I suspect many a parent has been concerned with the bedtime prayer that they put their children to bed with each night
and many a child has worried with the thoughts that the quasi-morbid prayer conjures up.
The standard prayer goes something like like this ...
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Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take
Amen
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Who wants to drift off to sleep with the thought of death and soul snatching?
Remember, this is a child's prayer and few small children have a full comprehension of the religious beliefs behind the words.
So what would be better?
A child's prayer must be simple and yet still inspire a feeling of connection with a supreme being that will watch over them while they sleep.
I think the prayer that follows is not only better, but has the added bonus of being appropriate for a broad range of belief systems.
See if you don't agree ...
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I, Thy Child forever, play
About Thy knees at close of day;
Within Thy arms I now shall creep
And learn Thy wisdom while I sleep.
Amen.
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This alternative prayer offered by Patience Worth, channeled via Ouija board to Pearl Curran
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