Becoming A Praying Family Series: Part 1

Becoming A Praying Family 

Series:  Part 1

The Legacy Begins With Me

By Angie Ketcham

I don’t know if it’s the fact that I hit the big 4-0 this year and my kids are growing into young men and ladies or if time itself is whispering with anticipation, but my spirit has been stirred so strong lately with the urgency to make my moments count.  I feel as if God Himself is speaking into me that it is time to forsake the busyness that seems to consume me everyday and get back to the basics.  I have felt my flesh fighting, no warring, something unseen, something worth fighting for.  It is in these times I am reminded what God’s Word tells us:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

In this verse, we are commanded to pray continually.  I am fortunate because I come from a long line of “prayin mommas” that knew how to seek after the heart of God through prayer and petition.  I have continued the spiritual tradition of prayer to my children, but continually need to be reminded that prayer should be a regular part of our daily lives.  So what do you do if you never learned to make prayer a part of your family life?  How does one teach their family to pray?  Today I will offer you what God has shown me to pass on a heritage of prayer.

Developing a Relationship

In order to teach our children to have a relationship with God, we must model those things we want to see in our children.  Do we turn to God in every circumstance and seek direction from Him?  Our children watch more of what we do than what we teach.  Whenever you’re in a place that you need to seek forgiveness, or you need help in an impossible situation, or maybe you just need to spend time with God and give Him thanks, allow your children to see you develop that relationship with Him.  Spend time getting to know God intimately and this will help you cultivate it in your children. 

Developing Trust

Continually point out opportunities that you and your family can trust God.  He is faithful to show Himself to you and your family if you can trust Him to keep His promises that are in the Word.  I remember when my daughter was planning on attending a missions trip to Mexico.  There was no way we were going to be able to come up with that large amount of money that it cost.  But, we prayed about it as a family that if she was supposed to attend this trip, that God would be faithful to provide that money for her.  The money did come in, not a moment too soon, and she was able to see that trusting God was possible and that He was faithful to provide.   Her faith grew by praying as a family for her needs and seeing Him meet that need.

Developing Unity

It may not always be possible, but praying together with your spouse shows that praying is a priority for all members of the house.  Our children need to see both parents making prayer an integral part of their lives.  If you are a single parent, God will still honor your efforts to lead your family and seek after God as a family unit.  Hold your family’s hands and share your concerns and needs with one another.  Write down your thoughts, praises, and requests.  As God meets those needs and answers those prayers, thank Him together for those things.  Be sensitive to one another’s ideas and concerns.  And, as the parent, be the one to step out of your comfort zone to reach out for prayer and to pray for your kids.

Take some time this week to reevaluate where you might be at in your prayer life.  Are you praying without ceasing?  Are you trusting and leaning on God to provide?  Are you just seeking "things" or empty requests? or are you seeking a relationship with Him?  Your family is watching.  You be the catalyst to become a Praying Family.