SkiesPrayer
Bedtime prayers for kids and families
Simple prayers to say with children at the end of the day, short enough to learn by heart.
‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’
Numbers 6:24–26
A good bedtime prayer with children is short, simple and the same most nights, so they can learn it by heart. Thank God for one thing from the day, pray for the people you love, and ask God to watch over you while you sleep. Many families end with the blessing from Numbers 6:24–26.
A simple bedtime prayer
Dear God, thank you for today.
Thank you for my family and my friends.
Please forgive me when I did wrong,
and help me to be kind tomorrow.
Watch over everyone I love,
and keep me safe while I sleep.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Now I lay me down to sleep
The classic children’s prayer, first printed in the 1700s, in a gentle modern form many families use:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Guard me through the starry night,
and wake me with the morning light. Amen.
Make it a family habit
- Same time, same place: at the bedside, after the story.
- Let them lead: ask “What are you thankful for?” and pray their answer.
- Pray for one person by name: a grandparent, a friend, a teacher.
- End with a blessing: put a hand on their head and pray Numbers 6:24–26 over them.
Scripture behind this prayer
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
Questions people ask
What is a short bedtime prayer for kids?
“Dear God, thank you for today. Please forgive me when I did wrong, watch over everyone I love, and keep me safe while I sleep. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
What blessing can I pray over my child at night?
Numbers 6:24–26: “May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.”
