The Bread of Life
Daily Devotionals - Prayers - Spiritual Growth - Words of Wisdom
 

Today's Devotional

Praying Together Softens Our Hearts (Ephesians 6:1-4)

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 
“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4-5)

Apostle Paul is exhorting the Ephesians and all families to how to deal with one another. 
He is asking the children to obey their parents and asking the parents to not provoke their children, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. 
But this cannot be achieved without the presence of the Lord in the Holy Spirit. 
A Christian family, is like any other family, sometimes experience times of disagreement and conflict between the parents, the siblings infighting, or a dispute between a parent and a child. 
Tempers flare, angry words are uttered, and hearts get hurt which cause division, tension, and turmoil in the family.
The father’s first impulse is always to try to apply discipline. 
He uses his position and power as a parent, but never seeks God’s wisdom to guide and counsel appropriately. 
Most of the parents forget Jesus’ role in leading the family because they are occupied with daily activities and responsibilities. 
But we all must remember that Jesus is the head of our homes. 
We must have time to pray together as a family to our Lord laying all our burdens or disagreements at His feet. 
We must find the appropriate time to pray together either in the morning, or at bed time, or around the dinner table, or even when we are in the car going anywhere. 
This habit of praying together brings all the family members closer to the Lord Jesus, and to each other.
We read in the book of Proverbs, chapter twenty -two, “Start children off on how they should go, even when they are old, they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) 
Typically, the father or mother might lead in prayer, but it’s essential to allow each family member to pray or even take turns leading if time doesn’t allow everyone to pray. 
When we pray as a family, we put our feelings into words in conversation, and they pour out while we pray to our compassionate and caring Lord. 
Jesus Himself commanded us to ask Him and He promised to answer our prayers, if we pray with faith and trust in Him. 
We can start with prayer requests and praises before we pray, which will also alert all the family members to what each one is dealing with in their personal lives. 
The younger we start this practice, the more comfortable kids become with sharing their feelings, fears, and foes. 
This will enlighten the parents and let them hear the struggles, the temptations, and even the victories their kids are experiencing in school and with friends. 
It also alerts parents to a child hiding something and not sharing. 
It is also an opportunity for parents to share any trials or blessings they're experiencing that need prayers. 
Encouraging children to pray for each other, for parents, or maybe grandparents, extended family, and friends in need of prayer. 
This teaches them how to intercede and carry each other’s burdens. 
Admitting in prayer that there is a concern we need to take to God relieves anxiety. 
It's empowering for the entire family. 
May we all pray with our families so that the power of the Holy Spirit fills all the days of our lives. 
Amen.
 

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