What does a Pope pray before bed? Pope Francis’ bedtime prayer is one that we can all easily incorporate into our nightly routine. With the beautiful simplicity of this prayer, we can teach our children to come before the Cross of Christ and meditate on what He has done for us.
“In the evening before going to bed, I pray this short prayer: ‘Lord, if you want, you can make me clean.’ And I pray five Our Fathers one for each of the wounds of Christ because Jesus cleansed us with his wounds.”
– Pope Francis
If you have young children, begin by just adding “Lord, If you want, you can make me clean” to your bedtime prayer. Slowly add an Our Father until you are able to build up to saying five each night. With time, you can explain to your children what the Our Fathers represent. Having a crucifix for your children to gaze upon will help them to understand the significance of these prayers.
Pope Francis Bedtime Prayer
Praying with children can be difficult, but remember it is well worth the time and effort we put into it. Each time that we bring our children into the presence of the Lord, blessings, and graces will come. Use our recommended resources below to help you learn some practical tips that will make praying with your children easier.
Resources for Praying with Children
A Parent Who Prays: A Journal to Guide You in Praying for Your Children by Katie Warner
This journal will guide you in learning how to pray for your children, which is the first step in learning to pray with your children. When we pray for our children we ask God to be the guide during our times of prayer and we invite the Holy Spirit to fill our children with a Spirit of obedience.
