PRAYING WITH YOUR FAMILY - Acts 1:14


Praying with your family.  Each day I try to do my best to encourage you and
give you practical guidance to help translate your faith into your every day
life.  Today is one of those core areas that is critical to the spiritual
life of a family.  Men, you are REQUIRED to take the spiritual headship of
your home and make prayer part of the daily life at your house.  You should
pray with your spouse EVERY day alone, and the two of you should be praying
with your kids EVERY day.  Does this insure you have no problems in your
marriage, or with your children.  NO.  But it must be part of our every day
life to commit the issues we are facing to the Lord in prayer, to be
thankful for all God does for us each day, to openly express our dependence
on Him.  For those single moms, during this season, you need to be the
spiritual leader in your home and it is up to you to make time each day to
pray with your kids. There is nothing greater you can do for your marriage
and in the life of your family than that daily time of prayer together.

This is not a matter to debate.  The Bible clearly tells us to pray one for
another.  How much more should we pray together as husband and wife..as a
family unit?  It becomes like everything else in our life, a matter of
priorities.  It is amazing how much we can accomplish when it is something
we want to do.  However, there always seems to be reasons why we can't do
the things necessary to maintain our focus on the things of God.  I am not
talking about 5 hour long prayer meetings, though there may be times when
that is greatly needed.  Even 15 minutes, praying about the issues you are
currently facing.  There is no better lesson for your kids than to see God
answering prayers in their life, and not answering in some cases.  It helps
prepare them for the real world they are living in and helps them to learn
to be dependent upon God each day.  For a husband and wife, you share the
most intimate thing possible physically, yet for some reason you can't share
in the most intimate thing spiritually.  that never has made sense to me.

Trust me, I realize that this is a big step for many.  Let me leave you with
this challenge. Take the next 4 weeks.  Make 5 minutes each day to pray with
your spouse alone, and another 5 to pray with the children.  With your
spouse, each of you take a few minutes to share your needs, then the
husband, or wife, lead in prayer for those needs.  Before you end, each of
you just take a minute to pray for your spouse, that God will bless them
richly that day.  Same with your kids.  Take a few minutes to have each of
your children share the needs pressing, then either dad or mom lead in
prayer..then both the mom and dad should pray over each child for God's
protection and blessings.  A side note, keeping a prayer journal is a great
way to look back after 6 months and see God's faithfulness.  Simply write
down the request and date...and then the answer when it comes and the date.
MAKE THIS A PRIORITY TO DO EACH DAY FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS.

Trust me when I tell you that it will change you relationship with your
spouse and children. OK, for those who have a spouse that isn't saved and 
isn't going to go forthis, here is the plan.  Spend a few minutes either at 
night or in the morning when your spouse is sleeping to lay your hand on them 
and pray for them.  Then, gather your kids and have your prayer time with them 
with your spouse.

Praying with your spouse each day, praying with your kids each day, doesn't 
make your home immune from the trials and
tribulations of this world.  It will however keep your home focused each day
on the Lord, and who is in control.  The journey of faith we are on is a
24/7 experience.  Not one hour on Sunday, or every now and then.  Can you
see how much harder it becomes to be involved in sin when you are focusing
on the Lord each day personally, and then with your spouse, and then with
your kids.  God will honor those who honor Him.  It is time we quit being so
lazy, quit waiting until we are in the midst of crisis to call out to the
Lord.  

The reason we are weak and ineffective in our Christian lives is
because we are lazy and do nothing to strengthen ourselves for the storms of
life.  When they come, we are lost and have no idea how to fight.  A good
soldier is always in training so that when it is time for battle they are
prepared.  The Bible tells us that our enemy is not of flesh and blood...it
is a spiritual battle we are in.  Subsequently, it is critical that we are
training daily to fight those spiritual battles, both in our personal life,
and in the lives of those God has given us in this life.

It could be the difference between seeing victory or defeat in your marriage
and the lives of your children.  God is placing the weapons you need to fight 
with in your hands...use them.

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller