I would like to start my daughter (who is almost 4) to start saying her prayers before bedtime?

Question

But, the "now I lay me down to sleep " prayer is a bit scary in tone in my opinion. Any suggestions?

A variation on "now I lay me down to sleep" is to begin her prayers ... then she could say her own prayers to follow

Answer 1

Have her pray in her own words.....prayers should be personal not routine.

Answer 2

I have a teddy bear for my son that says the "now I lay me down to sleep" prayer, but it's different then I remember, I think they decided it was a little morbid too. The new version goes like this :
now i lay me down to sleep,
i pray the lord my soul to keep,
may angels watch me through the night,
and keep me in their heavenly light,
amen.

that might be a little less scary.
the best way to start out would probably just be to say things like "bless mommy and daddy and sister and brother, etc."
although what you really want is for her to be close to God, not just good at memorization. Just let her talk to him and say whatever she wants, "I had a nice day today God, thank you, dinner was very good" and so on.
worry about the pretty poems and prayers later.

Answer 3

They've updated the "Now I lay me down to sleep" version.

One version I've heard recently:

Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
As I start another day
I pray the Lord to guide my way.

Another:

Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
When in the morning light I wake,
Show me the path of love to take.


Personally, though, there is something wonderful about listening to the off-the-cuff prayers of a four-year-old. I would suggest allowing her to pray on her own, and then the two of you together can recite a traditional children's prayer, or the Lords Prayer. Use the opportunity to let her know that praying is talking to God, and that He listens when she talks. Yes, she may pray for things like a bicycle, or for a little kid in her class to not be mean, but don't we as adults pray for similar things, grown-up style?

Answer 4

I have 3 that I use nightly with my 2 1/2 year old. He is just now starting to say them with me.

"Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
The Angels watch me through the night
And Guide me with the Morning light."

part 2 of the prayer is the chorus from the Book "Love you forever"
"I will love you forever,
I will like you for always.
As long as I am living,
My baby you will be."

Then for a closing"
I see the Moon,
The Moon sees me
God Bless the Moon
And God Bless Me!" Amen

Answer 5

We started with both of ours just thanking God for the day and different things and they pick up on that. My son prayers every night for my daughter to do good on her spelling test. You can change the now I lay me down to sleep I've heard it another way. Good luck

Answer 6

My almost 4 year old and I started prayers about 2 years ago. We learned the Our father, and Hail Mary. Then she says her "God Bless.." and she names everyone she wants God to bless.
It's not routine to teach the prayers we were taught as children. But I think it's important for her to know what praying is for. That's why I let her choose (with some guidance) who she is praying for.
Good luck

Answer 7

What a beautiful bonding time for you two and G-d. I think it is a great idea...my kids and I said and still say bedtime prayers. When they were little, we would that G-d for the day and our family. We would ask for blessings for the next day and for blessings for family members. It is a wonderful way to end each day. I would also bless and pray over them before we would leave the house each morning. I still pray for them each morning and night.

Answer 8

just tell her to talk to the lord and pray for people who she loves
Praying with your child is an excellent way to teach them how to pray themselves. Prayer is talking to God, and a prayer is a good guide to help you for when you don't know what to say.

Praying before going to bed is a great tradition many families implement with their children. However, you can pray with your children anytime of day. Explain to them prayer is a conversation with God, and it is nothing to fear.
Children like to pray before going to sleep. Say this prayer with your child each night before going to bed.

There are four corners on my bed, There are four angels at my head. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Bless the bed I sleep on. hope that helps good luck!

Answer 9

That's very sweet. I still say prayers with my daughter and she's almost 11 now. It's a good bed time moment.

Answer 10

You don't have to recite a rote prayer. Have her thank God for the day and pray for her parents and brothers and sisters and ask to have a good night's sleep.

Answer 11

why don't you just let her start praying about real life rather than reciting something. if she says the same prayer every night, it will just become something habitual and meaningless.

i suggest to start by thanking God for something and praying for someone/situation each night. i think it is good when both the parent and the child prays. take turns. lead by example.

example: thank you that we had fun at the zoo today and please help grandma's foot to feel better. simple, yet it actually matters.