Children are a precious gift from God. So, when the challenges of life come along, it’s easy to fear for their futures. But praise God, we have the gift of praying for children we know and love, and those around the world who may be facing difficult times. In this article you’ll see simple bedtime prayers for toddlers.
Praying for children is one of the most powerful things you can do as a parent, carer or compassionate Christian. That’s why we’ve gathered together 10 prayers for children. You’ll also see toddler prayers before meals in this piece.
When inclined to worry about the future of our children – as we naturally do from time to time – use this special collection of prayers to lift up your children to our loving Heavenly Father. Be encouraged by our unique prayers for children written by Compassion Ambassadors.
Prayer To Teach Toddler
“Father God, we ask for your blessing today as we pray these prayers over our children. We praise you that every day we can trust in your goodness. Amen”
Lord, please help me remember to be kind while we play today. Father help me remember to keep my hands to myself. Please remind me to keep my feet on the ground. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
1. PRAYERS FOR MY CHILDREN’S PROTECTION
Take encouragement from the fact that our God is fully in control of all things. Remind yourself that “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Prayer: Lord God, we praise you that you are fully in control of all things. I pray you would protect my child. Keep them healthy and help them to thrive. I thank you that you know every hair on their head. You know exactly when they rise and when they fall. Watch over my child in every area of their life and keep them safe I pray, Amen.
2. PRAYERS FROM COMPASSION AMBASSADORS
As well as praying for your children, it’s great to make a difference in your prayers by remembering some of the most vulnerable children around the world. Praise God, that when you sponsor a child living in poverty, you give them security and hope for the future!
We invited singer-songwriters and Compassion ambassadors, Chloe Reynolds and Philippa Hanna, to share a prayer for kids around the world.
A prayer for precious children around the world from Philippa Hanna:
Dear Lord Jesus. Thank you so much for all the precious children in this world. We know they mean so much to you. We pray you would help us do all we can to protect and give them the start in life they deserve. Lord we bring to you all of the wonderful work being done to release children from poverty, and we pray that you would bless every pair of hands that works for you. Increase and bless their efforts in Jesus name, Amen.
A prayer of thanks to Christ know knew what it was like to be a child by Chloe Reynolds:
Thank you Jesus that you have lived here as one of us, you know what it’s like to be a child, and to feel everything that children feel. Thank you that we as adults have everything we need to encourage, nurture and provide for those in need.
I pray for children around the world that you would be in their lives and they would grow up knowing they are loved by you. As you bless them with opportunities in their local projects, I pray they would be able to change lives for others in their communities too. Amen
3. PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN’S FUTURES
In the uncertainty of life, give thanks that God has good plans for your children. He will give them a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you that all good gifts come from you. I thank you that I can trust you for the future of my family. Please guide my child in every step they take. I pray they would know your provision and protection. Make steady their steps I pray. Amen
4. PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION
Praise God for the educational opportunities He’s given your child! Pray for them to grow in intrigue and wonder at world around them. Ask that they would develop a real love of learning. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6
Prayer: God I thank you for the gift of knowledge! I praise you that you provide us with brains to think and question the world around us. I pray you would help my child learn well and flourish. May they discover their unique talents and giftings. Give them a passion for the world around them. Amen
5. PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN’S FRIENDSHIPS
As these Bible verses about friendship remind us, relationships truly are a gift. Take a moment to pray for your child to know the support of great friends around them.
Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you made us to be in relationship with others. I pray for my child to know great care and support from those around them. May they be encouraged by friends at school, college or university. May they show your love and care to their friendship circle. Amen
6. PRAYERS FOR THOSE CARING FOR CHILDREN
Child advocate and President Emeritus of Compassion, Wess Stafford, shares a prayer for all those caring for children to know God’s patience and grace. Take time to pray that you would know God’s hand on your life as you care for children.
Prayer: We love You so much, Lord! We surrender fully to You and pray that Your love will guide us today and every day. May we simply be conduits of Your love to the children in our care. Amen
“Watch carefully the children around you. In precious moments you will catch a glimpse of your Saviour’s face. Listen intently and you will hear his voice. Walk gently among them; his footprints are all around you. Embrace them, for you are embracing him. Respect them, because they are sometimes God’s agents – exactly the kind of instruments he needs. At such times, only a child will do.” Wess Stafford
7. PRAYERS FOR BABY AND NEWBORNS
Babies are such a precious gift. Thank God that He is the author and giver of life! “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13
Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of new life. We thank you for this precious baby’s safe arrival into our world. We pray this baby would sleep peacefully and be kept from harm. We pray you would bless this child as they grow. Keep them safe and strong in the weeks, months and years ahead. Give us grace and strength through the highs and lows of caring for a newborn baby. In Jesus’ name. Amen
8. PRAYERS FOR TEENS
Being a teenager can be tough. We hope this prayer will spur you on to pray for your teenager to know the faithfulness of God through both challenges and joys.
