FAMILY PRAYER
Family Prayer &#=
8211;
Preservation
One of God’s highest priorities is preserving family relationships. G=
od
designed marriage (Genesis 2:18, 24) and the family to accomplish His pu=
rpose
and to enrich our lives (Psalm
127:3). While technology has enhanced the quality of our businesses and
allowed families to stay electronically accessible, it has also curtailed
communication. With greater regularity, parents and their children distance
themselves from one another emotionally and spiritually. Ultimately, in this
era of cutting-edge communication, the family unit “mis-communicates”
with God by omitting family prayers.
A family unit is established upon divine creation and Satan utilizes any
circumstances that promote disputes and destruction within a relationship (=
Ephesians
4:26–27, 1 Peter 5:7–8). The majority of families rarely
participate in activities together, directing their attention to the televi=
sion
or computer. In forfeiting dialogue with family members, parents and childr=
en
lack unity from God through prayer.
Family Prayer &#=
8211;
Privilege
Family prayers extend beyond meals and bedtime. Our needs extend beyond food
and fears. Families should discuss and pray together on a variety of issues=
. By
integrating a Bible verse(s) (Ephesians
6:1–3) with prayer, children can be encouraged to ask God to help
them obey their parents. Parents show their obedience to God by respecting =
and
honoring each other (1 Peter 3:7). Children experience security as they wi=
tness
their parents praying for God’s help as well. As the mother seeks to
please God in her prayers, God rewards her family (Proverbs
31:10–12, 28-29. As the father assumes his place as spiritual lea=
der
in the home, God blesses the family (Genesis
18:19). By example, their children will approach the Lord regularly as =
if
they were crawling up into a loving Father's lap.
Family Prayer &#=
8211;
Protection<=
br>
In family prayer, it is important to remember that our Heavenly Father love=
s to
talk with children and cares deeply about their problems. Knowing that He
protects and rescues us from our fears provides invaluable peace and unity =
to a
family. Praying together allows children to voice their concerns to both an
earthly parent and their “Father, dear Father” (Romans
8:15) simultaneously. When our daughter was about six years of age, she=
saw
me laid out on the basement floor, crying in great pain (I had kidney stone=
s),
she came over and laid hands on me, asking God to heal her dad and make him
feel better (Prov.22:6).
The benefits of family prayers impact the parents in dramatic ways. Our fam=
ily
made a rule that we would pray together as a family every day. No, we did n=
ot
fulfill this rule everyday, but some one in the family would always stand in
the gap for those who were not there.
There are always spoken and unspoken needs in a family (Philippians
4:6–7). Prayer plants a hedge of protection around families.
Family Prayer &#=
8211;
Priority
Though family prayer is effective in strengtheni=
ng
members, it’s often difficult to find a specific prayer time. Parents
approach family prayer with the best of intentions, only to find schedule
conflicts. A parent may feel unqualified to lead in prayer, believing that =
they
will appear ineffective communicating with God. So are there guidelines to
establishing family prayer as priority each day?
Family Prayers . . . all it takes=
is T.I.M.E.