We started the first day of June with another method for connecting with God and with each other as a family. Change has been the constant in this area of our lives as we've adapted to our children's growth and our family's personal needs while clinging to the priorities of instilling Christian and family values in our kids. As with most families, we began the journey with bedtime prayers and Bible stories, but that has evolved to include a plethora of other efforts with each change of family dynamics. With one of our children moving out and others schedules out of sync, it was time for an adjustment. While we still set aside a family night and squeeze in a few meals together, we wanted that daily, spiritual connection. So, at the end of May, we came up with a list of things we wanted to pray for each other. Then, we looked up verses to go along with those prayer topics. On June 1st, we started praying those focused prayers and the coordinating verses for one another. The day goes a little like this: I send out a group text. For example, "Today's prayer focus is to grow in Christ-likeness. Colossians 2:6-7 "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." I may include a comment and a question to encourage a discussion. On this day, my comment was "What comes to mind when you think of Jesus? Do you have that/those Christ-qualities? I often think of Him as my Shepherd, so I think of His being calm and tender. Both of these are areas in which I need growth!" Family members then reply with their own comments. One of my children said, "I usually think of Him as a Savior with qualities of compassion and forgiveness. I think I am usually compassionate, but I do struggle with forgiveness." My prayer for my family will incorporate the verse and requests centered around my family's responses. It may be something like, "Lord, help my family and me to have Your character and qualities. We are filled with You, so let us grow more like You so that others see You in us and so that You see more of Yourself in us. Establish us with deep root systems in your Spirit so that your Spirit can produce your nature in our lives. Help me to be more tender toward others and calm in the face of adversity. Help my child to forgive others even as you, for Christ's sake, have given forgiveness..." See how it works? Regardless of conflict of schedules, and in spite of our kids transitioning to adulthood, we are able to keep the God element as part of our family structure.
Tip/Tidbit: Even if you do not have children, you can share this activity with your mate or a prayer partner. Come up with your own list of requests and verses. Shoot a text or take a minute to pray them together. Maybe calling and praying over the phone works best for you and a friend. Or taking a minute to have coffee and focused prayer with your mate before you head off to work may be more ideal. The important things are unified prayer and praying the Word over one another. It only takes two to apply Matthew 18:19 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
Tip/Tidbit: Even if you do not have children, you can share this activity with your mate or a prayer partner. Come up with your own list of requests and verses. Shoot a text or take a minute to pray them together. Maybe calling and praying over the phone works best for you and a friend. Or taking a minute to have coffee and focused prayer with your mate before you head off to work may be more ideal. The important things are unified prayer and praying the Word over one another. It only takes two to apply Matthew 18:19 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
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