It’s encouraging that you’re exploring how to prioritize family prayer. Many parents feel the weight of raising children to know and love God, and it’s a journey we navigate together, doing our best. If you’re wondering how to make family prayer work, especially with kids who seem restless, know that you’re not alone. Family prayer in our home isn’t always picture-perfect; it’s often lively and rarely unfolds as neatly as imagined!
The essence of prayer isn’t about rigid schedules or flawless execution; it’s about nurturing a relationship. Family prayer is an opportunity to model what a living connection with God looks like. Our deepest desire as Christian parents is for our children and families to develop a genuine love for Jesus. We use prayer as a tool to learn how to walk with God through all aspects of life.
Your family is observing and absorbing what it means to have a personal relationship with God. So, what does that look like in practice? It’s simply talking to God, frequently and openly. Prayers don’t need to be lengthy or overly formal. Keeping them relaxed, relatable, and using language children understand makes prayer accessible and meaningful for everyone.
Cultivate a sense of God’s presence in the everyday moments of your family life. Point out the beauty in a flower, the wonder of a sunset, or the intricate world of insects. Take time to appreciate the creative genius of the One who made it all. God’s glory is visible everywhere, and as parents, we have the privilege of teaching our children to recognize it. Incorporate prayer into bedtime routines, mealtimes, moments of discipline, car rides, and conversations sparked by fears or worries. Any moment can become an opportunity to pray with and for your family.
There’s no unsuitable time for prayer. Sometimes, I’ll just start praying aloud spontaneously. Often, this happens when I’m on the verge of losing my patience. While my kids might give me curious looks, I’m showing them that I turn to God with my needs. I hope they see in those moments that I genuinely need God.
Yes, even parents, especially moms, need His help and strength! My heartfelt desire is for my family to witness that I place my hope in Christ. I don’t always get it right, and we’re constantly learning, but I pray they see me communicating with my Savior, planting seeds of understanding that they too need Him in their lives.
Now is always the best time to begin praying together as a family. Choose a moment that works – and with flexible schedules being more common now, there are many possibilities. It might initially feel awkward, but you can ease into it by reading a Psalm together and praying about it. Alternatively, using a devotional can offer a helpful structure.
The idea of using prayer cards, which I adapted from this article, has provided a wonderful framework for our family prayers.
Using Prayer Cards to Structure Family Prayer
To help us pray intentionally for others, we use prayer lists written on note cards for each day of the week, Monday through Friday, for the entire year. Our format looks like this:
- One Family Member: This person shares their specific prayer requests for the day. We also include prayers for particular needs within our community and globally.
- A Missionary We Support: Praying for missionaries helps broaden our perspective and support those serving in different parts of the world.
- A Ministry We’re Involved In: This keeps us connected to and praying for the work of ministries we are personally connected to.
- One Leader: We pray for those in positions of leadership, such as government officials, employers, church leaders, school principals, and coaches, recognizing their influence and need for guidance.
The family member assigned to a particular day shares their requests, and then the person to their right leads the prayer, incorporating those requests along with the items on the card. This system ensures that each family member is prayed for throughout the week, and everyone participates in praying for others.
