A Christian child's prayer is Christian prayer recited primarily by children that is typically short, rhyming, or has a memorable tune. It is usually said before bedtime, to give thanks for a meal, or as a nursery rhyme. Many of these prayers are either quotes from the Bible, or set traditional texts.
While termed "Christian child's prayer", the examples here are almost exclusively used and promoted by Protestants. Catholic and Orthodox Christians have their own set of children's prayers, often invoking Mary, Mother of Jesus, angels, or the saints, and including a remembrance of the dead. Some adult prayers are equally popular with children, such as the Golden Rule (6:31 KJV,), the Doxology, the Serenity Prayer,, 145:15–16 31, 136:1 9, and for older children, The Lord's Prayer and Psalm 23.
For the history of Christian songs for children, see Boys' choir § Middle ages & early development, nativity play, and Sunday school § Development.
See main article: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.
More recent variants:Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray the Lord my soul to keep;Guide me, Jesus, through the nightand wake me with the morning light.Amen.
Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray the Lord my soul to keep;Keep me safe through the nightand wake me with the morning lightIf I should die before I wake,I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.
Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray the Lord my soul to keep;Angels watch me through the nightand wake me with the morning light.Amen.
Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray the Lord my soul to keep;If I should die before I wake,I pray the Lord my soul to take.If I should live another dayI pray the Lord to guide my way.
Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray the Lord my soul to keep;If I should die before I wake,I pray the Lord my soul to take.There are four corners on my bed,There are four angels overhead,Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,God bless this bed that I lay on.
Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray the Lord my soul to keep;Keep me warm, cozy, and tight,And wake me with your morning light.
See main article: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.[1]
Evening Prayer from the 1777 New England Primer:
O Lord God who knowest all Things, thou seest me by Night as well as by Day. I pray thee for Christ's Sake, forgive me whatsoever I have done amiss this Day, and keep me all this Night, while I am asleep. I desire to lie down under thy Care, and to abide forever under thy Blessing, for thou art a God of all Power and everlasting Mercy. Amen
2. Now the darkness gathers,andStars begin to peep,Birds and beasts and flowersSoon will be asleep.
3. Jesus, give the wearyCalm and sweet repose;With Thy tend'rest blessingMay mine eyelids close.
There are five additional verses.[2]
See main article: Ar Hyd y Nos.
See main article: Der Mond ist aufgegangen.
See main article: Weißt du, wie viel Sternlein stehen.
See main article: Wiegenlied (Brahms).
See main article: The Virgin's Cradle Hymn.
See main article: Baloo Baleerie.
See main article: Suo Gân.
See main article: Vaggsång till Jesus.
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.[1]
Morning Prayer from the 1777 New England Primer:[3]
Almighty God the Maker of every thing in Heaven and Earth; the Darkness goes away, and the Day light comes at thy Command. Thou art good and doest good continually. I thank thee that thou has taken such Care of me this Night, and that I am alive and well this Morning. Save me, O God, from Evil, all this Day long, and let me love and serve thee forever, for the Sake of Jesus Christ thy Son. Amen.
See main article: Morning Has Broken.
See main article: Din klara sol går åter opp.
God is great and God is good.
And we thank him for our food.
By his hands we all are fed.
Thank you, Lord, for our daily bread.
God is great and God is good,
And we thank him for our food. Amen.
Thank you my God for the day you have given us!
Thank you because you are great and worthy.
Thank you for another day of living,
Thank you for each breath we have taken
Thank you for dying on that cross my God
For our sins!
Forgive our sins, Lord
Amen.
See main article: Common table prayer. Come Lord Jesus, be our guest,
let this food to us be blessed, Amen.
A Slovak Lutheran tradition adds a second verse:
And may there be a goodly share
on every table everywhere.
A variant often used in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is
Come Lord Jesus, be our guest,
And let Thy gifts to us be blessed, Amen.
The chorus to We Plough the Fields and Scatter may be used as a table grace:[4]
All good gifts around us
Are sent from heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
For all His love.
For this food and joy renewed, we praise your name, O Lord![5] [6]
See main article: School prayer in the United States. Almighty God,
we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee,
and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents,
our teachers and our country.
See main article: Wilderness Grace. For food, for raiment,
for life, for opportunity,
for friendship and fellowship,
we thank you, O Lord.
For the gifts of food and freedom,
And the hills to roam.
For the crimson sunsets
And the Earth, our home
For the stars at night
And the gentle winds in the trees
We thank you, Great Spirit, for all of these.
See main article: He's Got the Whole World in His Hands. He's got the whole world in his hands.
He's got you and me, brother in his hands.
He's got you and me, sister in his hands.
He's got the little bitty baby in his hands.
He's got the whole world in his hands.
See main article: Michael Row the Boat Ashore.
Michael, row the boat ashore, Alleluia!
Michael, row the boat ashore, Alleluia!
Sister help to trim the sails, Alleluia!
Sister help to trim the sails, Alleluia!
The river is deep and the river is wide, Alleluia!
Milk and honey on the other side, Alleluia!
Jordan's river is chilly and cold, Alleluia!
Chills the body, but not the soul, Alleluia!
If you get there before I do. Alleluia!
Tell my people I'm coming too. Alleluia!
See main article: Kumbaya.
See main article: Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen.
See main article: Go Down Moses.
See main article: We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder.
See main article: Children, Go Where I Send Thee.
See main article: Every Time I Feel the Spirit (song).
See main article: I Shall Not Be Moved.
See main article: I'm So Glad.
See main article: Dem Bones.
See main article: Ezekiel Saw the Wheel.
See main article: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian.
See main article: When the Saints Go Marching In.
See main article: We Shall Overcome.
See main article: The Twelve Days of Christmas (song).
See main article: Away in a Manger.
See main article: Il est né, le divin Enfant.
See main article: Natalie Sleeth.
See main article: A la Nanita Nana.
See main article: Ihr Kinderlein, kommet.
See main article: Jesus Loves Me. Jesus loves me - this I know,
For the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me, He who died,
Heaven's gate to open wide.
He will wash away my sin;
Let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me, loves me still,
Though I'm very weak and ill.
From His shining throne on high,
Comes to watch me where I lie.
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way
Then His little child will take
Up to heaven for His dear sake.
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
They are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Fat and skinny, short and tall,
Jesus loves them one and all,
OR
Jesus died for all the children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus died for all the children of the world.
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
Three verses following this replace "praise" with "love," "thank," and "serve."[7]
The chorus of All Things Bright and Beautiful has been recommended for children ages five and younger.[8]
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
See main article: Oil in My Lamp.
See main article: The Hymn of Joy.
See main article: Zacchaeus (song).
See main article: This Little Light of Mine.
See main article: I've Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy.
The original text in German begins with .
See main article: Tryggare kan ingen vara. (original in Swedish, Tryggare kan ingen vara)
See main article: Jacques Berthier.
See main article: Bob Kilpatrick.
See main article: Lord of All Hopefulness.
See main article: My Tribute (To God Be The Glory).
See main article: Seek Ye First.
See main article: Jesus Bids Us Shine.
See main article: Vi sätter oss i ringen.