Child's Prayer

[Caedmon]

Can anyone tell me the name and/or origin of this prayer for children?

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take.
If I should live to future days,
I pray Thee, Lord, to guide my ways.

Thanks for the assistance.

 

[AngelAmidala]

I don't know...but I said a variation on that for the longest time!!

Wow....

 

[isshinwhat]

I think they're all variations of this 17th Century English prayer...

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Bless the bed that I lie on
Before I lay me down to sleep
I give my soul to the Lord to keep

Four corners to my bed
Four Angels there aspread
Two to foot and two to head
And four to carry me when I'm dead

I go by sea, I go by land
The Lord made me with His right hand
If any danger come to me
Sweet Jesus shall deliver me

He's the branch and I'm the flower
Pray Lord, send me a happy hour
And if I should die before I wake
I pray The Lord my soul shall take

From that comes...

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
bless the bed that I lie on.
Four corners to my bed,
four angels round my head.
One to watch and one to pray,
and two to bear my fears away.

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.

But I'm not certain.  I've heard there were variations of the "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John" prayer which date to the Middle Ages???

God Bless,

Neal

 

[Avila]

Huh, I don't know. Tommy and I say another variation on that

"Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
Guide me safely through the night
And wake me with Thy morning light"

I've also heard a couple of other beautiful versions, but my memory is failing me. I like the original, though. It is neat!

 

[sklippstein]

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.

This is the only version I am familiar with, never heard the others before.

 

[Annabel Lee]

Originally posted by sklippstein
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.

This is the only version I am familiar with, never heard the others before.

I always had a problem with that one as a small child.
The thought of dying before I woke was too much for me. My mother took pity on me and taught me this one.....

Angel of God, My Guardian dear
To Whom God's love commits me here.
Ever this day be at my side
To light and guide, to rule and guard.
Amen.

 

[sklippstein]

Annabel :Angel of God, My Guardian dear
To Whom God's love commits me here.
Ever this day be at my side
To light and guide, to rule and guard.
Amen.


I like it !!