Teaching children to pray often includes learning a few sample prayers by memory. Use these evening prayers for kids every night at bedtime. Download and print this list of children’s prayer to keep beside your child’s bed or inside their children’s Bible.
You should teach kids to pray using their own words, but these route prayers are powerful tools to help children build confidence in their talking with God. When possible, I prefer biblical prayers. For longer prayers, practice them at bedtime for one week, then move to the next. After a few weeks, start from the beginning of the list or incorporate new prayers into the list.
Bedtime Prayer: Our Father Prayer (the Lord’s Prayer) Matthew 6
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Matthew 6:9-13 ESV
Short Good Night Prayer for Kids at Bedtime
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May angels watch me through the night
and wake me with the morning light.
Psalm 4:8 Bedtime Prayer
In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
“God is Great” Simple Bedtime Prayer
God is great, God is good,
let us thank Him for our bed,
by His hands, we are led,
to rest safely in Jesus love. Amen
Children’s Evening Prayer from Psalm 23: The Lord is My Shepherd at Bedtime for Kids
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Psalm 54 Bedtime Prayer
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
He will return the evil to my enemies;
in your faithfulness put an end to them.
(Psalm 54:4-5 ESV)
Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild (from Wesley’s Hymn) Simple Evning Prayer for Children
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity,
Suffer me to come to Thee.
