Praying Families
In the previous post, we discussed the secret place in God’s presence where we can abide with him always. If you notice, I mentioned Scripture throughout the post because it is the foundation for our lives as believers. Unapologetically, the rest of the series is more of the same as we consider how we can pray over our families.
At the formation of the nation of Israel, God laid out how he wanted his people to disciple their children:
“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words
that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them
to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and
when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol
on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts
of your house and on your gates.”
This type of discipleship is a family culture, a way of life. It’s intentional instruction and using organic opportunities to point our kids to Jesus. The secret place in your heart harbors God’s words so you can apply them in the everyday parts of your life (Ps. 119:11). When you’re relaxing, hanging out, eating meals together, traveling, doing errands, cooking meals, or any other daily part of life, you can point each other to Jesus. A big part of that is prayer.
Today, we’re examining how we can pray over our families using Scripture. As you think about the following verses, consider how they can be applied or prayed over your family based on the theme.
We Worship God Alone as a Family
“Therefore, fear the Lord and worship Him in sincerity and truth.
Get rid of the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River
and in Egypt, and worship Yahweh. But if it doesn’t please you
to worship Yahweh, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship:
the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or
the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living.
As for me and my family, we will worship Yahweh.” Josh. 24:14-15
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name,
I am there among them.” Mt. 18:20
And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote
love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings,
as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more
as you see the day drawing near. Heb. 10:24-25
A way to pray through these scriptures for, or with, your family could be,
“God, we choose you alone to worship. You are always with our family. Please help us to be aware of your presence at all times in our home. Give us wisdom and insight into loving each other and helping each other more and more each day. Amen.”
Prayerfully look through the rest of these passages and let the Holy Spirit guide how you can use them as a framework to pray over your families.
God is Among Our Family
“Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice
over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love.
He will delight in you with shouts of joy.” Zeph. 3:17
We Rely on God’s New Mercies Everyday
Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies
never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! Lam. 3:22-23
Our Home is Built by God, Who Guards Us
Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain;
unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. Ps. 127:1
We Have Confidence in God
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 15:13
We Love Each Other, No Matter What
Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. Eph. 4:1-3
Our Family Shares Each Other’s Burdens
Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 6:2
Our Family is Compassionate, Forgiving, and United
And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another,
just as God also forgave you in Christ. Eph. 4:32
Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another
and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as
the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love—
the perfect bond of unity. Col. 3:13-14
Our Family Motto: LOVE
Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers
a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers
of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks
God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides,
so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong
the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Pt. 4:8-11
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
and with all your strength. Dt. 6:5
We are Prayerfully Generous with Our Resources
There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called
the Italian Regiment. He was a devout man and feared God along
with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people
and always prayed to God. Acts 10:2
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