Christian child's prayer

A Christian child's prayer is Christian prayer recited primarily by children that is typically short, rhyming or has a memorable tune. It is said before bedtime, to give thanks for a meal, or as a nursery rhyme. Many of these prayers have a long tradition and come directly from the Bible. While termed "Christian child's prayer", the examples here are almost exclusively used and promoted by Protestants. Catholics and Orthodox Christians have their own set of children's prayers, often invoking Mary the Mother of Jesus, the saints and including a remembrance of the dead. Some adult prayers are equally popular with children, such as the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31, Matthew 7:12), the Doxology, the Serenity Prayer, John 3:16 and, for older children, The Lord's Prayer and Psalm 23.

Bedtime Prayer

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

original version

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
if I die before I wake,
I pray for Lord my soul to take. Amen

More recent variants:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord, my soul to keep;
Guide me safely through the night
and wake me with the morning's light
Amen


Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord, my soul to keep;
Keep me safe through the night
and wake me with the morning light
If I should die before I wake,
I pray for Lord my soul to take. Amen


Now I lay me down to sleep,
I'll assume I'll rise rested and at peace.
For I know all day I tried my best
To treat all others with respect.


Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord, my soul to keep;
Angels watch me through the night
and keep me in their blessed sight.
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 day
I 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 over head,
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
God bless this bed that I lay on.

Giving thanks

God Is Great

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 Lord

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

Come Lord Jesus

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.

Missouri Synod Lutheran Church:
Come Lord Jesus, be our guest,
let these gifts to us be blessed, Amen

Organized prayer

Regent's prayer

Almighty God,
we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee,
and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents,
our teachers and our country.

Philmont grace

For food, for raiment,
for life, for opportunity,
for friendship and fellowship,
we thank you, O Lord.

S Bar F grace

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

Nursery rhymes

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

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All 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.

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.

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!