Bedtime Prayers for Kids
Short enough to learn by heart and easy to say together. Pick one for tonight, or let your child choose.
Tip: let your child add one thing they're thankful for and one person they want to pray for. That makes the prayer theirs.
Simple prayers for little ones
Thank You, God, for my bed, for my pillow and my head. Thank You for my family too. Help me sleep and dream of You. Amen.
Dear God, thank You for today. Thank You for the fun and play. Keep me safe all through the night, and wake me with the morning light. Amen.
Jesus, friend so kind and true, I want to say goodnight to You. Amen.
God is with me, I'm not alone. God is with me in my home. Amen.
Dear God, thank You for the sun, the moon and everyone. Amen.
Thank-you prayers
Dear God, thank You for my family, my friends and my food. Thank You for loving me. Amen.
Dear God, today I'm thankful for ____. Thank You for giving me good things. Amen.
Dear Jesus, thank You for being with me at school, at home and everywhere. Amen.
When I'm scared of the dark
Dear God, the dark feels big, but You are bigger. Help me feel brave and safe. Amen.
Jesus, when I feel scared, remind me that You are right here. Help me close my eyes and rest. Amen.
Dear God, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” (Psalm 56:3). Help me trust You tonight. Amen.
For my family and friends
Dear God, please bless Mom, Dad and everyone in my family. Keep us safe and happy. Amen.
Dear God, please help my friend ____ feel better. Amen.
Dear Jesus, help me be kind tomorrow, even when it's hard. Amen.
Traditional prayers
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Guide me safely through the night, and wake me with the morning light. Amen. (A gentle modern ending to a traditional prayer.)
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (The Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13, KJV)
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, KJV)
God is great, God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. Amen. (A traditional mealtime prayer kids love.)
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Amen. (From the 1860 hymn by Anna Bartlett Warner.)
More prayer collections
Questions
What is a simple bedtime prayer for a child?
“Dear God, thank You for today. Keep me safe all through the night, and wake me with the morning light. Amen.” Short rhyming prayers are easy for young children to remember.
At what age can kids pray on their own?
Many children start repeating simple prayers around age two or three, and can make up their own by five or six. Praying together helps them learn.
Are these prayers free to print?
Yes. Print or share them for home, Sunday school or church.