“Prayer is the best way to prepare for whatever is in store for us in the critical and testing times of life. When difficulties come, we don’t have to be dependent on the circumstances around us, but on the hidden resource within us—and that is God Himself.”
Billy Graham
These are the words of the late Reverend Billy Graham on the subject of prayer, and it especially speaks to the importance of family prayer. This is a concept we need to remind ourselves of, especially today.
Let me share a short testimony about the importance of building a family altar (through praying together). I think it illustrates the point.
Family Bonds
I come from a very big family. Although my immediate family is not so large, I grew up with my extended family all in the same building.
We all saw each other often, and at the end of the day, everyone had a story to tell about how their day went, who they met, what happened, etc.
We also experienced different atmospheres, living in a single home full of different people representing various ideas, feelings, and habits.
Different but Unbreakable
There would be disagreements and arguments here and there, and boy, did it feel like living in a market. However, regardless of our differences and all, one thing was noticeable. Our large family shared an unbreakable bond.
Were we different from one another? Yes. Did we have conflict? Yes. Yet, we were one unit. We faced life as a group, and we conquered every single time. If you came visiting, you would think we’d just won the lottery. Why? The home was always happy.
The Secret
As I grew older, even after leaving the family home, I’d think back and try to imagine how, without one single person in charge, the family still stuck together and survived everything that life threw at us.
The answer was that our family always prayed together. We never missed it. No matter how tired or busy everyone was, we prayed. No matter what was lacking, we prayed. Prayer was the one tradition in the family that was never broken.
It was here that I learned the practical meaning of the old saying, “The family that prays together stays together.” It was true for us. Even the kids got used to it. At least I did.
At a young age, we were familiar with the working of the Holy Spirit, the value of spiritual morals, respect for ourselves and others, and how to take issues to God.
It was there I learned to lock myself in a room just to pray and read my Bible. It was there I learned to hear God for myself and had my first childhood encounters with God.
A family that does not pray together does not know what they are missing out on.
The Importance of Family Prayer
Sometimes, we call this the family altar. It is a place of high reverence where we meet God, invite Him in, and submit ourselves to Him.
Here are some reasons family prayer is so important:
1. We invite God’s presence.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20
2. We are energized with the Holy Spirit as a family to be witnesses for His Kingdom and uphold His purpose.
“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.”
Acts 4:31
3. Family prayer helps us love, forgive, and understand each other.
“From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.”
Ephesians 4:16
4. Each member of the family unit is equipped for trying times.
“But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit.”
Jude 1:20
5. Our children develop strong spiritual foundations that help them navigate the world.
“And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 6:6–7
Praying together helps us stay together. Faith and love will grow in our homes when we build a solid altar of prayer.
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