How Do I Get My Family

to Pray Together?

23 June 2024

Family prayer is one of the most beautiful and powerful practices in a Christian home. Yet, many of us struggle with it. Sometimes, inviting the family to pray together can feel like a battle—one person wants to pray, while others seem distracted or busy, leading to arguments instead of peace. How can we create a meaningful time of family prayer without conflict?

Learning from the Prayer Life of Jesus

Jesus prayed often, and the Bible gives us many examples:

After His baptism: Luke 3:21
After a long day of ministry: Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16
Before choosing His apostles: Luke 6:12
Before asking His disciples about His identity: Luke 9:18
During the Transfiguration: Luke 9:29
Giving thanks to the Father: Matt 11:25, Luke 10:21
Teaching His disciples how to pray: Luke 11:1
After feeding the five thousand: Matt 14:23

Notice one pattern: Jesus often prayed alone. He modeled prayer for His disciples but did not force them to pray. Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, when He invited them to pray with Him, they fell asleep (Matt 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46).

The lesson is clear: Prayer must come from the heart. Forcing someone to pray does not create true prayer.

Prayer Cannot Be Forced

Jesus never scolded His disciples for not praying. Just as He did not criticize them for not fasting when the Pharisees and John’s disciples did (Mark 2:18, Luke 5:33), He teaches us that spiritual growth takes time. Forcing prayer can be counterproductive. Instead, we lead by example and allow others to grow in their own time.

When we pray regularly, our family is spiritually protected. Even if they are not praying yet, our prayers shield the household and invite God’s presence. This is similar to how the apostles learned from Jesus’ example—they began a life of devoted prayer after His Ascension (Acts 1:14).

The Wisdom of Wine and Wineskins

Jesus compared spiritual maturity to wine and wineskins (Matt 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37-38). New wine must be stored in new wineskins, not old ones. Similarly, prayer cannot be forced upon hearts that are not ready. As family members grow in faith, they will learn to appreciate prayer naturally.

Why Pray Together?

Jesus said:

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Matt 18:20

Family prayer is powerful because Jesus’ presence is felt when hearts unite. But the key is sincerity—prayers must come from the heart. Simply going through the motions will not invite His presence.

Practical Steps for Family Prayer

Set a consistent time: Choose a regular daily time for prayer that everyone can anticipate.
Respect prayer time: Avoid postponing it for trivial reasons. Family commitments should honor God first.
Lead by example: Your own dedication to prayer will inspire others naturally.
Include all ages: Encourage children to join. Adults should participate willingly, without force.
Pray together, even if incomplete: If someone is absent, the rest of the family can pray together.
Major decisions follow prayer: Make it a habit to invite God into family decisions.

The Power of Persistent Prayer

A historic example is Saint Monica, the mother of St. Augustine. Her persistent prayers led to her son’s conversion, showing the long-term power of prayer in family life. Today, St. Augustine is remembered as one of the great Church Fathers of the Latin Church.

Conclusion

Prayer cannot be forced—it is a personal encounter with God that must grow naturally. Families who lead by example, respect prayer, and maintaining consistent times will gradually inspire others to pray. Like Jesus and His disciples, faith develops through guidance, example, and love.

Remember: A family that prays together grows together in God’s love.

References

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) Part Four, Section One
Understanding the Bible - Catholic teaching on Prayer
Wikipedia – Saint Monica
Wikipedia – Augustine of Hippo
Wikipedia – Wineskin

Welcome

Pages

Sunday, June 23, 2024