Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep..Prayer

JustAnotherThou · #1 Jan 4, '08, 1:08 pm

I have been looking for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep prayer for my niece and nephew. I am specifically looking for a wall hanging. I have seen some versions of this although not the version I grew up with (and I am looking for) that was:

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, if I shall die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take, if I shall live another day, I pray the Lord to guide my way.

My questions are:
Has anyone seen a wall hanging with this prayer?
2nd question I ask because since I have been on here I have learned about soooo many things that have been let go because they don't follow Church doctrine. Is/was there something wrong with this prayer that they decided to let it fade away?

Feanaro's Wife · #2 Jan 4, '08, 1:43 pm

Nothing officially wrong with it that I know of but I won't be using that version for my DD. Kids are very literal and the whole "if I die before I wake" thing leaves many kids fearful of dying in their sleep. I don't want to take that risk with my daughter...... but that's just how I personally feel.

If that is the version you like, how about making a wall hanging (or asking a proficient needlepointer in your parish)?

**mercygate** · #3 Jan 4, '08, 1:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustAnotherThou

I have been looking for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep prayer for my niece and nephew. I am specifically looking for a wall hanging. I have seen some versions of this although not the version I grew up with (and I am looking for) that was:

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, if I shall die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take, if I shall live another day, I pray the Lord to guide my way.

My questions are:
Has anyone seen a wall hanging with this prayer?
2nd question I ask because since I have been on here I have learned about soooo many things that have been let go because they don't follow Church doctrine. Is/was there something wrong with this prayer that they decided to let it fade away?

I think that is theologically one of the strongest prayers ever written. It "faded away" because squeamish weenies of parents thought the mention of death was frightening. I guess it was written in an age where people did frequently die before they woke and people thought their little ones would be consoled to think that they would be taken to the Lord and not to the Devil.

Feanaro's Wife · #4 Jan 4, '08, 1:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercygate

squeamish weenies of parents thought the mention of death was frightening

Hey!

lol

Malia

Lady D I · #5 Jan 4, '08, 1:58 pm

http://www.archangelbooks.com/pages-...ep-plaque.html

I'd like to find a plaque with the version we pray with the kids:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
Angels watch me through the night and
wake me with the morning light. AMEN

The one I found is so close.

JustAnotherThou · #6 Jan 4, '08, 1:59 pm

Mercygate - LOL you gave me the laugh I needed today!!!! THANK YOU!!
I still have problems about how they took Hell out of the Apostles Creed. Although we won't get into that because I am sure I be yelled at by others!

Fernano's Wife - Yeah I have thought I need to get out my cross stitching stuff and just make one.

We learned it when we were little. I don't think it made us anymore fearful of dying than we probably already were. I think all little kids fear or worry about death to a point, as do most adults. I pray everyday that I don't die before my next confession!!! I think I remember our parents used this prayer to teach us about death and dying (among other things). We grew up on a farm though so we had many lessons on death and dying (of livestock, pets, bugs, birds, family, etc.).

surgei · #7 Jan 4, '08, 2:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustAnotherThou

I have been looking for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep prayer for my niece and nephew. I am specifically looking for a wall hanging. I have seen some versions of this although not the version I grew up with (and I am looking for) that was:

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, if I shall die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take, if I shall live another day, I pray the Lord to guide my way.

My questions are:
Has anyone seen a wall hanging with this prayer?
2nd question I ask because since I have been on here I have learned about soooo many things that have been let go because they don't follow Church doctrine. Is/was there something wrong with this prayer that they decided to let it fade away?

I think this prayer is great. It affirms so much of the historical teachings we have as Christians.

JustAnotherThou · #8 Jan 4, '08, 2:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady D I

http://www.archangelbooks.com/pages-...ep-plaque.html

Thank you, just not the words I grew up with and like.

Lady D I · #9 Jan 4, '08, 2:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercygate

It "faded away" because squeamish weenies of parents thought the mention of death was frightening.

Raises hand.

Lady D I · #10 Jan 4, '08, 2:05 pm

Quote:

Thank you, just not the words I grew up with and like.

If I find one in my search, I'll let you know. I've not heard the prayer you shared but you never know.

kage_ar · #11 Jan 4, '08, 2:45 pm

[quote=JustAnotherThou;3155093II still have problems about how they took Hell out of the Apostles Creed. Although we won't get into that because I am sure I be yelled at by others!

[/quote]

Come to my 5th grade CCD class this Sunday, we say the Apostle's Creed and "Hell" is right there

lizaanne · #12 Jan 4, '08, 2:52 pm

Good ol' Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_I_Lay_Me_Down_To_Sleep

I prefer the traditional words. I prayed this for many many years, and even as a teen, and never was "afraid" of death because of it. That's a bunch of phooey.

~Liza

**mercygate** · #13 Jan 4, '08, 2:52 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kage_ar

Come to my 5th grade CCD class this Sunday, we say the Apostle's Creed and "Hell" is right there

O goody. Another subversive. I teach my sixth grade the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be in Latin. Watch your back; won't be long before they catch us.

pprimeau1976 · #14 Jan 4, '08, 2:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady D I

http://www.archangelbooks.com/pages-...ep-plaque.html

I'd like to find a plaque with the version we pray with the kids:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
Angels watch me through the night and
wake me with the morning light. AMEN

The one I found is so close.

My son had a little stuffed bear that we called the Prayer Bear. When you press it's paw, it recites the same poem.

I guess the "die before I wake" part didn't do well in the focus groups.

Feanaro's Wife · #15 Jan 4, '08, 2:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizaanne

Good ol' Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_I_Lay_Me_Down_To_Sleep

I prefer the traditional words. I prayed this for many many years, and even as a teen, and never was "afraid" of death because of it. That's a bunch of phooey.

~Liza

It may be "phooey" to you but ask the parents of the kids who were scared and you may get a different perspective. If you like it and don't see a problem with it for your own kids, that's fine. BUT if I would prefer to use a more "gentle" version I would appreciate it not being called "phooey"

And in my opinion, a teenager is old enough to realize that although sudden deaths do happen, they aren't likely for a teen. But a two year old? Good luck convincing them of that

Malia