Bedtime Prayers for Kids: 17 Prayers to Calm an Anxious Child

Some nights, does bedtime feel less like a peaceful ritual and more like trying to wrangle kittens? You’re exhausted after a long day, but you deeply desire to create a quiet anchor of faith for your child. The pressure to make it “perfect” can feel heavy. This guide offers a simple way forward with the perfect bedtime prayer for kids.

What if bedtime prayer wasn’t another task to check off, but a simple, grace-filled moment of connection? This guide is less about perfection and more about presence. It’s a comprehensive collection of simple prayers for children and evening blessings for kids, grounded in scripture, to help you and your child end the day in the peaceful presence of God.

A Heart for Prayer: What the Bible Gently Teaches Us

Before we jump into the prayers, you might be wondering, “Why is this simple act so important?”. The Bible encourages us to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NIV), not as a heavy rule, but as a wonderful invitation to stay connected to God. Bedtime prayer is a beautiful expression of this – a moment to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV).

When we teach our children to pray, we are giving them a lifelong gift. Jesus encouraged a simple, trusting faith, saying we should come to Him as children do (Matthew 18:3). We are teaching them to rest in the promise of the Psalmist: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8 NIV).

Bedtime Prayers for Preschoolers, Toddlers & Babies

For non-verbal babies and toddlers just learning to speak, prayer is about feeling your love and God’s peace.

1. A Whispered Blessing for Baby

"May God's peace rest upon you as you sleep".

2. A Prayer for Peaceful Sleep (for Babies)

"Jesus, please wrap my sweet baby in Your calm tonight, helping them sleep deeply and wake refreshed. Amen".

3. A Simple Rhyming Prayer

Thank you, God, for my day,
For all my fun and play.
Please keep me safe all night,
And wake me with your light.
Amen.

Classic & Foundational Bedtime Prayers for Children

4. The “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” Prayer (Traditional Version)

"Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Watch and guard me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light. Amen".

This beloved classic prayer may feel a bit heavy for some sensitive children; if so, the modern version below is a wonderful, light-filled alternative.

5. A Modern Twist on the ‘Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep’ Prayer for Kids

"Now I lay me down to rest,
I know I'm wonderfully blessed.
God, please keep me safe and sound,
And let your peaceful love abound. Amen".

6. A Classic Bedtime Blessing

Watch over us, Lord, as we sleep.
Keep our hearts and minds in Your peace.
Bless our home, and bless our family,
And wake us in the morning, ready to love Thee.
Amen.

7. The Lord’s Prayer (Simplified for Kids)

Our Father in heaven,
We honor Your holy name.
We pray for Your kingdom to come,
And for Your will to be done on earth, just like it is in heaven.
Please give us the food we need for today.
And forgive us for our sins,
As we forgive the people who sin against us.
And keep us from temptation, but save us from evil.
Amen.

Prayers for a Peaceful Heart & Mind (For a Scared Child at Night)

When a child feels afraid or worried, these prayers give words to those feelings and place them in God’s loving hands. Remember, God’s Word offers comfort for anxious hearts – both for children and parents. You might find additional peace in our collection of anxiety bible verses that speak to God’s faithfulness in our worries.

8. A Prayer for God’s Angels to Watch Over Me

The Bible gives us a beautiful promise in Psalm 91:11 that God will command His angels to guard us. This prayer rests on that wonderful truth.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you that you never leave me.
Your Word says you command your angels to watch over me.
Please send your angels to be in my room tonight to keep me safe while I sleep.
Thank you for protecting me.
Amen.

9. A Prayer for a Scared Child at Night

Dear Jesus,
Sometimes at night, I feel a little scared.
But the Bible says I can trust in You.
So right now, I give you all my fears.
Please be with me and protect my room.
Thank you that you are bigger than any shadow,
And that you love me all the time.
Amen.

10. A Prayer for When I Feel Lonely

Heavenly Father,
When it feels too quiet in my room,
Please help me remember that you are here with me.
You are always watching, always listening, and always loving me.
I am not alone because you are my friend.
Amen.

11. A Prayer for Sweet Dreams

Heavenly Father,
Please help my body rest and my mind be calm.
Please take away any worries from my heart and fill my head with good, happy dreams about things that are true and lovely.
Help me sleep peacefully knowing you are watching over me.
I love you.
Amen.

12. A Prayer for a Good Day at School

Lord, thank You for my school day. Please forgive me if I wasn't kind, and help me feel brave for tomorrow. Thank you for my friends and teachers, and please help me know You’re with me, even when I'm at school. Amen.

After this prayer, you could offer a word of encouragement from scripture, like: “Remember, God promises to be with you wherever you go, just like He told Joshua: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go’ (Joshua 1:9, NIV)”. For more age-appropriate scripture to share with your child, explore our collection of bible verses for kids.

Prayers to Cultivate a Thankful Heart

13. A Blessing for Family & Friends

Dear God,
Please bless Mommy and Daddy.
Please bless my brothers and sisters.
Please bless my grandparents and my friends.
Please keep them all safe and healthy and help them to know that you love them.
Amen.

This prayer teaches children the beautiful habit of intercession – praying for others. The Bible encourages this practice throughout scripture. Discover more bible verses about praying for others to deepen your family’s prayer life.

14. A Conversational “Thank You” Prayer

Dear God,
Thank you for today. My favorite part was ________.
Thank you for ________ (a person), and thank you for ________ (a food).
Thank you for loving me all day long. Amen.

A Little Help for You, Weary Mom & Dad

What If They Don’t Want to Pray?

First, take a deep breath. A power struggle is the last thing you need. If your child is resistant or in the middle of a meltdown, remember the goal is connection, not compliance.

• Don’t force it. Simply say, “That’s okay. I’m going to say a quick prayer for us tonight”.
• Model it. Let them hear your quiet, calm voice talking to God. They absorb more than we realize.
• Whisper it later. The most powerful prayers are often the ones you whisper over them after they’ve finally fallen asleep.

Gentle Tips for Your Routine

Create a Calm Space. A few minutes before prayer, try dimming the lights, turning off screens, and speaking in a softer voice.

Keep It Simple. A heartfelt, “Jesus, please be with my child tonight”, is powerful and beautiful.

Embrace Grace. Remember God’s grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9a, NIV). If you miss a night, just pick back up the next.

Two Short Goodnight Prayers for Mom & Dad

16. A Prayer for Your Own Strength

Lord, thank you for this precious child, even on the hard days. I am tired. I give you my weariness and ask for your rest, the kind you promise in Matthew 11:28. Please bring your peace into this room and into my heart. Guard our home, guard our sleep, and give me fresh grace and strength for the morning. In Jesus' name, Amen.

17. A Prayer of Blessing Over Your Child

Based on the beautiful promise in Zephaniah 3:17.

May the Lord your God be with you.
May He who is mighty save you.
May He take great delight in you.
May He quiet you with His love,
And may He rejoice over you with singing as you sleep.
Amen.

Before you leave their room, here are two blessings for the one who does the tucking in. Whether you’re seeking a prayer for daughter or prayer for your son, these prayers offer comfort for parents’ hearts too.

The goal is not a perfect performance, but a simple, repeated moment that teaches your child’s heart the comforting rhythm of God’s faithfulness. Bookmark this page for those extra-tired nights, and remember, you are doing more than enough. These quiet moments are a beautiful way to live out your faith and share His hope, right in the heart of your home. For additional inspiration, you might also enjoy our collection of good night prayers bedtime resources for the whole family.

We’d love to hear from you! What are some of your family’s favorite bedtime prayers or traditions? Share in the comments below to encourage another parent!