Christians are called to come together to pray as a church community (Acts 2:42). If we are called to pray together as a church, Christian families are also called to pray together. It is not just prayer itself that is vital to a family but doing the devotions. When we say a family does devotions together, this pertains to praying, reading the Bible together, breaking the bread together (communion), and even praising/worshiping God as a family. Doing a devotion as a family has a significant impact on the Christian walk of every member. One benefit is that children get to be taught about the things of God as they read the Bible as a family, which is very important because Christian parents ought to raise their children to become godly men and women. Also, with family devotions, members can build up and encourage each other, especially if someone is going through tough times, for which the family can pray together. As for parents, they can teach and correct their kids. Discipleship happens in a church and family settings, such as during family devotions or when families pray together. That is why it is an essential practice for families to conduct devotions.
Why is family prayer important?
When families do their devotions or pray together, it is always assumed that the parents, most especially the father, lead it. Men should always lead. Family prayers are important because parents get to teach their children how to pray. It is not just “how” to pray that you can teach to your kids, but also the theology behind it. You get to teach your kids that prayer is a way for us to communicate with God, Who is our heavenly Father.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Ephesians 6:4
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
A Christian Family Prayer
Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
A Christian Family Prayer
Colossians 4:2
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
A Christian Family Prayer
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
A Christian Family Prayer
You get to teach your kids to believe in God’s love for them by praying to God. Kids can also learn to be selfless by praying not just for their wishes but for the needs and concerns of other people. It says in Ephesians 6:18, Romans 1:9-10, and 1 Timothy 2:1:
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
Ephesians 6:18
“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.”
Romans 1:9-10
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”
Timothy 2:1
It is also a good time to confess what you believe as a family. This includes, most especially, the essential teachings such as Jesus was born of a virgin who lived a sinless life, died the death we should have died, resurrected on the third day, and is seated on the right hand of God, as well as the triunity of God (one God eternally existent in three divine persons), and other core teachings of Christianity. It is also a good opportunity to thank God as a family and teach the kids to always be grateful to God and have a grateful heart. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that we are to always give thanks to God:
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Family prayer is important not only because you can gather together and present your requests to God but also because discipleship happens as the family comes together in the presence of God. Everyone is built up and grows as a Christian, even the parents. That means it is essential to make a regular time for prayer as a family.
Whether you are a father, mother, son, or daughter, you can pray this prayer for your family to always fight for their prayer time together:
Father in heaven, I pray that You would give us the grace to always fight for our prayer and devotional time with You, where we gather and pray together as a family. Help us never let the business of life be an excuse not to make time for our family prayer. I pray that we shall delight in the idea of coming together as a family to pray for one another, fellow brothers/sisters in Christ, and other people. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Christian Family Prayer
What is a good prayer for a family?
You can pray for your concerns as a family. For example, if you as a family need provision, you can pray this sample prayer:
Heavenly Father, we pray as a family to ask for provision for our needs. We pray that You would bless us financially so that we may be able to afford the things we need, such as those things [the one who is studying] needs for school, our basic necessities, and the bills we have to pay. We thank You, Lord, because You are faithful to provide. We also pray that You will bless our father in his work so that he can get an increase in salary and promotion. Give him the grace to be excellent and faithful at work. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
As a family, you can also pray for other people. For example, you can pray for your pastor’s well-being. Here is a prayer you can pray for your pastor:
Father in heaven, we pray that You would always give our pastor the grace and strength he needs as he leads and pastors our church. Give him also the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that he needs. We pray that he will always depend on You in everything. Provide him and his family everything they need, that they shall lack no good thing, Father. Protect him and his family from the schemes of the enemy and all harm. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
The Bible tells us that we ought always to give thanks to God. Whether you are going through tough times or not, there are always many things to be thankful to God for. You can pray this prayer as a family as you thank God:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for all the blessings, graces, and mercies that You have been showing us. We thank You because we are still here alive and praising You. Thank You for giving us the grace to always persevere in the faith. We also thank You for the provision You have made for our needs. We thank You, God, because we always have joy in Christ no matter our circumstances. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
God requires Christians to pray and intercede for all people. That is why we pray for our coworkers, non-Christians, friends, government, etc. Therefore, you can also pray and intercede for all people as a family. For example, you can pray this prayer for the government:
Heavenly Father, we intercede for our government. We pray that You would give its members grace, guide them, and cause them to choose policies and actions that honor You. We pray that they shall always put the people’s interest first and not their own; they will govern our nation honestly and with integrity. We also pray for our government leaders that they will get to hear the Gospel and repent from sin. Turn their hearts of stone to hearts of flesh, Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Praying together or having a family devotion is never the same as going to church and will never replace it. However, it is still an important thing to do as a family. It helps us grow in our walk with God, and it is also one of the things that God can use to sanctify us, just as He uses the church community. Family devotions or prayers are times we should always fight for and never make excuses to put off. We do this not out of forced obligation or routine but because we want to grow more in our walk with God together with our family.