Family Prayers: How Do You Do It?

When tragedy strikes or we face tough times, many think about praying to God. If you have made the decision to begin to pray more and want to include your family, you should learn more about family prayers and how you do it. It may seem unnatural and strange at first, but over time, your family prayers will become a meaningful spiritual foundation to not only your children but you as well.

Family Prayers: How to Do It
Go by this step by step guide for learning a simple family prayer. Tweak these steps to suit your own needs. Begin by choosing which type of prayer you want to share. This could be a prayer for protection to keep everyone safe, a prayer of healing if someone is sick or a prayer of unity to bind the family closer together. These are not the only prayers you can say but these family prayers will help you get started. Learning how to do it is simple if you repeat prayers every day or every few days.

Gather your family around a table or in your living room. No matter how long the prayer will be, you want your family to be comfortable.

Ask your family to close their eyes and bow their heads. Explain that there is nothing "magical" about this activity, it just helps you to focus on God and the prayers that are about to be spoken.

Lead the prayer for your family using these words, "Heavenly Father" or "Dear Father." This helps listeners understand that God is a Father who loves them.

Speak your prayer. For example you might say, "Please protect our family as we travel this weekend. We trust you to watch over us and keep us safe. May the roads be safe and free of accidents."

Encourage others to pray. In a gentle manner, ask quietly if anyone else in the family would like to pray for the family. If no says "yes" do not be discouraged. Keep asking, one day someone will say, "yes."

End the prayer with worship. "We worship you God with our hearts, our mouths and our lives. Bless my family Father and help us to always remember that you are our Father."

Lift your head and open your eyes. This will be your family's cue to say "Amen" with you.

Family Prayer Basics

It is good to read a scripture or two before you pray as long as they scripture pertains to your family's current situation. Family prayer will mean more and the family will have more faith in the prayer if scriptures are involved. Take the time to find some relevant scripture.

Take your family to church often. Teaching a family prayer is excellent but being involved in a family church will bolster your teaching even more. Take your time and visit a few churches before finding one you can call home.