Now I Lay Me

A young child, Joey, begins a typical bedtime prayer but is surprised when God responds. Through their conversation, Joey gains a deeper understanding of prayer, faith, and God’s presence. The dialogue explores themes of salvation, the reality of death, and the personal relationship one can have with God. By the end, Joey realizes that prayer isn’t just about repeating words but about a real connection with God, who listens at all times.

• Run Time: Approximately 8-10 minutes.
• Cast Number: 2 (Joey and the Voice of God).
• Biblical Reference:
  • 2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
  • Luke 15:7 – I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Sample of script:

(A child's bedtime. Joey is kneeling beside the bed, hands folded in prayer.)

Child: Now I lie me down to sleep.

Voice: You've had a busy day, Joey. You must be tired!

Child: Who are you? How did you know my name was Joey?

Voice: I'm God. You are talking to me, remember?

Child: Hey, that’s way cool! How do you do that?

Voice: Do what?

Child: Talk to kids like me, like that.

Voice: It’s because I’m here with you, always, ready to talk with you. But when folks are talking to me, I try to be especially available.

Child: People talk to you?

Voice: Of course. Just like you are talking to me now.

Child: Excuse me, but I better finish my prayers. Mom’ll get mad if I take too long.

Voice: You mean, your mom doesn’t want you to talk to me?

Child: Actually, my Mom doesn’t want me to talk to strangers.

Voice: I beg your pardon? Me, a stranger?

Child: Well, least I never hear my Mom talking to you, except sometimes when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit. She says grace before we eat. Oops, Mom’s looking in here, I gotta get going with my prayers! Where was I? Oh, yeah, I pray the Lord . . .

Voice: Who is “the Lord,” Joey?

Child: Who?

Voice: The Lord. You know, like you just said, “I pray the Lord.”

Child: Oh, that. I’m not sure really. It’s just what Mom told me to remember to say when I say my prayers.

Voice: You mean your mom told you what to say, but she didn’t explain what the words meant?

Child: My mom likes to keep things simple. She’s real busy, you know, and I’m just a kid. Look, I gotta get to bed, let’s see . . . I already said: I pray the Lord, next comes, my soul to keep.

Voice: What’s your soul, Joey?

Child: Soul? I dunno, let’s see, has something to do with your shoes, I think.

Voice: Shoes? So now I’m in charge of shoes?

Child: I said I wasn’t for sure about the shoes thing! So here we go then, if I should die before I wake. . . .

Voice: Do you think you might die tonight?

Child: Me? Die? Of course not! I’m just a kid! Kids don’t die! Old people, they die!

Voice: What about Tony Adams, down the street? He died.

Child: Sure, but he had leukemia or something.

Voice: Tommy didn’t always have leukemia, Joey. Once he was healthy, just like you. Then one day he got sick.

Child: D’ya mean, . . . like I could get sick and I might even . . .

Voice: I hope that never happens, but . . .

Child: Wow! I never thought about me, I mean, dying . . .

Voice: People do need to be ready, just in case it happens.

Child: Wow! (thinks) I pray the Lord my soul to take. If I die, I want to go to heaven. And I know I will ‘cause last summer at camp I asked Jesus to come into my heart.

Voice: I remember, Joey. There was a real party in heaven that day.

Child: Wow! A party? In heaven? You mean, just because I asked Jesus to come into my heart, there was a party? Just for me? Wow!

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