Have you been pondering the importance of establishing a strong spiritual foundation for the well-being and growth of your families? In this blog, you will find practical tips and ideas on how to integrate prayer into your family's daily routine and establish a deep and lasting connection with God. Regardless of whether you have young children, teenagers, or a combination of both, there are methods to make prayer an organic and delightful aspect of your family life. So, let's dive in and explore the power of praying together as a family!
1. Schedule
family prayer time: Set aside a specific time each day or week for family
prayer. This could be in the morning, before bed, or on a designated day of the
week.
The way families incorporate prayer into their routines can vary depending on the age of their children. For families with young children, shorter evening prayers may be more suitable. They could also start the day with a simple "Hello, Good morning Jesus" prayer with either mom or dad. Another option could be incorporating prayer into naptime routines.
2. Begin
with short prayers: Start with simple prayers that are easy for everyone to
remember and participate in. This could include saying grace before meals or
reciting the Our Father and Hail Mary.
Consider acquiring a family prayer book or individual ones
for each of your children, if possible. Alternatively, you could print out the
essential Catholic prayers and display them near your family altar. This will
serve as a valuable resource for your children to memorize these prayers, especially
for those who can already read. During your family prayer sessions, designate a
child to recite one of the basic Catholic prayers.
3. Pray
before meals: Incorporate a prayer before each meal as a way to come together
as a family and express gratitude for the food and blessings in your lives.
You can say the traditional Prayer Before Meals or ask a
family member to lead a short ‘from the heart’ prayer.
4. Let the
children hear your prayers for them: Take the time to pray over your children,
expressing your love and hopes for them. This not only strengthens their faith
but also shows them the importance of prayer.
In addition, make sure to consistently express your
gratitude to God for their presence in your life. Furthermore, take the time to
acknowledge and appreciate the numerous virtues and positive qualities that you
observe in them.
Sharing your hopes and aspirations for your children not
only demonstrates your trust in the Lord and your commitment to seeking His
guidance in parenting, but it also helps them understand the power of
intercession.
Say what’s in your heart and include a fruit or gift of the Holy Spirit or a virtue you want your children to practice. For older children, it may go something like this:
Dear God, I want to express the deepest desires of my heart, which are rooted in love and guided by the teachings of the Holy Spirit. As a parent, I strive to instill in my children the virtues of kindness, patience, and self-control.
Firstly, I wish for my children to embody the gift of kindness. Just as a ripe and juicy apple nourishes the body, kindness nourishes the soul. I hope they will always extend a helping hand to those in need, treating others with compassion and empathy.
Secondly, I pray that my children embrace the gift of
patience. Like a seedling growing into a fruitful tree, patience allows for
personal growth and understanding. I want them to learn the importance of
waiting, to be patient with themselves and others, and to have faith that
everything unfolds in its own perfect time.
5. Pray
over them: In addition to praying for your children, physically lay hands on
them and pray for their well-being, protection, and guidance.
6. Teach
young children the Guardian Angel Prayer: Help young children learn and recite
the Guardian Angel Prayer, which is a simple prayer asking for protection and
guidance from their guardian angel.
7. Understand
why we pray as a family: Explain to your children the importance of praying
together as a family. Emphasize that it helps to grow in faith together and
builds stronger relationships with each other and with God.
Younger children may not always enjoy sitting still and
participating in family prayer, but it is important to encourage them and allow
them to have some freedom of movement or hold onto a favorite toy. Over time,
they will gradually be able to join in for longer periods of time. Additionally,
if young children are involved, consider having shorter prayers that last
around 5 to 10 minutes.
For older children and pre-teens, a great way to make family prayer time shorter is to ask them to compose a short prayer that they can read aloud. This eliminates the need for them to pause and think about what to say, making the prayer time more efficient.
8. Get teens praying with the family: Encourage teenagers to participate in family prayer by allowing them to lead prayers, choose readings, or share their own intentions. Make prayer a time for open discussion and reflection.
9. Pray in different settings: Find opportunities to pray as a family in various settings, such as in the car before heading off somewhere or during a long car ride. This can help make prayer a natural part of everyday life.
10. Listen
to podcast prayers and follow along: Explore podcasts or online resources that
provide guided prayers or reflections. This can be a helpful tool for families
to pray together, especially if they are new to praying as a family or looking
for different prayer experiences.
Here are some Apps you may want to try.
Podcasts to try on Spotify:
Catholic Morning Offering Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/04ceROEXmgE5wtosWEkauW?si=e2ca587952e046f5
Catholic Prayers for Everyday
https://open.spotify.com/show/1T0gcG6P6pTx4Tm8n5OSJv?si=0f0e6c9f27244f46
Pray More Novenas
https://open.spotify.com/show/3WTqdE25MVhLG1p6qV84X2?si=25e534150f3a4123
So, are you ready to start praying together as a family? Take the challenge and commit to making it a priority in your household. Set aside time each day or week to come together and seek God's presence. Remember, a strong spiritual foundation starts with unity in prayer.