Bedtime affirmations

I’ve never trained for the Iron Man marathon but I have put children down to bed before.

Nov 04, 2025

I’ve never trained for the Iron Man marathon but I have put children down to bed before.

There is focus. Planning. Strategy. Self control. Speed and agility. When something breaks or falters, you re-plan, re-strategize, get re-focused.

It’s the hard work of your choice and the finish line is always rewarding.

I want to share a routine I’ve been doing with my 5 and 3 yr olds this year. This isn’t a “hack” to make bedtime easier, but it won’t make it harder either. This routine is simply one way to be intentional about adding scripture into your routines.

Here it is: As you’re doing back and arm scratches, speak Biblical affirmations over them, using their names.

You’re most likely already doing doing back and arm scratches every night (or “tickles” as my children call them… they used to say “pickles!”🥹)… so simply add these affirmations as you do the scratches, instead of talking or just being silent!

What this looks like in our routine:

[name] is a Child of God.
[name] is made in the image of God.
[name] is fearfully and wonderfully made.
[name] is God’s workmanship.
God has plans for [name].
God has a purpose for [name].
God loves [name] so much he gave you his son Jesus.
Jesus loves [name] so much he died for [name]’s sins.
Now [name] has access to God!
[name] can talk to God any time of day! God always hears [name]’s prayers!
God answers [name]’s prayers!
God sent [name] his Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit lives in [name]’s heart!
The Holy spirit helps [name].
The Holy Spirit guides [name].
[name] is holy. [name] is forgiven, redeemed, righteous.
[name] has the fear of the Lord.
[name] is clothed in humility and purity.
[name] is loved with an everlasting love.

What I say varies every night, but that is the gist.

Other ways you can speak affirmations / life over your child:

Pick scripture. Work your child’s name into a passage. For example, Psalm 23. “The Lord is [name]’s shepherd. [name] shall not want. The Lord makes [name] lie down in green pastures, leads [name] besides still waters.” This is also a great way to practice what you’ve memorized!
Pick a growth area. Patience and gentleness are big growth areas in my house, hehe. After a particular rough day of sibling conflict, I like to speak life into this area. “God made [name] with gentle hands. [name] is gentle. [name] is patient. The Holy Spirit helps [name] grow in gentleness and patience.”
Pick a topic. Choose a topic your child needs that day:
- Love. Speak over your child: Romans 8 (Nothing can separate [name] from the love of God), Ephesians 3 (how wide, how long, how high, how deep is the love of Christ). 1 Corinthians 13 (God loves [name] with a love that is patient, kind, slow to anger..).
- Quieting negative thoughts. Speak over your child: 2 Corinthians 10:5 (capture thoughts). Philippians 4 (whatever is pure, holy, noble, excellent..). Colossians 3 (set heart on things above). Romans 8 (whoever walks in the spirit has their mind on things of the spirit..).
- Fear. Speak over your child: 1 Timothy (for God did not give us a spirit of fear..), Joshua 1:9 (do not be afraid or discouraged..), Isaiah 43 (do not be afraid, when you pass thru the waters I’ll be with you..).
God’s attributes. God loves you no matter what. God forgives you no matter what. God is always with you, he is omnipresent. He knows all, he is omniscient. He is all powerful, he is omnipotent. God is in control of everything, he is sovereign … etc.
Gospel focus. This is basically what I do, written above.

The key to these affirmations is using their name in them. I believe the combination of these affirmations + their name helps them internalize these thoughts, believe them, and understand their identity in Christ.

The point isn’t to change their behavior necessarily, but to introduce them to important Biblical concepts and truths.

And remember, the word doesn’t return void!!!!!!!

There is no such thing as “too young” to talk or learn about Jesus. Littles can’t pray or read the Bible on their own and it is a responsibility and privilege of every parent to bring the Holy Spirit into their lives via song, stories, prayer, and conversation—with our words and actions.

I totally get that bedtimes can be just as difficult and tumultuous as they can be sweet and rewarding. We skip this step sometimes, but we’ve done it consistently enough that now they say, “Do child of God!” instead of, “Do tickles.”

I am hopeful something is resonating in their little spirits.

Good luck in your bedtime routines!

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

Thank you for reading!