I used to dread praying over my kids at bedtime. Now, I see it as an incredibly important spiritual practice. It’s something we do together, for their benefit. But, it was hard for me to start.
By the time bedtime came, I was exhausted. My brain was a blank. I couldn’t think of anything to say. It felt like I just wanted to sleep with them.
To make bedtime prayers easier, I started writing them out. They take just a few seconds to say. Every night, I choose one to pray over my kids. Here’s an example:
May you sleep in peace tonight. Know that God protects and keeps you safe. If you feel the same, here are 31 free bedtime blessings for your kids.
1. Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Prayer: May the Lord bless you and keep you, my child. May His face shine upon you and give you peace as you sleep.
2. Psalm 4:8
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Prayer: May you sleep in peace tonight, knowing that God watches over you and keeps you safe.
3. Proverbs 3:24
If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Prayer: May your sleep be sweet, and may you rest without fear, for God is with you.
4. Psalm 121:7-8
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Prayer: May the Lord watch over you, keeping you safe from all harm, tonight and always.
5. Psalm 139:14
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Prayer: May you rest tonight in the truth that God fearfully and wonderfully made you.
6. Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Prayer: May your mind be filled with God’s peace as you trust in Him, and may that peace fill your heart as you sleep.
7. Psalm 91:11
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Prayer: May God’s angels watch over you tonight and keep you safe in all your ways.
8. Psalm 127:2
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Prayer: May the Lord grant you sweet rest, for you are His beloved, and He gives you peaceful sleep.
9. Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Prayer: May you find rest in Jesus tonight, for He invites you to come to Him and be refreshed.
10. Psalm 23:1-2
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Prayer: May the Lord, your Shepherd, lead you to rest and refreshment tonight, bringing peace to your soul.
11. Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Prayer: May you sleep in peace, knowing that God is your refuge and strength, always present to help you.
12. Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: May the peace of God guard your heart and mind tonight as you rest in Christ Jesus.
13. Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Prayer: May you put your trust in God if any fear comes into your heart tonight, for He will keep you safe.
14. Psalm 16:8
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Prayer: May you always keep the Lord before you, and may His presence bring you strength and security tonight.
15. Psalm 37:7
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way.
Prayer: May you be still before the Lord tonight, trusting in His perfect timing and resting in His peace.
16. Psalm 34:7
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Prayer: May the angel of the Lord encamp around you tonight, protecting and delivering you from all harm.
17. Isaiah 54:10
“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Prayer: May you rest in the steadfast love of the Lord, knowing that His peace will never depart from you.
18. Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Prayer: May you sleep peacefully tonight, knowing that God has good plans for your future, filled with hope.
19. Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Prayer: May you sleep courageously tonight, knowing that the Lord your God is with you and will never leave you.
20. Psalm 121:2-3
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Prayer: May you rest securely, knowing that your help comes from the Lord, who never sleeps and always watches over you.
21. 2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Prayer: May God fill your heart with courage, love, and strength as you rest tonight.
22. 1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Prayer: May you release all your worries to God, knowing He cares for you deeply.
23. Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love.
Prayer: May you feel God’s presence and love quiet your heart as you sleep.
24. John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Prayer: May the peace of Jesus fill your heart and mind as you rest tonight.
25. Romans 8:38-39
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Prayer: May you sleep peacefully, knowing that nothing can separate you from God’s love.
26. 1 John 4:4
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Prayer: May you rest in the truth that God in you is greater than anything you may face.
27. Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.
Prayer: May your strength be renewed as you rest in the Lord tonight.
28. Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Prayer: May Christ’s peace fill your heart and bring you comfort tonight.
29. Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Prayer: May you sleep without fear, knowing that the Lord is your light and salvation.
30. Exodus 33:14
My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Prayer: May you find true rest in the presence of the Lord tonight.
31. Jude 1:24-25
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy…
Prayer: May you rest in the assurance that God is watching over you and will keep you safe.
These simple prayers are a beautiful way to create a peaceful bedtime routine for your children. Even if you feel exhausted at the end of the day, speaking God’s Word over them can be a powerful way to bring comfort, security, and peace to their hearts.
May your bedtime moments be filled with love, rest, and God’s presence!
