When Family Prayers Get Dull

There are times we discover our prayers have become too routine. Mealtime prayers. Bedtime prayers. Liturgical prayers.

It happens. We overhear ourselves praying – and the words sound empty.

If we are praying with our children in that moment we might wonder if they, too, sense how routine our prayers have gotten.

They do.

I recall an evening not long ago, after ending an especially heartfelt prayer, one of our children turned to me and said, "That was a really good prayer!"

She could sense the difference. She knew it was good. An honest and unpretentious communication with God. That’s the way I always want to pray.

But when we fall into a rut we needn’t despair.

The fact we are praying in front of our children, with our children, and for our children, already puts them miles ahead in their spiritual discipleship.

But in those moments the Holy Spirit is indeed nudging us – the priests of our homes – to “get real” with God in the way we talk with Him in front of our families.

•       •       •

I wrecked our car on our honeymoon.

I gently tucked the front end under a flatbed semi-trailer at a stop sign.

The semi driver drove off having no clue. After the initial shock I led Sarah and myself in a prayer of thanksgiving. Not thanking God we were okay – we hadn’t really been in danger. But thanking Him in our disaster, the same as I would if He had just profoundly blessed us.

How was this my reaction at the fresh age of twenty-three?

Because that is what had been modeled to me for twenty-three years.

For all my life I had watched my parents give thanks to God in front of us – their five children – in hard times just as in the good.

… singing and making music from your heart to the Lord,
giving thanks always for everything to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ …
– Ephesians 5:19b-20

Practice impromptu verbal conversation with God when you are alone – driving, walking, waiting in line...  Then, try it when you are with your children.

When you do, they will witness their very own 'parent-priest' being imperfectly courageous, humble, and vulnerable. They will hear – and learn – the fumbling words to use in real-time situations of disappointment, despair, and an incredible willingness to trust that God is good.

Rejoice always!
Pray constantly.
Give thanks in everything [all circumstances],
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18