Teaching children to pray in the morning is a wonderful way to start their day with God, setting a positive tone and reminding them of His presence and love [1]. These prayers are often simple, expressing gratitude for a new day and asking for God's blessing and guidance.

Traditional Morning Prayer 1:
"Good morning, Lord Jesus, this day is for you. Please bless everything I think, say, and do. Amen." [2]

This prayer is concise and easy for young children to memorize. It dedicates the child's thoughts, words, and actions to Jesus.

Traditional Morning Prayer 2 (from Compassion UK):
"Father God I thank you for this new day. I thank you that you love me and are with me today. Amen." [1]

This prayer focuses on thankfulness for the new day and God's love and presence.

A Child's Morning Prayer (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America):
"Lord Jesus, I thank You for the gift of this new day. When You came to earth for us, You grew as a child in wisdom and grace. As Lord, You received children in Your arms. You blessed them and said that Your kingdom belongs to them. Dear Jesus, receive me also on this day and hear my morning prayer. Bless my parents, teachers, and all those who love and care for me. Bless me, also, and protect me from danger and evil. Give me strength to be truthful, honest, kind, and helpful to others. Guide me to grow as a member of Your kingdom. You are my Lord and King, and to You I give praise and thanks forever." [5]

This prayer is more detailed, suitable for older children. It recalls Jesus' own childhood and His love for children, and includes petitions for oneself and others.

Bedtime prayers help children reflect on their day, seek forgiveness, and entrust themselves to God's care through the night [1]. These prayers often bring comfort and peace.

"Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep":
"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. Amen." [2]

This is perhaps one of the most classic and well-known children's bedtime prayers in the English-speaking world. It’s simple, rhythmic, and easy for children to learn.

A slightly longer version found in some traditions:
"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 for other days, I pray the Lord to guide my ways."

The mention of death can be sensitive for some children, so parents should use discretion. Many modern adaptations omit this part or rephrase it.

Adapted version from Ministry-to-Children:
"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Guardian Angels are near me, so I will not fear. I pray for peace and rest tonight, and for all those who are struggling. Amen.” [7]

This version emphasizes angelic protection and intercession for others.

"Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild":
"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, Look upon a little child; Pity my simplicity, Suffer me to come to Thee. Amen." [7]

This prayer, attributed to Charles Wesley, emphasizes Jesus' gentleness and a child's humble approach to Him.

Bedtime Prayer from Compassion UK:
"Father God I thank you for being with me today. I thank you that you were alongside me in everything I faced today. Please help me in the week ahead. I thank you that you will never leave me. Amen." [1]

Mealtime blessings are short prayers of thanks for food and God's provision [2]. They cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

Traditional Mealtime Blessing 1:
"God is great, God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. By His hands, we are fed. Thank you, Lord, for our daily bread. Amen." [2]

This rhyming prayer is very common and easy for children to learn and recite together.

Traditional Mealtime Blessing 2 (from SplashLearn, adapted from E. Rutter Leatham):
"Thank you, God, for the world so sweet, Thank you, God, for the food we eat, Thank you, God, for the birds that sing, Thank you, God, for everything. Amen." [6]

This prayer expands gratitude beyond just food to the broader creation.

These prayers invoke God's protection and guidance in a child's life, acknowledging His sovereignty and care [1].

"Angel of God, My Guardian Dear":
"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here; ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen." [2, 7]

This prayer, rooted in the Catholic tradition of guardian angels, is a plea for angelic protection and guidance. It can be adapted for morning ("ever this day") or evening ("ever this night").

Prayer for Protection (from SplashLearn):
"Dear God, I know that You are my protector. You watch over me each day. Please keep me safe from harm. I know that You are always with me, And I trust in Your care. Amen." [6]

Some prayers and songs have become timeless classics, deeply embedded in Christian tradition for children [3, 7].

The Lord's Prayer (Traditional Version for Children):
"Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen." (Matthew 6:9-13, KJV adaptation) [2, 6, 7]

The Lord's Prayer is the quintessential Christian prayer taught by Jesus Himself. This version uses traditional language often taught to children. Families can also use modern translations. "Teach us to pray..." (Luke 11:1).

"Jesus Loves Me" (Poem/Song by Anna Bartlett Warner):
"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!" [3, 7]

Originally a poem, this became one of the most popular Christian children's songs. It reinforces the foundational truth of Jesus' love. "Let the little children come to me..." (Matthew 19:14).

Praying Scripture is a powerful way to align our prayers with God's will and promises [1]. These can be adapted for children.

The Aaronic Blessing (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." [1]

This ancient blessing is a beautiful prayer for God's favor, presence, and peace upon children.

Prayer for Guidance (Psalm 25:4-5):
"Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long." [1]

A prayer asking God to teach His ways and lead in His truth, suitable for older children beginning to make more independent decisions.

The Church of England and the Book of Common Prayer offer rich resources for prayers related to family life, which can be adapted [4, 8].

A Prayer for Family Life (adapted from The Church of England):
"God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." [8]

This prayer asks for strength and God's presence in family life, reflecting on Jesus' own experience in a human family.

For a New Baby (from The Church of England):
"God our creator, we thank you for the gift of this child, entrusted to our care. May we be patient and understanding, ready to guide and to forgive, so that through our love he/she may come to know your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." [8]

A prayer of thanksgiving for a new baby and for wisdom in parenting.

The Serenity Prayer (Reinhold Niebuhr, adaptable for older children/teens):
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference." [6]

This well-known prayer is excellent for teaching acceptance, courage, and discernment, particularly useful for older children and teenagers facing challenges.