kids' bedtime blessings

[naturegirl7]

I want to include bedtime blessings/prayers into our bedtime routine - but am not sure where to start. We are very eclectic in our spirituality and do not really associate with any particular religion. We believe in a Divine Force/God - with a mother and father aspect.

Right now we are just thanking God - soometimes mother and father god - for a wonderful day and for each other, sometimes including aspects that were especially wonderful, meaningful, special - and asking God to bless us with the wisdom to continue to recognize the blessings present in our lives.

While I am happy with this - I would like an actual blessing/prayer to include too. I remember the christian/catholic prayers I would say at night, the Hail Mary still has a special significance to me, and want something that will envoke the same sort of feeling, but we don't really want to use any of the ones I used as a child....

Any ideas or blessings/prayers you might share?

[EvansMomma]

We say this one before bed most nights:

The earth is big and fat and round,
I love the sky, the sea and the ground,
I love the birds and dogs and sheep,
and all the animals that fall asleep,
I love the flowers and rocks and trees,
I love the earth, and it loves me.

I just googled "pagan bedtime prayers for kids" and found some cute ones, and picked one that I thought Evan would be able to say fairly easily eventually.

[naturegirl7]

That is super cute - thanks so much!
Didn't even think to google it either LOL

[eastkygal]

We do...

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

We are non-denominational eclectic Christians. Or, us, Jesus, and God.

[wombatclay]

We say:

I see the moon and the moon see's me
I bless the moon and she blesses me

I thank the earth, the sky, the sea
for all the gifts they share with me

and sometimes we'll add:

spirits of the gentle night
dream with me till morning light
dreams of .... (dd1 and dd2 supply what they want to dream about)

when the morning sun shines bright
we'll thank you for a lovely night!

(we usually say this bit while I braid their hair... I "braid the happy dreams" into their hair, and that portion of the blessing keeps them occupied and sitting still while I braid In the morning we take out the braids and I brush out any "fairy knots"... knots left by the fairies to remind them of a lesson learned in a dream or an adventure they had while sleeping... again, it helps them remember their dreams but also keeps them distracted and happy while i get their hair brushed out!)

[Queen of Cups]

My mom made this one up for me when I was little, she thought the traditional one like this was too scary. Now I've taught it to my kids.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord to keep me safe.
Wake me with the morning light,
Always help me to do right.

[justKate]

Originally Posted by Queen of Cups

My mom made this one up for me when I was little, she thought the traditional one like this was too scary. Now I've taught it to my kids.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord to keep me safe.
Wake me with the morning light,
Always help me to do right.

Funny, we had the same issue. My mom's was:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Guide me through the starry night,
And wake me with the morning light.

[pampered_mom]

I've struggled with this a bit lately. When I was growing up I remember the "now I lay me down to sleep..." bit, but am uncomfortable with that for my kids.

I think we might go with something like:

Before I close my eyes tonight
I thank you Lord with all my might
For my friends and neighbors, too
For everyone that's in my school
And keep my family in your heart
And may I remember
We're never apart

I think you could easily change the words up a bit - I know we'll change the "school" bit as that doesn't apply to our family.

My second choice is:

Lord, keep me safe
While dark is the night
And may I awaken
to bright morning lith

But I'm not really sure. I got these from over here.

[philomom]

I pass my hand over my child's head in a circle and say:

Magic circle
safe and sound
'till the morning
sun comes round.

[PatienceAndLove]

We do:

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
Angels guard me through the night
Keep me safe til morning light.

Then the Guardian Angel prayer, and the Hail Mary, followed by a string of "God bless..."

[naturegirl7]

thank you all for sharing! Lots of good ideas. I really enoyed reading them all. we have tried out a few and plus a few I was fiddling with myself, seem to have settled on this simple rhyme - something I am sure we can easily expand upon as he learns it/gets older.

God is with me in the day and night
and helps me walk a path of love and light.

My mom's dog has a stuffed angel that says a nicer version of "now I lay me down to sleep" than I remember as a kid. We may tweek this one as well a bit, but just doesn't resonate for me at the moment.
now I lay me down to sleep,
and pray the lord my soul to keep
may angels watch me thru the night
and keep me in their blessed sight.

thank again - and please keep sharing!

[naturegirl7]

Originally Posted by PatienceAndLove

We do:

Then the Guardian Angel prayer, and the Hail Mary, followed by a string of "God bless..."

what is the guardian angel prayer?

[naturegirl7]

Originally Posted by pampered_mom

:


But I'm not really sure. I got these from over here.

thanks for the prayers and the link - lots of nice ideas there - I kinda like this one too

As I slumber in my bed
Keep my angels overhead
And with the dawning of the day
Angels can then
Watch me play."

and this one too

Golden Light, shining bright,
Always teach me what is right.
Teach me to speak with kindness and care.
Teach me to be willing to share.
Teach me to remember, when playing with others,
That all of us are world sisters and brothers.
Golden Light, shining bright,
Keep our world family safe in Your sight.


and this portion of another one

And when our thoughts are true and bright,
We shine forth our inner light.
Our inner light of God's own love,
Starts shining out on those we love.

[PatienceAndLove]

Originally Posted by naturegirl7

what is the guardian angel prayer?

Angel of God, my guardian dear
to whom God's love commits me here
ever this day, be at my side
to light, to guard, to rule, and to guide.
Amen.

[eurobin]

Originally Posted by naturegirl7

As I slumber in my bed
Keep my angels overhead
And with the dawning of the day
Angels can then
Watch me play."

I like this a lot... I think I'd sub God for angels, but it's so sweet!