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For most kids, their day may begin with a flurry of activities as they get dressed and run to school for classes and extracurricular activities. Morning prayer for kids, whether taught at school or home, can help them relax as they begin their day.
Morning prayer sessions at school help children connect with God and provide positivity and peace of mind. Praying also helps us express our devotion and faith in God and leaves us with a sense of joy that lasts for the rest of the day.
Anna Bruce, a mother, encourages her children to pray regularly. She has taken the task upon herself to show them the way of the Lord and says, “When they’re scared, we pray for them. When they’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed or scared, we encourage them to go to the Lord and pray to the Lord about it (i).”
Teaching children to pray can instill values of gratitude, compassion, and mindfulness, which are tools that can help them handle life’s challenges. Here are some simple morning prayers for children that you can teach them.
15 Morning Prayers For Kids
1. Angel of God
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this day,
Be at my side,
To light and guard,
To rule and guide.
Amen.
2. All Through the Day
The morning bright
With rosy light
Has wakened me from my sleep;
Father, I own
Thy love alone
Thy little one doth keep.
All through the day,
I humbly pray,
Be Thou my Guard and Guide;
My sins forgive
And let me live,
Blest Jesus, near Thy side.
Amen.
Research finds3. Thank and Pray and Praise
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In the early morning,
With the sun’s first rays.
All God’s little children
Thank and pray and praise.
I, too, thanks would offer,
Jesus, Shepherd dear,
For Thy tender pasture,
For Thy guiding care.
And I would implore Thee,
Be with me this day,
Lest I from Thee wander,
Into danger stray.
Amen.
Quick fact4. Morning Offering
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world.
I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, the reparation for sins, the reunion of all Christians,
I offer them for the intentions of our Bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.
Amen.
5. The Prayer of St. Patrick
I arise today through
God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to see before me,
God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to secure me,
against snares of devils,
against temptations and vices,
against inclinations of nature,
against everyone who shall wish me ill,
whether far or near,
alone and in a crowd . . .
Christ, be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit,
Christ where I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of the Christ.
May your salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.
Amen.
6. Thy Glory May I Seek in All
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Whate’er I do, things great or small
Whate’er I speak or frame.
Thy glory may I seek in all,
Do all in Jesus’ name.
My Father, for His sake, I pray.
Thy child accept and bless
And lead me by thy grace to-day
In paths of righteousness.
Amen.
7. Pied Beauty
Glory be to God for dappled things—
For skies of couple-color as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough;
And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; a dazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise Him.
8. Canticle of the Three Youths
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.
You heavens bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.
All you waters above the heavens bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.
All you powers bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
All you winds, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Cold and chill, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Frost and chill, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Hoarfrost and snow, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Nights and days, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Let the earth bless the Lord,
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Everything growing on earth, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
You springs, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
You sea monsters and all water creatures, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
All you mortals, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
O Israel, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.
For he has delivered us from Sheol,
and saved us from the power of death;
He has freed us from the raging flame
and delivered us from the fire.
Give thanks to the Lord, who is good,
whose mercy endures forever.
Bless the God of gods, all you who fear the Lord;
praise and give thanks,
for his mercy endures forever.
9. Things I Am Grateful for Prayer
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Thank you for my family,
For hugs, kisses, and special times together.
Thank you for my friends,
For laughter and chatting and sharing.
Thank you for my home,
For rest times, bath times, and bedtimes.
Thank you for the food,
For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, snacks, and treats.
Thank you for playtimes,
For toys and games and books.
Thank you for the fun,
For giggles and for happy times.
Thank you for making all lovely things
And for helping me enjoy them all.
Amen.
10. Beginning With Thanks
Lord, I begin every day,
By taking a second to bow and pray.
Beginning with thanks, I then give praise.
For all your kind and loving ways.
Today if sunshine turns to rain,
If a dark cloud brings some pain,
I won’t doubt or hide in fear.
For you, my God, is always near.
I will travel wherever you lead;
I will assist my peers who need it.
Wherever you send me, I will go;
With your help, I’ll learn and grow.
Retain my family in your palms,
As we follow your commands.
And I will keep you close in sight.
Until I go to bed tonight.
Amen.
11. Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is error, truth;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Quick fact12. Catholic Morning Prayer For Children
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Dear God, I thank Thee for this day.
Wherever I go,
Whatever I do and see,
I want to spend
This day entirely with Thee.
Please, dear God, come into my heart,
Our day together is already a’start.
Bless me ever and ever again!
I love Thee, dearest God.
Amen.
13. Canticle of Zechariah (Benedictus)
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of His servant David.
Through his holy prophets, he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father, Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
14. Good Morning, Jesus
Jesus, you are good and wise
I will praise you as I rise.
