Bible-based prayers for “Family”, to read or listen to.
Unity in our home
A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Father of us all, thank you for the family you have given us. You know it isn't always easy to live together. We have different personalities, tiring days and words that sometimes hurt. We ask you to truly unite us. Give us patience to listen to one another, humility to say sorry and joy to celebrate what is good in each of us. May there be more laughter than arguments in our home, and more hugs than silences. Make this home a place where everyone feels loved and safe, and where you are welcome every day. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
Faithful God, I bring my parents before you, now that they are getting old. Thank you for everything they gave me, for their sacrifices and for the years they spent caring for me. Now their strength is fading, and sometimes I'm afraid of what lies ahead. You do not cast off your own in old age or forsake them when their strength fails. Take care of their bodies and their minds, give them rest and peace, and take loneliness away from them. Give me patience, tenderness and wisdom to be there for them well, without neglecting my other responsibilities. May they feel honored and loved to the very end. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
God of all comfort, my family is wounded. There are words that can't be erased, distances that have grown over the years and people who no longer speak to each other. It hurts me to see the ones I love most like this. You know the whole story, what no one says and what each person carries inside. You call us to bear with one another in love and to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Begin your work in me, so that I don't feed resentment. Open paths of dialogue where today there are only walls. If reconciliation is slow in coming, give me peace to wait without losing hope. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
Father, today I think of my loved ones who live far away. Distance, work or migration separated us, and there are days when homesickness weighs heavily. Thank you that you are here with me and also there with them. You watch between us even when we are apart. Protect them on their journeys, in their health and in their decisions. May our messages and calls, however brief, be full of affection. Guard our love from growing cold or forgotten. And if it is your will, let us embrace again soon. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
God of peace, thank you for my brothers and sisters. We grew up together, we share memories, games and fights too. Over the years each of us went our own way, and sometimes it is hard for us to understand one another. I ask you to bless each one wherever they are. Heal the comparisons, the old jealousies and the hurts we never talked about. Just as Esau ran to embrace Jacob after so long, let there be sincere reunions and tears of reconciliation among us. Help me take the first step when it is needed. May our bond be stronger than our differences. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Lord of our house, today we decide, as a family, that we want to serve you. In a world with so many voices and so much hurry, we want your word to have first place among us. Teach us to pray together, to read the Bible at the table and to help one another in everyday things. May our children and grandchildren see a sincere faith and not just words. When we fail, remind us that we can always come back to you. Make this home a light for neighbors and friends, an open place where your love can be felt. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
