Family Prayer
Hi families! Though we’ve had to cancel in-person services due to wintry weather, this unexpected time at home does present a unique opportunity to have devotional family time, something that can be hard to come by day to day.
Worshipping as a family is a powerfully formative space for discipleship in the home! There is no one way to do this, but I do want to provide a template that our family has used many times as a means of encouraging you to connect. You can find it below.
God bless you and stay warm!
Dave
Kids and Youth Discipleship Pastor
A Guide for Family Prayer
The following template is borrowed from the 2019 Book of Common Prayer, found here. It is adapted to provide context for each section.
Set the Scene
If available, find candles to light. Let kids who are able take part in lighting. Optionally sing a verse from a song. A cappella is great, or find one streaming that you enjoy! Instruments, even simple percussion toys, add to the experience. Any input and participation from the kids ups their engagement.
Appoint Readers
Get everyone who can read involved! Use the guide for scripture or look up passages together.
Note: The asterisks are meant to indicate call and response.
OPENING SENTENCE
Said together
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise.
~ PSALM 51:15 ~
PSALM 51:10-12
Miserere mei, Deus
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence, *
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
O give me the comfort of your help again,
and sustain me with your willing Spirit.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
A READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE
~ COLOSSIANS 1:12-14 ~
Give thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Word of the LORD
Thanks be to God*
A period of silence may follow.
PRAISE
Choose a song known by the group. Even a single verse and chorus is worth it!
INTERCESSIONS
Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others, including family, friends, school, neighborhood, city, nation, and the ends of the earth.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
THE COLLECT
A collect (pronounced CALL-ekt) is a prayer written to “collect” the prayers of the people.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
To conclude, share God’s peace with one another!