How Prioritizing Prayer Empowers Your Family Relationships!
Ministry Partner of Intentional Living
I am absolutely convinced of this: your family will enjoy more closeness in your relationships, as well as experience more restoration from past hurts, when you prioritize conversing with God in prayer. The Lord created you as a physical, mental and spiritual entity. When you pray regularly, you are stimulating the spiritual part of your being that all too often rests dormant... unused... ignored... neglected. Prayer helps make you - and your spouse, your children, and your relatives - whole and more complete in Him! Don't overlook it in your home any longer! Here's a trio of ways you can empower your family by prioritizing prayer: 1. Pray with each other as a family group - This builds the sense of spiritual community in your home, the realization you are one as a family and that you serve the same God. In my family, we would regularly get together to talk to God, usually around the dinner table. I didn't always do the praying; either my wife Donna or one of our children would pray as well. I discovered that praying for each other as a family connected us. There's nothing more intimate than praying with a person that you love, and when you do that as a family, it's powerful. 2. Pray for each other individually - In my personal life, I've noticed that when I'm praying for someone in my family, it's easier to love them. You'll become a little more patient with them, and will begin to see your family members in a positive, more healthy perspective. Another great benefit of conversing with God about your loved ones is that it forces you to find out exactly what's going on in their lives. When I pray for Donna, I need to know her needs - emotionally, physically and spiritually - so I can speak to God about them. 3. Couples praying together for their marriage - Talking with God together as husband and wife, perhaps more than anything else you can do as a couple, will help you keep the vows you made to each other on your wedding day. You are acknowledging to the Lord that He is in charge of your marriage, and that you are committed to staying together and making your marriage work, regardless of the challenges you may face. Bible teacher Charles Stanley once said, "The power of prayer can never be overestimated because of the omnipotent God who hears and answers." As prayer becomes a daily, vibrant facet of your family's existence, don't be surprised when the relationships in your home become happier and healthier. Bring God alive in your family as never before. Make the power of prayer a reality for your loved ones today!