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You must have heard from your pastor or church leadership about Family prayer, its very many importance and even some bible references to back it up. Sometimes, simply having this information at the back of your mind isn’t enough if you fail to pray as a family.
But then, how easy it is actually to start praying together as a family since you know that a family that prays together stays together… Maybe the real challenge is not knowing where to start or how to pray right. The challenge might even be bigger than simply not knowing what to pray about or how to start praying as a family…
In this post, I have taken time to detail everything you need to start praying together as a family, the power of family prayer, prayer points you can table before God, and how to be consistent/importunate in prayer as a family.
Consider this a complete guide to Family prayer.
Family Prayer – Jesus Commanded It.
Maybe the reason you have not started to pray together as a family is because you are not sure if it was expressly commanded by Christ in the bible.
Let’s take a quick look at what the bible says:
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6
From the above text, the bible expressly commands us to pray and to supplicate (A deeper version of prayer) with thanksgiving (Prayer of worship) to God the Almighty.
A family that prays together is simply fulfilling the command of God himself. From personal experience, I experience peace in my heart at the end of every family prayer session. You can experience the same if you get involved in praying together as a family because Jesus commanded us to pray and supplicate as a family.
Other Reasons Family Prayers Are Good
Apart from Christ’s command that families should pray together, there are other reasons families should join hands together in prayers. Let’s get to explore some of these reasons below.
1. Unity Of Purpose
Here is the thing, when families pray together, they all go before God with some specific requests and not different ones. This shows unity of purpose. Praying together fosters unity in the family and increases a collective trust in the powers of God.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them
Matthew 18:20:
2. Achieving more (Quicker Response)
While I am not saying that God does not answer the prayers of a single person, it is scripturally documented all over the bible that praying in groups gets better results.
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
Exodus 2:23, 25
VS 25, and God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
3. Mutual Support
When families pray together, they can share freely testimonies of God’s goodness as well as burdens that need to be prayed about. In family prayer sessions too, families can share burdens, their needs and struggles needing physical support. This mutual support strengthens family relationships and encourages empathy and compassion.
This is also commanded in the scripture in Galatians 6:2, the bible admonishes us to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, we will fulfil the law of Christ.”
4. Guidance and Direction
Families come together to present important decisions, challenges, and transitions to God. When prayers are made together, directions and guidance can be laid in the hearts of other members to be relayed to the needy family member.
By praying together too, families acknowledge that God is the primary source of Guidance and direction to every hard issue in the family.
Perfect Pattern For Family Prayer
Is there a perfect pattern of prayer for family?… Well, Jesus himself has given us the perfect praying pattern. While we may not directly pray Jesus’s prayer every time as a family, we can tailor our prayers just like Christ’s did.
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13
6 Layers Of Family Prayer Curled From The Lord’s Prayer.
The lord’s Prayer is said to be a complete version of prayer upon which every one of our daily prayers should take their forms. According to the Bible Society, The Lord’s Prayer does not attempt to twist God’s arm. It zooms in on God’s agenda and focuses less on our wants; and finally, it takes its rests in the knowledge that the heavenly father knows every one of our needs…
For a deeper understanding of the lord’s prayer and how we can also pattern our everyday family prayers like it, I have divided it into 6 distinctive layers.
a. Address to God
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.” This opening part of the lord’s prayer acknowledges God as our Father, emphasizing the familial relationship believing families have with Him (God). It also expresses our reverence for His holiness and exalted position in heaven.
As families, when we come together to pray (Not necessarily the lord’s Prayer), the very first and opening paragraph of our prayers must centre around exalting God and referencing him for mightiness.
when we pray as families, It should always be thanksgiving and exporting God first before any other thing.
b. Invocation of the Kingdom
“Thy kingdom comes, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This part of the prayer expresses our desire for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be fulfilled on earth just as it is in heaven. It reflects our submission to God’s sovereignty and the longing for His kingdom to be established fully.
Again while you may not pray exactly this prayer during devotion, it is however important to ask that God counts you worthy to be part of his kingdom and to give us the grace to live a life worthy of his kingdom.
c. Petitions for Daily Needs
“Give us this day our daily bread.” Here, families make solemn requests for God’s provision for their daily family necessities. It’s a reminder of our dependence on God for sustenance and provision in all aspects of family life, both physical and spiritual.
There definitely will not be a complete prayer without asking for things we need to survive. Whether it is about a pending contract, looking up to God for a favour to ace an interview, for the choice of marriage partner, or food for the body, when you pray and table all of these before God, you are simply praying per his will.
d. Petitions for Forgiveness
“And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” This part of the prayer acknowledges the need for forgiveness for our sins and offences. It also emphasizes the importance of extending forgiveness to others, mirroring the grace we receive from God.
This is so simple… If you do not forgive others, you should not expect the same. This was further exemplified in Matthew 18:21–35
So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he could pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.
Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? And in anger, his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.
e. Petitions for Guidance
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” In this petition, as families in prayer, you want to seize the opportunity to ask for God’s guidance and protection from temptation and evil. It’s a plea for strength to resist sin and to be delivered from the forces of darkness that plague families.
Even if you do end up saying the lord’s Prayer as a family, every form of prayer you eventually choose to say must contain an element of seeking guidance from God in everything you do.
f. Doxology
“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.” Again, here comes another bit of thanksgiving to God for all he has done. For all the mercies and loving-kindness he has shown your family.
This concluding statement exalts God’s eternal sovereignty, power, and glory. It acknowledges His absolute authority and magnificence, emphasizing that all honour and praise belong to Him forever.
Various Types Of Family Prayers
1. Prayer for family protection and guidance
A family prayer for protection and guidance isn’t unscriptural. The Bible admonishes us to seek guidance from God and also for his protection. In the book of Proverbs 3:5-6, the Bible has this to say: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
In the following paragraphs, I will detail on some examples of short family prayers for guidance and protection. These are personal examples that I have always said during my family devotion too.
Example Number 1:
“Father of all creations, We (mention your family name) trust in You with all our hearts. In our journey through this sinful life, help us not to rely on our own understanding but to submit to Your will everyday. Guide our steps, father, and make our ways straight. Amen.
Example Number 2:
Father God, we come before You seeking Your protection over this family (Mention your family name). Shield us from harm and danger, both ones we can see and those we cannot see. Guard our hearts and minds, and lead us in the paths of your perfect safety. Amen.
Example Number 3:
Heavenly Father, grant us wisdom and discernment as we navigate the challenges of each day. Help us as a family and as Individuals to make choices that honor You and align with Your perfect will. May Your Spirit guide us in all our decisions. Amen.
Example Number 4:
Gracious Father, strengthen our faith in You each day. Teach us to surrender our fears and anxieties into Your loving hands. Lord, spread your protection over my family and help us as a family to trust in Your provision and guidance, knowing that You are always with us even till the end of time. Amen.
2. Prayer for my family in difficult times
Difficult times will come in a family, it is unavoidable so long as we are still in this world. There will be times of financial difficulties, death and mourning of a loved one, sicknesses, disappointment and a host of other. We have been commanded to pray for succour and deliverance from the lord.
Remember the scenario that played out in the book of Matthew 8:23-27 where the apostles were drowning in the sea, and Jesus was sleeping in the hinder part of the boat.
In verse 26, Jesus said unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
This is a great lesson for families. Jesus can bid every difficult time in the family to calm too.
Here are some short prayer points for you.
Example Number 1:
Heavenly Father, during this difficult time, we turn to You for strength and comfort. Wrap Your loving arms around our family, and carry us through this boisterous storm. Help us as a family to lean on each other and on You, knowing that You are our refuge and strength to the downcasted. Amen.
Example Number 2:
Almighty God, I come unto you with a heart overburdened by the weight of sorrow. Let Your Word be a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Cause a replication of the Miracle at the Sea where you rebuked the wind and the sea in my life today. Amen
Example Number 3:
God of peace, amid storm and uncertainty, grant us Your peace that passes all understanding. Impress your loving assurance in our hearts that you are still in full control and that Your plans for us are good. Help us to trust in Your unfailing love and find rest in Your presence alone. Amen.
How Often Should Families Pray?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 admonishes us to pray without ceasing. This of course does not mean we should pray every time and everywhere, it simply admonishes us to never get disconnected from speaking with God even in our thoughts. Families can come together in the morning before Setting out and at night before bed to pray.
Families must pray together before they all set sail with the activities of the day. Praying in the morning is also very important because the body and the mind seem to be fresh and calm.
When the day ends too, families are admonished to pray. This prayer must include thanksgiving to God for a successful day, a plea for his protection through the night and the strength to see the light of day.
During the day when families cannot meet together to pray, it is expected that they say a few words of prayer to God privately in their hearts. This shows a continuous connection with the God that answers prayers.
What You Should Never Do When Praying In the Family
Prayer time is usually a serious time where you get to pour out your mind before God and seek his face. In this period, there are some things you should never do.
a. Avoid Jokes
Prayer sessions are times of serious business and not for jokes or jestings. Joking should be completely avoided to concentrate on your request.
b. Avoid Opening Your Eyes
While the closing of the eye is not necessarily an express command from in the scripture, it is considered important because it helps to stop distraction
c. Sleep
Sometimes you may not be able to control sleep, but it is best to plan a family prayer ahead of time, have all the rest or sleep you need, and stay awake during the prayer time.
d. Eating and Drinking
This may sound funny, but it is a common practice amongst some family members when prayer is ongoing. You wouldn’t eat or drink when on a serious assignment with the president of the United States. You should never also eat or drink when in serious business with the Almighty God.
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