together in your home and when you’re walking together down the road. Make them the last thing you talk about before you go to bed and the first thing you talk about the next morning.” When it seems daunting to break down faith in our children, let us pray to the Lord for strength to pass down His truth in prayer with the little lives He’s entrusted us with on this earth.
Simple Prayers for Children
Mealtime Blessing: "God is great, God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. By His hands, we are fed. Thank you, Lord, for our daily bread. Amen."
Morning Prayer: "Good morning, Lord Jesus, this day is for you. Please bless everything I think, say, and do. Amen."
Bedtime Prayer: "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Keep me safe through the night and wake me with the morning light. Amen."
Prayer for Protection: "Angel of God, my guardian, thank you for helping me. Stay by my side, day and night. Light my way and be my guide. Amen."
Prayer for Peace: "Lord, help me bring peace to others. Where there is hate, help me show love. Where there is hurt, help me forgive. Where there is doubt, give me faith. Where there is sadness, help me bring joy. Amen."
Prayer for Kindness: "Dear God, help me to be kind today. Help me say nice things, be caring, and share your love wherever I go. Amen."
Popular Prayers for Children
The Lord's Prayer: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
A Child's Prayer for Help: "Dear God, please help me to be good today and to do what is right. Help me to listen well and to be kind to others."
Prayer for the Family: "God, bless my family and keep them safe. Help us to love each other and to care for one another just like you care for us."
Thanksgiving Prayer: "Thank you, God, for all your blessings: our food, family, and home. Help us to share what we have with others and to always be thankful."
Evening Prayer: "God, thank you for today. Forgive us for any mistakes and help us to rest well, ready for another day."
10 Children Prayers
Here are 10 prayers tailored for children, perfect for teaching them to communicate with God throughout their day. These prayers cover a range of moments and feelings, helping children express gratitude, seek protection, and find peace.
1. A Prayer for When I Am Thankful
God, thank You for this day! Thank You for the birds and the animals, the flowers and the trees, the lakes and the streams, and the sun that rises and sets over them each day. Thank You for creating everything we see! Thank You for the life we live, and for making each person different. Thank You for Jesus, who died for us so that we can go to heaven one day just for believing in Him. What an amazing God You are! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
2. A Prayer for When I am Sad
God, I am sad. But You are good, and You are there. You listen to me when I cry. I can cry to You and tell You what is wrong. Even when I don’t know what to say, I can just pray, “Help me, God, I’m so sad.” You promise that whatever I am going through, You will be there. Thank You for always loving me, even when I am really sad. Thank You for this day, even though it’s not been the best day. Show me how to cheer up. Help me to be happy. Help me to see and remember all of the good things You have blessed my life with, and dry my tears. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
3. A Prayer for My Friend
God, Thank You for my friend. You tell us that it is not good to be alone, God, and bless us with family and friends all around us. Thank You for giving us people to talk to and laugh with. I pray for my friend today, that they have a good day and a blessed life. They are a blessing to me, God, when I need them the most. Just like Jesus is to me. Help me to be kind like Jesus. To be a good friend to others and spread His love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
4. A Prayer for Help
God, Sometimes I don’t feel like talking about what’s wrong. I just want to be mad or sad or frustrated. I would rather sit by myself. Sometimes, things feel too big for me to figure out. Sometimes, life seems really unfair. I need Your help, God. You are the only One who sees everything and knows everything. You are the only One who knows everything about me. Can You help me to trust You, today? Please teach me how to take what I feel and give it to You to sort out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
5. A Prayer for My Sister
God, Thank You for my sister. You tell us that no family is put together by accident. That the people in our lives are placed there by You. Thank You for making us sisters. Bless us to be friends like only sisters can be, all the days of our lives. Help me to be a good example for her, and to be there for her when she needs my support. Thank You for my sister, God. Bless her today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
6. A Prayer for My Brother
God, Thank You for my brother. The people in our lives are placed there by You. You love all of us like sons and daughters, more than we can understand! Thank You for my brother. He is a very special person in my life. Someone who is fun to be around, but also understands me. Our friendship is very special, and I look up to him very much. Please bless him, Lord. Bless my brother, and keep him safe, today and always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
7. A Prayer for My Grandparents
God, Thank You for my grandparents. I love spending time them. They always make me feel special and are excited to see me. Please bless them to be healthy and strong. Protect them from harm and keep them happy and safe until I see them again. When I miss them, help me to remember all of the fun times we have when we are together. Thank You, God, for my grandparents. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
8. A Prayer for My School
God, please bless my school. Thank You for all of the teachers that work so hard to help us learn. Thank You for recess and lunchtime, when we get to play with our friends. Thank You for providing a place where we can learn more about the world You created for us to live in, and how it works. Please keep my school safe. Protect all of the grown ups and kids that come to school everyday. Protect us from harm, and help us to be kind to each other. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
9. A Prayer for My Mom
God, Thank You for my Mom. She helps me grow into the person You made me to be. Even though I don’t always listen, I love her everyday… all of the time. Just like You love us. She loves me even when I have good days, and when I’m bad. Help me to be obedient, even when she tells me to do something I don’t want to do. Thank You for my mom. Bless her to know how much I love her. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
10. A Prayer for My Dad
God, Thank You for my Dad. He guides me in life by his example and his helping hand. He teaches me how to do things and helps me with my homework. He works hard at his job for our family, and makes me laugh. Thank You so much for my dad. Please bless him, God and let him know how much I love him. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
When it's time to sleep and you want to help your child learn how to pray at bedtime, use our Kids Bedtime Prayers.
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
Short Prayers
The Lord's Prayer
Serenity Prayer
A Birthday Prayer
Sinner’s Prayer
Prayer for Forgiveness
Prayer for Guidance
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