Resources for Unitarian Universalist Parents

Bedtime Blessings

Bedtime is a great time to gently reconnect with your kids and to prepare them to cross the threshold of sleep.  Bedtime rituals are a wonderful way to pass on our beliefs and to help children feel safe and learn empathy. 

We are grateful for the day we have been given, and for all the good things that we have had.  Guard us while we sleep and bless all those we love, now and forever.
~from belief.net

Dear God, thank you for today.
We are sorry if we have been unkind to anyone.
Help us to forgive each other.
Thank you for our family and for our friends.
Please be with us tonight.
~Protestant

Spirit of Life,
it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of spirit.
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done,
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
and new possibilities.
Amen
~ Adapted from the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer

Dear God, grant that this night we may sleep in peace,
And that in the morning our awakening may also be in peace.
Protect us and help us to think and act only out of love.
Keep far from us all evil; keep our paths free from harm.
Amen

Dear God,
Please listen to all those
Who are praying to you now.
Those who are sad and crying,
Those who have lost friends and family.
Those who are alone and frightened
Help them to remember
That you are there
And you are listening
Amen

There are four corners on my bed,
There are four angels at my head,
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
Bless the bed that I sleep on.
~ Christian

Falling to sleep at last
I vow with all beings
To enjoy the dark and the silence
And rest in the vast unknown
~ Buddhist

Dream of angels and flowers and bumblebees,
Stars and seals and sunsets,
And everything good and nice.
~ Paul Venuto

One of the simplest bedtime prayers is for the child to ask God/Spirit to bless each and every person important to him or her.