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6 Bedtime Prayers to Say with Your Children

6 Bedtime Prayers to Say with Your Children

Bedtime is a special time of day when most families take a little extra time to attend to each other. There are baths, books, and the blessing of being together! One vital part of the bedtime routine is saying our bedtime prayers together. I have some kids who love adding long prayers to mine and others who like short and sweet prayers before they hop into bed.

When my kids were little, I started reciting a prayer from Scripture over them; it has become something they know by heart. My daughter calls it 'the song' and asks me to say it to her before she goes to sleep. The familiar words are comforting to her soul and something she enjoys at bedtime.

Our bedtime prayer goes like this:

God bless your dreams and sleep. Would God keep you safe and protected? May you grow to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. May you love your neighbor as yourself. Amen.

It's short and sweet but I felt compelled to pray Matthew 22:37 over them because it's a reminder to me and them that no matter what else I'm worried about or they are worried about, the number one goal we are striving for in this home is to be people that love God and love others. It centers us on the fundamental mission of our faith, which is to know God and make him known. Boy, is it easy to get distracted from this central truth! It's also a reflection of my heart's desire for my children; I want them to grow to love God.

Sometimes, we add to this prayer by praying for urgent needs, friends, family, and more, but this is what we end the day with most of the time. These words are written on our hearts, I hope for life.

Here are some more bedtime prayers to say with your children:

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  • Little boy looking up in bed

    1. A Prayer for Bedtime Anxiety

    Many of our kids battle anxiety at bedtime. Something about the dark, the change in pace, and going to bed on your own stirs up fearful thoughts. We can help soothe our kid's minds and bodies by praying that they experience God's peace.

    God bless the sleep of my child. May your Spirit rest on them as they drift off to sleep. May they know that you, the Lord of peace, himself gives you peace at all times in every way. He is with you when you rest, when you wake, when you are happy, when you are sad. You give us a great Helper that comforts, protects, and never leaves us. Amen.

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  • Mom and daughter praying before bed sleep

    2. A Prayer for Abundant Grace

    Our kids need to know that we serve a God of abundance! He sees us, he loves us, and he is involved in every detail of our lives. We can trust him to help and provide for us every day.

    God, help my child to rest well. Give them sweet, beautiful dreams. May they know that you do abundantly more than they could ever dream up because you love them so much! Would your love cover them as they rest? Would your love give them what they need each day? Would they know deep in their hearts how precious and loved they are by me and their abundantly gracious God. Amen.

    Photo credit: ©GettyImages/FG Trade

  • little girl sleeping peacefully in bed with smile on her face hugging a teddy bear, now I lay me down to sleep

    3. A Bedtime Prayer for Bravery

    This world can feel scary but we are called to do hard things with Jesus at our side. He wants us to be brave followers of him, trusting him to guide our steps. As we grow, being brave in the Lord is a skill we all have to develop. Pray with your littles that they will have big faith when they face scary things.

    Jesus, we thank you that you give us BIG faith when we face really BIG feeling fears! Your Bible tells us that every step we take you are with us, that means we are never alone. Help me be brave as I go to school, to my competitions and games, when I talk to friends, when I need help with my homework, or when I'm unsure how to treat a friend. I can trust that you are good and won't ever let me down. Amen.

    Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Prostock Studio

  • Mom tucking daughter into bed sleep

    4. A Bedtime Prayer for Sweet Dreams

    There is nothing worse than having a scary dream! I remember waking up in the night as a kid and sneaking into my parent's room because the craziest bad dreams had interrupted my sweet sleep. When our kids are battling scary thoughts, prayer can help calm their bodies and minds.

    Jesus, thank you for the Bible telling me that God gives us sweet sleep (Proverbs 3:24). As we lay down to rest, help me think about the good, noble, beautiful, and true things you have made. Keep out the scary dark thoughts as I rest my head. I thank you that your angels are with me, even while I sleep. Bless this night and its dreams. Amen.

    Photo credit: ©GettyImages/FG Trade

  • Sick kid in bed dad taking temperature

    5. A Bedtime Prayer for Healing

    Boo-boos, fevers, and being sick is no fun for our kids. Their bodies often battle viruses, and they need extra prayers for rest and recovery. As they lay down to sleep, we can ask God to help touch and comfort them.

    God, my body is feeling yucky. I know you are a great healer. I ask that you touch my body and help it rest and recover. Calm my mind as it is feeling anxious about my sickness. Help me to be brave as I take medicine and ask doctors to help me feel better. Most of all, I thank you for my body and ask that I would quickly feel better. Amen.

    Photo credit: ©GettyImages/PeopleImages

  • Little girl asleep in bed dreaming

    6. A Bedtime Prayer for Strong Character

    Our kids are growing up in a world at war. We have been at war with the powers of darkness since the Fall in the Garden of Eden. We have to pray that our kids will grow to have godly character as the world will teach them another way contrary to God's.

    God, I pray that would help me put on your full armor! An armor that helps me follow you well. Fill me with faith, truth, righteousness, and salvation. Let me daily think and do the things that are good. Give me self-control and wisdom so I can grow to follow you. Protect me like a shield. I love you. Amen.

    The most important thing we can do regularly with our kids is to pray with them. God tells us that our prayers are the best weapon we have in this world (James 5:16). It's important that we model to our kids how to pray and let them know that you are lifting their needs up daily to the Lord. God is their strong tower for all the days of their life.

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    Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.