Bedtime Prayers
A bedtime prayer is a short, simple prayer said before going to sleep, often with children, to thank God for the day and ask him to keep everyone safe through the night. An easy one for families is: "Thank you, God, for today. Please keep us safe tonight and help us sleep well. Amen."
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24 (BSB)
For many families, bedtime is the one calm moment of the day, and a short prayer can become the part children remember most. These bedtime prayers are written to be easy to say, easy to learn and easy to make your own. There are prayers for little ones, for parents to pray over their children, and one for grown-ups at the end of a long day.
A simple bedtime prayer for little ones
Dear God, thank you for today. Thank you for my family, my friends and my bed. Thank you for the fun things I did and the yummy food I ate. Please look after everyone I love tonight. If I feel scared in the dark, help me remember that you are right here with me. Help me sleep well, have good dreams and wake up happy in the morning. I love you, God. Amen.
A bedtime prayer for children to say themselves
God, today I was happy and sometimes I was grumpy. Thank you for loving me all the time, even when I make mistakes. I am sorry for anything I did that was unkind. Please help me be kind tomorrow. Please be with Mum and Dad, my brothers and sisters, my grandparents and my friends. Keep us all safe while we sleep. Thank you for always listening to me, every single night. Amen.
A parent's blessing over a sleeping child
Father, thank you for this child you have placed in my care. As they sleep tonight, guard their body, their mind and their heart. Give them sweet rest and peaceful dreams. Grow them in kindness, courage and joy. Where I fell short as a parent today, fill the gaps with your love. Help me be patient tomorrow. Bless them and keep them, now and always, all the days of their life. Amen.
A family bedtime prayer
Lord, thank you for bringing our family to the end of another day. Thank you for the laughs we shared, and forgive us for the times we were short with each other. Help us go to sleep at peace with one another. Watch over every room in this house tonight. Be with the people we love who are not here with us. Give us all good rest, and a fresh start in the morning. Amen.
A bedtime prayer for a child who is scared of the dark
Dear God, sometimes the dark feels big and scary. But you made the night and the stars, and the dark is not dark to you. You can see me right now, and you are bigger than anything I am afraid of. Please stay close to me. Help me feel safe and calm. When I close my eyes, help me think about happy things and how much you love me. Goodnight, God. Amen.
A bedtime prayer for tired grown-ups
Lord, I am worn out. Today asked a lot of me and I am not sure I gave it my best. Thank you that your love for me does not depend on how much I got done. I leave the unfinished jobs and unanswered messages with you. Let my body rest and my mind go quiet. Restore what today used up, and wake me gently tomorrow with enough for what lies ahead. Amen.
Scripture to pray with
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 (BSB)
The Lord will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:7-8 (BSB)
‘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 (BSB)
For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well.
Psalm 139:13-14 (BSB)
Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.
Mark 10:13-16 (BSB)
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me” - even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You.
Psalm 139:11-12 (BSB)
Questions people ask
What is a good bedtime prayer for kids?
A good bedtime prayer for kids is short, warm and easy to repeat. For example: "Dear God, thank you for today and for my family. Please keep us safe tonight and help me sleep well. I love you. Amen." Let children add their own thanks and the names of people they want to pray for.
How do I teach my child to pray at bedtime?
Start small and keep it the same each night so it becomes a routine. Pray a short prayer yourself, then invite your child to add one thing they are thankful for and one person they want to pray for. Over time they will start to use their own words.
What blessing can I pray over my child at night?
Many parents pray the ancient priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 over their children, asking God to bless them, keep them, shine on them and give them peace. You can also simply place a hand on your child's head and ask God to guard and grow them.
Keep reading
A verse for how you feel, every morning
FaithGuide gives you a verse and a prayer for how you feel each morning, and a gentle prayer at bedtime. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is in the public domain.