Your family is the most important calling you have from God. Apart from your ministry to the Lord, your primary ministry is to your spouse and children before anything else, but the commitment to raising a strong, Christian family in a dark and fallen world will take more than just Kids’ church lessons each Sunday. Praying as a family is one of the most powerful and effective ways to anchor your family to their faith in the Lord.
Praying as a family is power in numbers
The old adage that says, “The family that prays together, stays together” has become so overused that it has lost its meaning, but a praying family truly does have the emotional advantage of a stronger relationship because of the time spent together. There is another advantage to praying as a family however- the spiritual advantage.
Yes, the wider world changes through the power of prayer. The Bible is filled with numerous references to how prayer affects the situations you’ll encounter, the season you’re in, the people you’re burdened for, the direction you need to move ahead, issues that affect everyday living.
James 5:16 says, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.” (MEV)
Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God.” (MEV)
In Matthew 5:44 Jesus said, “…pray for those who persecute you…” (MEV)
Psalm 102:17 says, “He will regard the prayer of the destitute and will not despise their prayer.” (MEV)
But praying as a family, for your family draws you together spiritually, creates a spiritual unity and focus for needs and sets your family up for the spiritual power that Jesus spoke about when He said, “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are assembled in My name, there I am in their midst.” (Matthew 18:19-20 MEV) The first place to find spiritual agreement and power in prayer is within your own family.
How Can You Build a Praying Family? Pray!
Whatever needs you see in the wider world, the things you’re praying for, the concerns on your heart, the burdens- these are things that God never intended for you to carry alone. You have a family that will stand with you, but you may need to lead the way in raising them up to do that. The spiritual discipline of praying as a family takes time, intention and commitment, but the powerful results are worth the investment!
The world will never change without the intervention of God and prayer is how His people invite His power and presence into the situation. That is what Jesus meant when He said, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
Whatever time your family naturally comes together, stop and pray. Ask each person to share a need, a burden, a thought, a concern, a hope, a struggle- and pray.
- Start small – When you are first starting to develop a family prayer life, it can be overwhelming for kids or others to sit still and pray for a long time. Make it quick, but personal to each person and then move on.
- Build over time – As your family develops the habit of praying as a family, come ready with a short, encouraging Scripture to share before you pray. Seek the Lord for which verse to use and share it each day for the entire week before you pray. This repetitive sharing helps the Word get into the spirit.
- Be consistent – This is the hardest part, but it is easier if you use a time of day when your family is naturally together- around a mealtime, or at bed time, for example. Set an alarm on your phone. Take the lead.
Praying as a family changes the world by changing your family, first. Building a strong, Christian family is worth the time and effort and God has given you these wonderful people for more than just the blessing- He gave them to you to raise up for His kingdom and His glory.
