Pray Together

There are quite a lot of things that I admire about my parents and how they've raised my brothers and I. They weren't perfect parents, but who is? And they've always been very honest about their imperfections. One of the many important things I've learned from them is how to repent, how to ask for forgiveness, and how to lean on God in our weaknesses. They always pointed us to Jesus. Their most adamant expectation of us kids was (and still is) that we have a relationship with God and make that relationship the most important thing in our lives. I wouldn't want any other earthly parents than the ones that I've got. 

The thing that I intended to share about my parents though is the fact that they taught us how to pray, and pray without ceasing. I don't know a lot of parents who pray with their kids or with each other regularly. I don't know a lot of individuals who pray with others regularly. When I say pray together, I don't mean "saying grace" before dinner. I mean sitting together for at least a half hour, praying about life, making choices, asking God to intervene, to teach you about Himself, to heal, to speak. Now of course, it's harder to pray with younger kids for longer periods of time, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to pray for at least 10 minutes, right? (As an aside, I remember as a kid sitting on the lap of the mother of a friend, listening to her family pray in Swahili for at least an hour at a time. I didn't really understand the beautiful language, but I felt the importance of the time seeking God as a family. I think that will probably stay with me for the rest of my life. So don't hestitate to pray with your kids and their friends too!). I don't mean to bring this up to make anybody feel bad but to get people thinking about how much time they spend praying with others, especially their kids or parents. It's a necessary part of life with Jesus. He prayed a lot, and He taught His disciples how to do so by example. We need that time of focus on and with God and with fellow believers. I don't know about you, but I can't make it through the day without prayer. And I thank God for that because it means that He's not going to ever not let me need Him (even if there are times when I'm mad about being so weak).

But anyway, I would encourage that if you don't pray with others in your life, especially your kids or your parents, definitely start. It will not only strengthen your relationship and dependence on God, but it will also strengthen your relationship with those with whom you pray. I would also highly suggest this to dating couples. Get the habit started now before the relationship progresses and you forget that you need to seek God together through prayer. It will knit you together more than most activities done together could ever accomplish. And it will encourage the remembrance that God cares and is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives. We serve such a good God, who desires to have us to come and speak with Him. Why spend anymore time not doing that together with those you love?

" We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,  and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.  And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24