10 Heartwarming Christmas Prayers for Kids

Prayer reminds us that God is always near and listening. During the busyness of the Christmas season, making time for praying with your children helps them remember God’s nearness, and how God came to be with us that first Christmas.

Here are ten meaningful Christmas prayers for kids you can use with your family this year.

Some of my fondest memories are sitting at my grandparent’s kitchen table and listening to my grandfather read the daily Scripture passage and lead us in prayer.

Maybe your family traditionally reads the Christmas story each year. Adding a few Christmas prayers to your holiday season provides opportunities to plant seeds of faith that will continue to grow each passing year.

The Blessings of Christmas Through a Child’s Prayer

Maybe your family traditionally reads the Christmas story each year. I memorized the Christmas story from Luke 2 when I was 12 years old, and I can still recall the passage. Adding a few Christmas prayers to your holiday traditions provides opportunities to plant seeds of faith that will continue to grow each passing year.

10 Christmas Prayers for Kids

Use these holiday prayers with your children to make this season meaningful as you focus on the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

1. Morning Prayer on Christmas

Precious Babe of Bethlehem,

Gift of love to everyone,

Oh, our Savior, Lord, and King–

May we all your praises sing! Amen.

Gather your family around the nativity scene and say this prayer together on Christmas morning.

2. Prayer for Family Love and Togetherness

May the grace of Christ, our Savior,

And the Father’s endless love,

With the Holy Spirit’s favor,

Rest upon us from above.

That we may live as one,

With each other and the Lord

And enjoy when day is done,

Our family all in one accord. Amen.

Join hands together in a circle, and have each person say a line from this prayer. Talk about how your family can seek and share God’s love and live in a spirit of unity. Or share this prayer as your family gathers for Christmas dinner.

3. Prayer for Peace and Kindness

Dear God above, guide us with your light,

We ask for peace for all, day and night.

Teach us kindness, let love abide,

In all we do, put fear aside.

Let us welcome all with your love,

And share your kindness from above.

Through your Son, show us the way,

To share your peace every day.

Amen.

The Bible tells us in John 15:4 that we will bear fruit if we abide in Christ. Peace and kindness are among the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.”

This prayer would be great for a Sunday School class to read together or as part of worship on a Sunday in December.

4. Gratitude Prayer for Christmas Blessings

Dear God in Heaven, so kind and true,

At this Christmas time, we thank you.

For gifts beneath the tree so tall,

And for the greatest gift of all.

For family laughter, warm and bright,

And stars that twinkle in the night.

For cookies baked and songs we sing,

For the joy that Christmas brings.

Thank you for our friends so dear,

For hugs, for smiles, for love sincere.

For snowflakes falling soft and light,

And for your presence, shining bright.

Thank you, God, for Christmas Day,

For blessings sent in every way.

Help us share your love, so true,

And spread your joy the whole year through.

Amen.

We often focus on gratitude during November, but December is also an excellent month to count our blessings. Make a blessing jar during December with a canning jar and some craft sticks.

Take time at the end of each day to write down a blessing or moment of thankfulness on a craft stick. Then, during the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, read through the blessings you recorded.

5. Prayer for Helping Others

Onward go the sunbeams,

Shining all the day;

Looking down upon us,

Now they seem to say:

Let your smile be cheerful,

Ever warm and bright,

Make the hearts around you

Happy with its light.

Hearts and hands to Je­sus,

Gladly we will give,

In the path we follow,

Walking while we live;

Cheering on the sad ones,

Lifting those that fall,

Shining like the sunbeams,

Doing good to all.

Words from a hymn by Fanny Crosby

The words from a hymn by Fanny Crosby can be spoken as a prayer to encourage us to offer our hearts and hands to Jesus to help others. Consider adopting a needy family, baking cookies for a lonely neighbor, or sharing a smile with the delivery person at your door.

The words from this hymn work well for a Sunday School or preschool class craft using painted handprints.

6. Bedtime Prayer for Christmas Eve

Loving Father, 

Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, 

     the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. 

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. 

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. 

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, 

     and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. 

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, 

     and Christmas evening bring us to our beds 

     with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, 

     for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson

May this prayer from Robert Louis Stevenson allow you to pause in anticipation of gifts to reflect on the first Christmas. Let us offer kindness with every gift we give and pray for God’s best for everyone we meet.

7. Prayer for Children Around the World

Dear Father in Heaven, hear our plea,

For children everywhere, we pray to thee.

Guide them with love, through night and day,

Keep them safe, in your arms they’ll stay.

May kindness surround them, wherever they roam,

And in their hearts, let hope find its home.

Bless the children, from every land,

Hold them close, in your gentle hand.

May they know peace, may they know grace,

And in your light, let them see your face.

Amen.

Children across the street and the world need our prayers for kindness, peace, and hope. As you choose to share this prayer with your children, remind them that God loves and cares for each one of us wherever we may live.

8. Christmas Blessings

May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, 

     the obedience of Joseph, 

     the joy of the angels, 

     the eagerness of the shepherds, 

     the determination of the magi, 

     and the peace of the Christ child. 

Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.

As we consider all characters in the Christmas story, this prayer helps us consider their thoughts and feelings during this wondrous event. Which character matches your thoughts and feelings the best? Share your answer with a comment below.

9. Prayer for Love and Sharing

Wonderful God, who shared your light with us through your Son,

Kindle the same light in our hearts that we may share your love.

Cause your light to shine through us, so our world will see you.

My favorite part of the Christmas season as a child was sitting in the dark with the sparkling lights of the Christmas tree. We always had multi-colored lights that glowed with a halo of color around each bulb. As you read this prayer with your family, consider how your sparkle or glow can shine God’s love and light to those you meet.

This prayer could be printed on a gift tag and added to a paper craft candle.

Toilet Roll Candles {kids craft}

10. New Year’s Day Prayer

God of new beginnings,
    you wipe away our tears
    and call us to care for one another.
Give us eyes to see your gifts,
    hearts to embrace all creation,
    and hands to serve you every day of our lives.
We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Source – Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.

As we begin a new year, speaking these words to God reminds us that we serve a God of new beginnings. The new year allows us to dream new dreams, make new plans, and discover new ways to serve.

Instead of writing New Year’s Resolutions, make a Christian dream board instead. What are your visions for the new year? Share your answer with a comment below.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Prayer & Children

We often think of Christmas carols and the nativity story as traditional Christmas traditions. Adding some specific types and times of prayer will enrich your traditions and your children’s Christmas memories. Each prayer can add spiritual depth to the meaning of Christmas for your children.

How has prayer been a prayer been a part of your family’s Christmas traditions? Share a story in the comments below.

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