Pagan Bedtime Prayers for Kids
Monday May 12, 2008
Reader Smokeybones writes: Help! My nine-year-old son spent the night at a friend's and apparently the friend said a prayer before bedtime. Now my son wants to pray before he goes to bed, but I don't have any idea what he can say. Is it okay for him to do this even though our family isn't really big on praying? Any suggestions?
First of all, congratulations - your child has reached the age where he's about to figure out that other families are different than yours. And as much as they like to be individuals, kids also want to do what other kids are doing, and that's okay. If praying before bed is something that makes your child feel good, then by all means, go ahead and let him. Some Pagan and Wiccan kids like to pray to the family's god or goddess, but others prefer a less specific sort of thing (my daughter recites a litany of saying goodnight to her blankets, our pets, and the moon). At this age, it's mostly the activity of praying that is important to them. Here are a few you may want to try, and if your family has a specific god or goddess you honor, feel free to substitute their names and attributes where appropriate: Pagan Bedtime Prayers for Children.
First of all, congratulations - your child has reached the age where he's about to figure out that other families are different than yours. And as much as they like to be individuals, kids also want to do what other kids are doing, and that's okay. If praying before bed is something that makes your child feel good, then by all means, go ahead and let him. Some Pagan and Wiccan kids like to pray to the family's god or goddess, but others prefer a less specific sort of thing (my daughter recites a litany of saying goodnight to her blankets, our pets, and the moon). At this age, it's mostly the activity of praying that is important to them. Here are a few you may want to try, and if your family has a specific god or goddess you honor, feel free to substitute their names and attributes where appropriate: Pagan Bedtime Prayers for Children.
Comments
I saw this one on a friend’s page and really liked it.
Now I lay me down to rest
I pray that all the world be blessed
Lady Moon and Sister Star watch over me from afar
Mother Earth is always there
And keeps me safe within her care
The Lord of Dreams will dance and sing
And happy dreams to me will bring
And when I wake to greet the day
Brother Sun will light my way.
He said he did not know who wrote it, but after a google search I found the author to be Kitty Degler.
Aylwyn, what a lovely prayer!
My daughter loves to say something a bedtime too. Can’t wait to teach her this prayer.
(I still remember the awful “if I should die before I wake” and the fear that went along with that.)
I’m not sure if this will help. I don’t have children myself, but I ran across this a few years ago and thought it was very sweet.
The Childs Rede
———— —
Oh Gracious Goddess, Mother Earth,
I call to Thee with love and mirth,
Oh Horn-ed Hunter of the night,
I pray to Thee; show me thy light
As my heart grows strong
Teach me right from wrong,
Keep me safe
Keep me warm
So none will I harm,
So I will be
One with thee
As my will
So mote it be!
-Author Unknown
I would love to find some child friendly morning and dinner prayers as well.
Caroline, you might like some of the mealtime blessings I’ve posted here: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/prayersandincantations/a/Food_Blessing.htm
patti
Merry Meet!
I am so glad I could find these. They are beautiful. Can’t wait to use one tonight when my 3 year old goes to bed. I’m still trying to teach her that witches aren’t what the tv says they are.
i learned this prayer when i was young i don’t know who wrote it but it teaches children to raise a protection spell for sleep…
o golden light
o silver light
please weave your web around me and protect me through the night…
my day is done
my nights’ begun
my dreams before me are found
i sleep in peace of light
my perfect circle bound…
goddess bless