FAMILY :
(בֵּ֥ית אָבִֽי, beith aviy; מִשְׁפָּחָה, mishpachah; πατριά, patria; οἶκος, oikos). Members of a household who may or may not be related biologically. Responsible for the care of its members. The chief collective through which property is passed.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you set the solitary in
families: We commend to your continual care the homes in
which your people dwell. Put far from them every root of
bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them
with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and true
godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy
matrimony, have been made one flesh; turn the hearts of parents
to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents; and
so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore
be joined to one another with bonds of loving-kindness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Family Unity:
Gracious God,
We come before You today with hearts full of gratitude for the precious gift of family. You have woven us together with bonds of love and shared life, a unique tapestry of personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Lord, we ask for Your unifying presence within our family. Where there is discord, bring harmony. Where there is a misunderstanding, grant clarity and empathy. Where there is hurt, pour out Your healing balm of forgiveness, helping us to forgive others as You forgive us. Fill our home with patience, kindness, and understanding. Help us to listen truly to one another, to speak words that build up rather than tear down, and to see each other through Your eyes, with compassion and unconditional love. Strengthen the ties that bind us. Remind us that we are a team, meant to support, encourage, and uplift one another through joys and challenges. Protect our family from influences that seek to divide us, whether from within or without. Grant us wisdom to navigate our differences respectfully and humility to admit when we are wrong. Help us cherish our time together, creating memories rooted in love, laughter, and mutual respect. May our family be a reflection of Your love in the world, a sanctuary of peace and acceptance. Unite us, Lord, in heart and purpose. We ask all this in Your holy and loving name. Amen.
For the Family
Merciful Savior, you loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus, hallowing their home with your sacred presence: Bless our home, we pray, that your love may rest upon us, and that your presence may dwell with us. May we all grow in grace and in the knowledge of you, our Lord and Savior. Teach us to love one another as you have commanded. Help us to bear one another’s burdens in fulfillment of your law, O blessed Jesus, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“I cannot tell you how much I owe to the custom on Sunday evenings while we were yet children for Mother to stay at home with us, and then we sat around the table and read verse after verse and she explained the Scriptures to us. After that was done there came a time of pleading, and the question was asked how long it would be before we would think about our state; how long before we would seek the Lord. Then came a mother’s prayer; and some of the words of our mother’s prayer we shall never forget even when our hair is gray.”
—Charles Haddon Spurgeon
For the Care of Children
Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the
joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient
wisdom so to train them, that they may love all that is true, and
pure, and lovely, and of good report, following the example of
their Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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