Prayers for the Family

God-fearing men must maintain a healthy prayer life. It is important that head of households promote and lead prayer for their family as often as possible.

For Christians, few things in life are more important than prayer. It is a vital part of our sanctification and we are called to prayer incessantly; “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV).

Ironically most Christians find daily prayer as a struggle or imposition. In many situations, it is the nature and function of prayer that stifles a believer. This is common and is one of the reasons that people value Church attendance. Regular worship in a community setting helps people of faith commune with the Lord in an organized and structured environment. This brings confidence into the life of the attendee and further enriches their spiritual walk with Christ. However, this becomes problematic throughout the week as the daily perils of life attempt to invade our prayer life. Believers acknowledge the realities of the Kingdom of Heaven that was heralded by Jesus Christ at his advent. In this, we are tasked to a life of worship daily; “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12: 1-2). Therefore a daily prayer life is necessary to fulfill our sanctification in Christ Jesus.

What is prayer?

Prayer: Communication with God, primarily offered in the second-person voice (addressing God directly). May include the petition, entreaty, supplication, thanksgiving, praise, hymns, and lament^.[1]

R.C. Sproul once wrote:

“Prayer, like everything else in the Christian life, is for God’s glory and for our benefit, in that order. Everything that God does, everything that God allows and ordains, is in the supreme sense for His glory. It is also true that while God seeks His own glory supremely, man benefits when God is glorified. We pray to glorify God, but we also pray in order to receive the benefits of prayer from His hand. Prayer is for our benefit, even in light of the fact that God knows the end from the beginning. It is our privilege to bring the whole of our finite existence into the glory of His infinite presence.”^[2]

R-Rated Religion understands that daily prayer may be easily speaking about but harder to practice. In light of this sediment, we thought it helpful to supply some beautiful prayers for viewers to use and reference in daily devotion. This organization is not only here to educate and inform but to equip believers with the necessary tools to live out their faith in peace and hope.

The following prayers are targeted toward family and friends. Most of these prayers are not originals and can be found through books or online. Feel free to share these with others; you may never know when someone is in search of a good prayer to supplement their prayer life. Remember it is about communion with God and community with one another. Be careful never to force extemporaneous prayer on others; for many people, it is uncomfortable and embarrassing.

Family Prayers from https://www.holylandprayer.com/prayer_for/prayers-for-our-family/

Prayer for Family Healing:

Dear God, Please forgive and heal my family from all the pain and disputes we had over the years. Please make us humbled and loving to one another. Thank you for filling our hearts with empathy, love, and understanding. Thank you for transforming our relationship through Your love. May their relationship be renewed and healed through this experience. I pray that our family will be filled with happiness, beautiful memories, and peace. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for never leaving our side through this time. It is through Your love that our hearts will heal. Amen

Prayer for Family Peace:

Lord, I ask that you continue to watch over my kids and my family. Give us peace and quiet from any bad situation that comes our way. Put peace in my heart that any situation will be just fine, Lord. I pray in your name. Amen.

Prayer for Family Forgiveness:

Dear God, Please pray for us that our family can forgive. My daughter and I are estranged at this moment and I feel it is a bad influence in her life trying to change her belief in our Lord Jesus. Also, I have a new granddaughter the I want to see. I am broken-hearted. Also, pray for all suffering in these uncertain times..that Jesus watches over and protects the children and bring families closer to him. Thank you.

Family Prayer from https://www.beliefnet.com/prayables/prayer-galleries/family-prayer-7-prayers-for-families.aspx

Giving Gratitude:

Dear God, We hold hands in unity. You who have sustained countless generations; with the steadiness of Your love, with the strength of Your wisdom. You are the blood that unites us. You are the pulse that revives us. You are where we begin, where we end, where we are now. We look to You with soul-bursting gratitude for the blessing of family. Thank You for the gift of Your Presence within and around us. ~ Amen

Everlasting Care:

Dear God, It’s sometimes thankless, always exhausting.  Being part of a family has responsibilities. Every now and again, when we pause in prayer, we remember: In caring for each other we follow in Your way. It is a divine calling. We’re holding the circle of life together. Bless us as we deal with the routines of life. Honor our efforts with perfect peace and abundant joy. Keep us well. Grant us healthy prosperity. Hold us tight in Your everlasting care. ~ Amen.

Bond of Faith and Family:

Dear Lord, Our family serves You. Praise comes from our lips. Devotion from our hearts. Good deeds from our hands. We are stronger when we share the bond of our faith. We are never alone when we are sad and in despair. No problem is too overwhelming. No disappointment, too great. We have each other. Send blessings to us Lord, and we will continue to live bravely among all families of the nations. ~ Amen

Prayers from the Book of Common Prayer

For the Family:

Merciful Savior, you loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus, hallowing their home with your sacred presence: Bless our home, we pray, that your love may rest upon us and that your presence may dwell with us. May we all grow in grace and in the knowledge of you, our Lord and Savior. Teach us to love one another as you have commanded. Help us to bear one another’s burdening in fulfillment of your law, O blessed Jesus, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

For Relatives and Friends:

O Loving Father, we commend to your gracious keeping all who are near and dear to us. Have mercy upon any who are sick, and comfort those who are in pain, anxiety, or sorrow. Awaken all who are careless about eternal things. Bless those who are young and in health, that they may give the days of their strength to you. Comfort the aged and infirm, that your peace may rest upon them. Hallow the ties of kindred, that we may help and not hinder one another in all the good works that you have prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Children:

O Lord Jesus Christ, who took little children into your arms and blessed them: Bless the children of this family, that they may grow up in godly fear and love. Give them your strength and guidance day by day, that they may continue in your love and service to their lives’ end. Grant this, O blessed Savior, for your own Name’s sake. Amen

Footnotes:

^[1] Leslie T. Hardin, “Prayer,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

^[2] R. C. Sproul, Does Prayer Change Things?, vol. 3, The Crucial Questions Series (Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2009), 10.