Jesus, hear this prayer that I send
Bless my family and friends.
Jesus, help my eyes to see
The good you send to me.
Jesus, help my ears to hear
The calls for help from far and near.
Jesus, help my feet to go
In the path that You will show.
Jesus, help my hands to do
All things loving, kind, and true.
Jesus, guard me through this day
In all I do and all I say.
Amen.
Amen.
15. A Thank You, Prayer to God
Image: IStock
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this amazing, beautiful world you created.
Help us to care for it.
Thank you for the wonderful, unique people you have
made us be.
Help us to care for each other.
Thank you for the incredible and tasty foods you have
created.
Help us remember and care for those who are
hungry.
Thank you for the inspiring stories and teachings in the
bible.
Help us to share this good news with people
everywhere.
Amen.
Illustration: Daily Morning Prayers For Kids To Learn And Say
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens when my children pray?
Prayer is an intimate communication to a higher power/authority. Children learn to share their innermost thoughts and feelings while praying and form a close relationship with them. As they acknowledge the presence of the Lord, they know through their ritual prayers that God offers blessings.
2. What is the purpose of prayer for my child?
Prayer is a positive and therapeutic activity for your children. They learn to channel all their energy and remove the negativity surrounding them. Prayers can act as a means of personal reflection and meditation. Praying is good behavior that sets the children toward a lifetime of growth and wisdom. They learn to respect, empathize, and behave like a good human being by following the words of the almighty God.
3. What age should children begin morning prayer?
The age at which children begin morning prayer can vary depending on cultural and religious traditions and individual family practices. It is also essential to consider the child’s cognitive and emotional readiness when introducing prayer practices. For young children, prayers can be simple and brief, focusing on gratitude, blessings, or basic concepts of love and protection. Prayers for teenagers can be longer, incorporating more complex language and deeper meanings.
4. Is it important for children to say morning prayers every day?
Prayer is often seen as a means of connecting with a higher power, expressing gratitude, seeking guidance, or reflecting on one’s values and intentions. However, the decision to have children say morning prayers every day should ultimately be based on the family’s beliefs and values and that of the child.
5. How can I teach my children to pray?
Start by explaining the purpose of prayer in simple terms. Encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings. Use examples from the listed prayers to show how they can communicate their gratitude, needs, and hopes to a higher power. Additionally, try to make prayer a part of their morning routine to help them understand its importance.
6. What are some tips for establishing a morning prayer routine for kids?
You may start your own morning prayer routine and invite your children to join you. Use simple language and concepts that children can easily understand, and assign a peaceful and inviting area in your home for morning prayer. Establishing a specific time for morning prayer that works for your family’s schedule is of utmost importance. Make it a part of the daily routine for kids so that they get accustomed to praying regularly.
7. What are some creative ways to incorporate prayer into my child’s daily routine?
You can make prayer time more engaging by using colorful prayer cards. You can also set a specific time for prayer each day to establish a routine and encourage your children to create unique prayers to make daily prayer time exciting.
8. What are the common mistakes that parents make when teaching their kids about morning prayer?
Parents may inadvertently make some common mistakes when teaching their kids about morning prayer. Parents may not establish a regular routine or fail to prioritize prayer as a daily practice. Sometimes parents make the mistake of simply imposing prayer without explaining its significance. They may overlook the importance of allowing their children to personalize their prayers and overwhelm their children with complex prayers or religious terminology.
The need for prayer is not limited to spirituality, long hymns, and complex religious traditions. Prayer can also be a way of being thankful, expressing one’s concerns for someone, or achieving peace of mind. Introducing prayers for children at school or at home can be a meaningful way for them to seek guidance, comfort, and support throughout their day. Teaching your children some morning prayers for kids can help them start their day positively. It may also help them connect with God while praying for strength, the right mindset, and patience to go about their day. Inculcating the habit of praying can be a life-changing experience for your children and help them grow into responsible, humble, and kind individuals.
Key Pointers
- Morning prayer helps children start their day with relaxation and calm before their busy school day of classes and extracurricular activities.
- Introducing prayers to children, either at school or at home, allows them to seek guidance, support, and comfort.
- Teaching morning prayers to children promotes positivity and helps them focus on strength, patience, and spirituality.
- The habit of praying can help children develop a relationship with God and turn into responsible, humble, and kind individuals.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. How to teach the Bible to your kids.https://youtu.be/3F16Nacerso?feature=shared
References
- The Science of Prayer.
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/the-science-of-prayer-2.html - The Mental Health Benefits of Gratitude.
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2020/05/gratitude - Reine C. van der Wal et al.; (2017); Causes and Consequences of Children’s Forgiveness.
https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/Wal_et_al_2017_Causes_and_Consequences_of_Childrens_Forgiveness_.pdf
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