Don’t Forget The Family Prayer

We used to sometimes sing,

Don’t Forget the family prayer; Jesus wants to meet you there; He will take your every care; oh, don’t forget the family prayer.

This lyric suggests that families encounter trouble. Maybe they are concerned about rent, or employment, or social rejection, or sickness, and death. Jesus wants to meet us regarding these things so he can help carry the sorrow.

I have sometimes asked myself about my reflexive patterns in family prayer. Yesteryear with our parents was full of prayers, and then Diane and I prayed with and for our own children, inviting them to participate.

Noticeable to me now is that I carry my concerns into prayer, starting with my siblings, then my children, and usually in order, sometimes by their nicknames: “Bobbie, Chuckie, Beverly, Zeekie, Tootie, Dondi, Wook, and Yums.” Then I pray for our five, “Charity, David, Matt, Jared, and Christian.” After that, I may move on to nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and so on. Of course, I’ve uplifted my parents forever. Later in life, I learned the power of remembering ancestors.

There is no value attached to the name sequence. I call their names in the order that I met them. It feels to me that this format reflects my reality. I can then pray for many other folks and, who knows, maybe you.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

(Ephesians 6:18)

 

 

 

 

 

Brittney Griner

we love you.

Brittney Griner we love you.