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Praying For Our Families
by Norman and Ann Bales
All About Families
Today I've had it in my mind to write something about praying for our families. When I begin concentrating on a subject like that, I usually start going over scripture texts that might have some bearing on the subject. We discussed this and began looking for scripture. That's when it dawned on us that the Bible doesn't say a great deal about praying for our families. It provides no rationale for offering intercessory prayer for our spouses and children. We don't have a list of family concerns that we need to take to the Father. In the Lord's model prayer in Matthew 6, there is no specific mention of family petitions.
We have some scattered references to family intercession here and there. Hannah prayed for the birth of Samuel. Later her prayer of thanksgiving is recorded in 1 Samuel 2. 2 Samuel 12:22 implies that David prayed for his stricken son. Strangely enough in the sordid Amnon-Absalom-Tamar conflict there is no Biblical record of David's having made intercession for them.
With respect to marriage, the New Testament addresses the subject of husband and wife praying on two occasions - 1 Corinthians 7:5 and 1 Peter 3:7.
Why does the Bible seemingly say so little about prayers for our family? We are not sure that we know the precise reason, but here's a guess. Prayer so permeates the life of a Godly person that praying for your family just seems to be the natural thing to do. Prayer is a potent weapon for all who engage in spiritual warfare. After describing the Christian's armor, Paul urged his Ephesian brothers and sisters to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep praying for the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). Does that include our families? Without a doubt it does.
We see families disintegrating every day. We see families conflicted over drugs, morality and life style choices. We see families grieving over the loss of loved ones. Other families are anxious about health concerns. Many of us are concerned about family members who aren't walking with the Lord. What can we do? Your first, last and most potent weapon is prayer.
