Praying with the family can take on lots of shapes and sizes. The most important thing, of course, is simply doing it often and regularly. Repetition is good for memorization, but It’s also good to mix it up a little to keep it relevant and help everyone in the family continue to learn to pray. Here’s a short list of ideas and thoughts on family prayers; things we’ve either seen or done, to give you some new things to try or remind you of things you can try again.
>There are many prayers for meals, bedtime, and others that are meant to be memorized and said in unison. For a change of pace, here’s a winter time meal prayer we made up with the kids when they were little:
Thank you for a house with heat
Thank you for the food we eat
Thank you for our warm clothes too
Thanks for everything you do - Amen
>Our “go to” prayer in a restaurant with small children (and sometimes with older ones) -
Thank you Jesus for this food - Amen
It’s short and subtle, but still reminds the family to pause and give thanks even when you’re out and about.
>With older children or adults, you can let the server know you’re going to pray before you eat and ask them if they need prayer for anything - a nice witness they may give you more opportunity to share Jesus while also modelling witnessing for the family.
>Any time you’re gathered, a meal, before bed, devotions, etc. - ask each person for highs and lows. Remind everyone God is listening even as you share with each other, then summarize the discussion in prayer, with requests or thank you’s based on the highs and lows.
>When we get in the car to leave for a significant drive, someone prays aloud for the trip, safety, the house and pets while we’re gone and other travel type requests and thank you’s. Always a good plan to remind the driver they don’t have to close their eyes for this prayer
>When you’re praying an “impromptu” prayer (not a memorized prayer) It’s important to remember regular words are good. You don’t need to say things the right way or talk differently than when you’re talking to each other. It’s good to model this for the family, but also good to provide opportunities for them to do it themselves. One way to do this is to simply ask one of them to pray at a time they’re expecting you to do it. Before a meal, during a devotion - just pick someone and ask them, then encourage them to pray what they’re thinking about and not worry about getting it right. Then make sure you affirm them afterward and, unless they said something horribly wrong, just let it go without comment or critique.
>There are many “camp” or “youth group” prayer songs around. Remember them or ask your kids to teach you some and include them in the mix as well - it’s okay to sing a prayer even when you’re at home.
>For meals at home, consider a memorized prayer in unison before the meal, and a more specific prayer at the end that includes things discussed during the meal. One person could do it or each could take a turn if willing, going around the table or designating someone to begin and someone to end ( someone to call, and someone to hang up :-)
>Remembering God is listening even when we’re not between “Dear Jesus” and “Amen” let family members share something they’d like to pray for. Where they’re done telling the group the situation or need, they end with “Lord in Your mercy” and everyone else responds “Hear our prayer”. Then the next person shares and ends the same way.
Clearly this is not an exhaustive list, but hopefully it’s sparked some ideas for your family. If you have thoughts to share send t
hem through the contact page and we’ll post them to https://www.facebook.com/YourFaithYourFamily
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