Bedtime is an ideal time to teach your children to pray. At bedtime, many children are scared of the dark and don't like being left alone. What a perfect time to teach your children that when they are scared or alone they should look to God. Below are some bedtime prayers from the Bible. Pray these with your children or have your children memorize and pray these when you tuck them in at night.
“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.” Psalm 3:5
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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 your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23
“The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid.” Psalm 56:3-4
“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6-8
“He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you... the LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:4-8
As Christian parents, you can offer your children something other parents can’t: true peace. Tell your children they don’t have to be afraid at night because God is with them. God is more powerful than anything or anyone, he never sleeps, and he always protects his children.
By God’s Grace,
Pastor Stephen