Incorporating Prayer into your family routine
Prayer is a good thing. It can be an integral part of who you are as a person, a couple, and a family. Sometimes, it's easy to forget how much our family needs prayer. Just like regular meals and exercise, prayer is something that needs to be set aside regularly. If you don't make it part of your routine, it won't become a habit and will likely fall by the wayside.
Here are some ideas for how you can incorporate prayer into your daily routine:
At breakfast: Have a moment of silence so that each person can ask God for guidance and strength for their day. You can also pray for each other as a family!
While driving: Try praying out loud while driving (or singing) to remind yourself that God is always listening. It is important to pray as you drive to and from work, school, or wherever you're going throughout your day.
When cooking dinner: Pray before starting your meal—it's an easy way to connect with God when you're busy doing other things around the house!
During homework time: When there's extra time in between projects or assignments, take advantage of it by reading Scripture together and reflecting on how it applies to what you're learning.
Pray before bedtime: This is a great way to start your day, and it will help you relax when you get home from work or school.
Pray in between tasks: Sometimes it's hard to focus on what we need to do when we're multitasking all day long—but prayer can help keep our minds focused so that we can get through the tasks at hand.
Pray before eating: Eating is one of the most important things in our lives, but sometimes it's just not as enjoyable without some prayers beforehand. Take a quiet moment to pray at lunchtime or break time at work.
Pray before going out: If you're leaving the house, pray for protection and guidance as you go out into the world. It'll make your trip better and safer than if you didn't have any faith or confidence in yourself or God's plan for your life.
Keep a written prayer journal. This can be a great way to keep track of answered prayers and look back on how God has been at work in your life.
Don’t be afraid to ask others for prayer. We’re called to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), but this can only happen if we are honest with each other about our struggles.
Use something called “prayer walking” as a way to pray while you exercise. As you walk, pray that God would do what only He can do in the lives of people you pass or homes you see along the way.
When you’re trying to do too much. It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine and forget about prayer. Of course, this isn't sustainable, and neglecting prayer can begin to take a toll on your faith. Take a moment to pray for focus and mindfulness when you are beginning to feel overwhelmed.
You can keep prayer at the forefront of your mind by incorporating it into your daily routine. There's no right or wrong way to go about it – the key is just taking the time to ensure that you stay connected with God daily. Let us know your routine and the effect it has for your family. Email livingword@lwfc.org if you would like us to pray for you or someone you know.