Prayer: Lord God, I pray for my teenage son or daughter to know your goodness and provision. I pray they would place their identity in you. I ask that in the pressures of life, they would know you are their rock on which they can stand. I pray that through the challenges of school life, exams, and future decisions, you would lead them, guide them and bring them comfort. In Jesus’ name, Amen
9. PRAYERS FOR MY SON
Use this helpful prayer to guide you in praying for your son as they grow up.
Prayer: Father God, I praise you for the gift of my son. I pray he would follow after you and be a builder of your kingdom. I ask that you would protect and steady his steps. May he learn to hear and follow your voice. Like Timothy in the Bible, may my son be an example to believers in speech, love, conduct, faith and purity. (1 Timothy 4:12) Amen
10. PRAYERS FOR MY DAUGHTER
Take a moment to give thanks for the gift of your daughter. Let these words spur you on as you pray for her future.
Prayer: Holy God, I thank you for the precious gift of my daughter. I pray you would protect her through the years. May she become a young woman of great character, seeking after your heart. I pray that through the challenges of life, she would find her confidence in you. May she know your joy as her strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Amen.
CHILDREN’S PRAYERS TO RESOURCE YOUR FAMILY
A child’s prayer can be beautiful and powerful. As well as praying for your children, it’s also great to encourage your kids to pray simple prayers themselves. Let this collection of prayers for kids help your child as they reach out to their Heavenly Father.
Children’s Prayer to Say Every Day
Every Day Prayer
He wakes me up; He makes me sleep.
Provides for me the food I eat.
When I cry, I call on Him,
Because I know with Him I win.
Even through the hardest day,
I trust in Him in every way.
He’s the One who sees me through,
Jesus lives, I know it’s true.
With loving-kindness, He smiles on me.
Because He died, I am free.
Lord, for all, I thank you so,
I know you’ll never let me go!
— Esther Lawson
Kids’ Prayers to Say in the Morning
You can start each day by modeling what a genuine life of prayer looks like for your children. Your kids will discover that God is personal and approachable anytime they call on him throughout the day.
Good Morning, Jesus
Jesus, you are good and wise
I will praise you when I rise.
Jesus, hear this prayer I send
Bless my family and my friends.
Jesus, help my eyes to see
All the good you send to me.
Jesus, help my ears to hear
Calls for help from far and near.
Jesus, help my feet to go
In the way that You will show.
Jesus, help my hands to do
All things loving, kind, and true.
Jesus, guard me through this day
In all I do and all I say.
Amen.
— Author Unknown
Lord, in the Morning
Lord, in the morning I start each day,
By taking a moment to bow and pray.
Beginning with thanks, I then give praise
For all your kind and loving ways.
Today if sunshine turns to rain,
If a dark cloud brings some pain,
I won’t doubt or hide in fear
For you, my God, are always near.
I will travel where you lead;
I will help my friends in need.
Where you send me, I will go;
With your help, I’ll learn and grow.
Hold my family in your hands,
As we follow your commands.
And I will keep you close in sight
Until I crawl in bed tonight.
Amen.
Simple Bedtime Prayers For Toddlers
The author of this prayer wishes readers to know that he wrote it for his own son when the child was just 14 months old. He and his wife would say the prayer out loud before bed and it put the boy peacefully to sleep every night. The author’s desire is to share the prayer with other Christian parents to enjoy with their children.
God My Friend
God, my friend, it is time for bed.
Time to rest my sleepy head.
I pray to you before I do.
Please guide me down the path that’s true.
God, my friend, please bless my mother,
All your children–sisters, brothers.
Oh! And then there’s daddy, too–
He says I am his gift from you.
God, my friend, it is time to sleep.
I thank you for a soul unique,
And thank you for another day,
To run and jump and laugh and play!
God, my friend, it is time to go,
But before I do I hope you know,
I am thankful for my blessing, too,
And God, my friend, I love you.
–Submitted by Michael J. Edger III MS
Toddler Prayers Before Meals
Teaching kids to say grace at mealtimes is a great way to include prayer in their daily routines. Plus, the impact of praying before meals can reach much further than you’d expect. When this act becomes second nature to your children, it shows their gratitude and dependence on God to all who observe them.
Thank You, Jesus, For Them All
Round this table, here to pray
First, we thank you for the day
For our family and our friends
Gifts of grace that heaven lends
Living water, daily bread
Countless blessings our God sends
Thank you, Jesus, for them all
For the great ones and the small
When we’re happy, when we’re sad
On the good days and the bad
We are grateful, we are glad
Amen.
Kids’ Prayers for Protection
Teaching your children to say prayers of protection will help them understand that they can turn to God in times of need and discover how deeply he cares for them.
Hurry to Pray
(Adapted from Philippians 4:6-7)
I won’t fret and I won’t worry
Instead, I’ll hurry to pray.
I’ll turn my problems into petitions
And lift my hands in praise.
I’ll say goodbye to all my fears,
His presence sets me free
Although I may not understand
I feel God’s peace in me.
Child’s Prayer for Protection
Angel of God, my Guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here;
Ever this day, be at my side
To light and guard
To rule and guide.
