Family Prayer
God’s plan for your family is holiness. Each of us, married or single, is part of a family. We all have a part to play to redeem the world. The writings of Pope St. John Paul II provide a beautiful description of what it looks like to be a family after God’s own heart.
God’s plan for family life consists of setting your priorities with God at the center, cultivating a healthy family prayer life, engaging in family recreation, loving unconditionally, building community with other families, and evangelization.
Family Prayer
Fostering prayer within the family is the most important of all the steps that can be taken. It is the lifeblood of the family, because it takes the family outside of itself and brings it into union with God. An individual prayer life for each parent is a prerequisite, and prayer between the married couple is important as well. All forms of prayer acknowledge that God is important, that we cannot do it alone, and that our relationship with God is an essential part of our lives. We pray to God for ourselves, for our marriage, and for our family.
If then my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and heal their land.
2 Chr. 7:14
Some would say that a strong marriage is the most important foundation for a happy family, but a strong marriage is the result of a strong prayer life of the husband and wife and their shared prayer together. If there are troubles in the marriage, who should they turn to? They should turn to God in prayer and ask for His help. Family prayer is no different. The center of our family is not a new baby; it is not our children; it is not mom or dad. It is God. When He is placed at the center of our family life, all family issues, disputes, and struggles can be overcome. The surest way to place God at the center of our family is through frequent and sincere family prayer time. Prayer is to the soul like breathing is to the body. Without it, your soul will die.
“Family prayer has its own characteristic qualities. It is prayer offered in common, husband and wife together, parents and children together…by reason of their dignity and mission, Christian parents have the specific responsibility of educating their children in prayer, introducing them to gradual discovery of the mystery of God and to personal dialogue with Him…”
Familiaris Consortio #59-60
Talks
Resources
- How to Start Family Prayer
- Praying the Family Rosary
- Praying as a couple (Bonus Content)
- Daily Scripture and Quotes on Family Prayer (You may wish to include these short readings in your daily prayers) – Week 1 and Week 2