Morning and Evening Prayers for Children

Morning Prayer. ¹

O God, Heavenly Father! Thou hast permitted us again, after the rest of the night, to awake refreshed and in health. Thou hast given us this new day in order that we may glorify Thee in holiness of life. Assist us by the help of Thy grace. Thou hast also during the past night graciously preserved us from all evil, and for this we thank Thee heartily through Jesus Christ, our blessed Saviour. To-day we are resolved to live as good children; we will be on our guard not to do anything evil. We will beware of disobedience to our parents, of seeking after delicacies, of telling lies, and of quarrelling, fighting, wrangling, and disputing with other children and among ourselves. We will be diligent and industrious in studying and working, and devout in our prayers, and often during the day we shall think of Thee, O God! Then we will be pleasing to Thee, our good Father, and Thou, our dear Saviour, wilt rejoice over us. Living thus, we will come one day to Thee in heaven. How great a happiness will we there enjoy with Thee! Yes, we will live as pious children. But, beloved Father, we cannot do so alone; help must come from Thee. Assist us; then we will keep our promise. Amen.

O Jesus, divine Saviour, how much Thou didst love children whilst upon earth! And now also Thou lovest ardently good children. When still a child, how good and pious Thou wast, how obedient to Thy parents, how devout in the temple, how diligent and industrious! Oh, help us, that we, too, may become good children like Thee. O Jesus, we love Thee with all our hearts. Grant that we may love Thee more and more. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

O Mary, Mother of our dear Saviour, Thou who art our Mother, pray to Thy beloved Son for us, and obtain for us grace that we may become good children like Thy Child Jesus.

Hail Mary, etc.

O ye holy Guardian Angels, ye holy Patrons, whose names we bear; ye holy children, and all ye Saints, intercede for us! Intercede for us, that we may live so as to join at last your holy company in heaven. Amen.

O God and Father, we pray to Thee also for our dear parents. Oh, give also to them this day grace to do what is good; guard them against all evil; grant unto them what is profitable for them. We pray to Thee also for all those whom we love, and for all Christians; yes, for all men. Give to all, O God, what is good, and preserve them from all evil. Amen.

Evening Prayer.

O God, Heavenly Father, another day has passed away. Thou hast preserved us in health and strength. Meat and drink, whatsoever has caused us pleasure to-day, and all things which we have received, are Thy gift. O most bountiful and good Father, Thou hast also given us grace to do good and to avoid evil. O best and kindest Father, we thank Thee from the bottom of our hearts for all these things. But the best thanksgiving we can make is to do Thy will in all things; and this we resolve to do by Thy help.

But have we to-day been good and pious in every respect? [A little pause for reflection.] Alas! we have to-day again committed faults and sins, and we have offended Thee, dearest Father, and Thee, divine Saviour! We are heartily sorry for what we have done which has been displeasing to Thee. We promise Thee again that to-morrow we will be more careful. Give us Thy help, that we may keep our promise. Amen.

Now we lay ourselves down to rest. Guard us, Heavenly Father. Let Thy dear angels keep watch over us and preserve us from all evil.

Our Father.

O Holy Virgin Mary, help of Christians, we recommend ourselves also to Thy motherly care and protection. Abandon us not! Recommend us to Thy divine Son. Show that Thou art our Mother.

Hail Mary.

We pray to Thee, O God, Heavenly Father, also for all those whom we love; for our beloved parents, for our brothers and sisters, for our relations; we pray to Thee for all Christians, especially for those who are in need and danger, for the poor suffering souls in Purgatory, and for all men. Help them and conduct them all to Thyself in heaven. Amen.

When taking Holy Water before Retiring.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. In the name of Jesus, I lie down to sleep. O Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I recommend myself to you. Amen.

Before Meals.

O God, the food which we are now going to take is Thy gift. We thank Thee for it. Bless it and give us Thy grace, that we may be temperate in eating and receive it with a thankful heart. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

After Meals.

We thank Thee, O God, for the gifts which we have just received. We thank Thee for all the good things which Thou dost so unceasingly give to us. Through the nourishment which we have just taken, Thou hast again refreshed us for Thy service. Help us by Thy grace always faithfully to conform to it. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

1. In the instructive part we have recommended that the mother should make her children say their prayers in her presence, or in common with her, in the morning and evening. Here may be found prayers for this purpose. Christian mothers, gather your little ones around you, or, kneeling before a crucifix, pray with them. It will be of great advantage also to read these prayers slowly from time to time with the children, in order to explain them. This will cause them to pray with more devotion.