Between nighttime feedings, endless diaper changes, and the multitude of blessed responsibilities demanded by a new baby, bedtime prayers may not be at the top of a parent’s list at the end of the day. However, there are beautiful benefits to bedtime prayers for your new little bundle. Not only will these prayers become a natural part of your bedtime routine, they will hopefully instill a heart of prayer into your child as they grow. So, as you marvel over your sweet new baby, thanking God for every sweet sigh, here are 10 of the best bedtime prayers you can pray.
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I think it’s safe to say that the prayer of every Christian parent is for their children to grow up loving the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. This bedtime prayer can be a covering prayer that is prayed over them every day of their life. Ultimately, the hope is that they will not only come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, they will know, love, and serve Him all of their days.
Pray for your new baby’s future decision in Christ. Make it your number one prayer, following the first and greatest commandment found in Matthew 22:
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)
Lord, as I lay my little one down to sleep, I pray with all of my heart that they will one day come to know You and receive You unto salvation. Please pursue them every day of their life, speaking Your truth into their heart. Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity to raise this child in Your love and admonition. I pray for faithfulness to share with them the Gospel and give them every opportunity to receive you unto salvation. In Jesus name, amen.
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Dear Lord, I need sleep! Perhaps, this petition has been your number one bedtime prayer lately. If so, you are not alone! Sleep deprivation can take its toll on even the most seasoned, scheduled parent on the planet.
It’s more than okay to pray for peaceful rest for little one and yourself. Though there may be tough nights and even tougher mornings, God will supply the strength you need. Hang in there!
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:24 NKJV)
Heavenly Father, thank You for the comfort of knowing that You provide perfect rest for those who trust in You. Lord, I ask that you help my baby to relax and sleep well tonight. I pray that you will settle them and guard them in perfect peace. Thank You, Father, for being my strength during these sleep-deprived days. I rely fully on You to uphold me and my family. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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God may not promise us safety from every harmful thing in life, but He does promise to be a shelter. There is divine assurance for us as parents that He loves our children far more than we ever could. He does not slumber or sleep. As you pray this bedtime prayer, you can know that your Heavenly Father is watching over your little one.
“For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.” (Psalm 61:3-4)
Holy God, You are perfect in righteousness and just in all of Your ways. I put my complete trust in You as I place my baby in Your hands and ask for divine protection. Lord, please keep my baby safe from physical, emotional, and spiritual harm. Thank You for being a shelter for us. We take great comfort in the shelter of Your wings. In Jesus name, amen.
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There is a perfect reason why the book of Proverbs tells us that wisdom is the principal thing. By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established. (Proverbs 24:3)
Each night, as you lay your new baby down to sleep, pray for God’s wisdom. Without it, parenting becomes a lot more difficult, if not impossible, to navigate. We need all the help we can get to raise our bundles of joy unto the Lord.
“Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you.” (Proverbs 4:5-6)
Lord, above all other parenting advice, I ask for Your wisdom. I know that You are the source of all understanding and I desperately need Your wisdom as I parent this baby. Thank You, Lord, for promising to give me wisdom when I ask for it. I believe You will give it in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
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Guidance from the Holy Spirit will outshine and outlast any well-meaning advice the world has to offer. The Bible encourages us to remain in-step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25), and by doing so, we can be assured that He is the One guiding us.
Pray for God’s guidance as you make decisions regarding your baby, and that His will be done. You can fully trust in the Lord’s good, pleasing, and perfect will.
“When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13 NKJV)
Thank You, Father, for Your Spirit who guides, directs, and leads me. Lord, I need Your direction as I raise this baby. I don’t want to do anything outside of Your will. Please continue to guide me as I seek to train up this little one in the way he should go. I rely fully on You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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There is no doubt about it, having a new baby is a big adjustment! No matter how great you are at caring for their daily (and nightly) needs, there is always an adjustment period within the household. Consider this Scripture passage as you adjust to your beautiful new son or daughter:
“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” (Psalm 127:3-4)
Gracious God, thank You for my precious new baby. I cannot thank You enough for this marvelous blessing. I pray that the transition will be smooth and the adjustment to life with a newborn will be covered by Your peace. Give me grace when needed and guidance in every moment. In Jesus holy name I pray, amen.
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One of the best bedtime prayers you can pray is a prayer for your baby’s character. With the knowledge that they were created in the image of God for a good and pleasing purpose, you can pray daily for them to develop godly character.
Be specific with the Lord about the godly attributes you’d love to see in your child as he/she grows up. Ask for wisdom in instilling biblical principles that will foster strong Christian character. Remember, we can go boldly before the throne of God with our requests.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Holy God, I come before You humble and grateful for the opportunity to raise my baby in Your truth. Lord, I want nothing more than for this baby to grow in godly wisdom and character. I pray that You will give me the principles to share with my little one, in Jesus name, amen.
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As mentioned before, your child was created in the image of God for a specific purpose. Although your baby will grow with certain God-given strengths and talents unique to them, it is important to remember they were created to glorify God and edify the body.
Pray for them to grow up in the mighty plans of the Lord and seek to live out His purpose in all that they choose to do.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Lord, thank You for creating my baby with a divine purpose. Help me, as her parent, recognize her God-given strengths and talents so that I can help cultivate them for Your glory. Help us, as a family, to live out Your purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
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Every parent knows just how fast their children grow, from babyhood to toddlerhood, childhood to adolescence, and beyond. What a beautiful habit to begin praying for their growth and development in the instruction of the Lord.
Make this a prayer of petition, not only for the physical growth of your baby, but for their educational growth as well. Ask God to help them learn and expand their minds within the parameters of His wisdom. Pray that the Lord will bless your child in each milestone of growth.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Heavenly Father, I commit my new baby to You and ask that You help them grow and excel in each milestone of life. Mostly, I pray that You will help me raise this baby in the way he should go. I trust that You will guard them and keep them always. Thank You for the opportunity to raise this baby for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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The fruits of the Holy Spirit may seem common to us, as we’ve heard them over and over again. Yet, these are the exact attributes we want our babies to grow up displaying. Make it a regular bedtime prayer to pray the fruit of the Spirit over your baby. And as they grow, help them to memorize these holy characteristics as well.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Lord, I pray for my baby to grow in love, joy, and peace, and in all of the fruit of Your Spirit. Help me to be a good example of these things to my child so that they will be encouraged to live them out as well. Thank You for Your Spirit who lives in me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Jennifer Waddle considers herself a Kansas girl, married to a Colorado hunk, with a heart to encourage women everywhere. She is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, and Abide. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com, where you can find her books and sign up for her blog, “Discouragement Doesn’t Win.” She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.
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This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery
Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father
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