A bedtime prayer with kids
About 2 minutes · say the bold lines out loud if you can
New to praying? Just read it slowly, or stay with one line. That counts.
Pray
Say a line, and let them say it after you.
Thank you, God, for today.Thank you for (the people they name).I’m sorry for the things I did wrong.Please keep us safe tonight. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For older children, Luther’s evening prayer:
My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, that You have protected me, by Your grace. Forgive, I pray, all my sins and the evil I have done. Protect me, by Your grace, tonight. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have. Let Your holy angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power over me. Amen.
Luther’s prayers from the Small Catechism, translated by Robert E. Smith and placed in the public domain. All four.
From the Bible
Short enough for a tired four-year-old, real enough for you. Say a line and let them repeat it. Leave a pause after “thank you for” so they can name people. Older children can learn Luther’s evening prayer.
I will both lie down and sleep in peace;for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.
Psalm 4:8 · NRSV · Other translations
The Lord’s Prayer
The prayer Jesus taught. If you learned the traditional words, they’re one tap below.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
Show the traditional form (“Our Father, who art in heaven”)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9–13. Historic text of the Western church. English Language Liturgical Consultation.
Both forms are in current use. Pray whichever one you learned.