Raising a Family Altar of Prayer(Kikuyu Version) 1 Thess. 5:17

The Voice Speaks by Pr. Joseph Kinyanjui

Family in Prayers

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray continually

Family is the institution of God and thus it is not strange that it is opposed and attacked for this is what the devil does. It is the platform through which God manifest His blessings and power. It’s out of family that life is made and the creation of God is managed and stewarded. This is why as a family we must be seriously connected with God.

How can Family perfect her prayer life?

1. Formed of God - Realize that your source is God

• Remain connected to the source- Gen.2:18 “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

• “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” – Psalm 127:3-5

2. Alert/aware of the enemy-Realize that the enemy is real

• Devil attacks establishment of God- Gen.3:1ff “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

• Keep fighting-1Pet.5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

3. Made to prosper. Realize that you are not to settle for less

• God made a rich family-Gen.1:28 “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

• Long life-“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12

4. Impact through service. Realize the purpose of the family is to serve God

• Pray for your family to serve God- Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

5. Labor for the family. Realize that the kingdom of God suffers violence and your family must make it

• Forgiving is not easy yet it must happen-“Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” – Colossians 3:13

• Unity must be pursued-“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1

6. Yearn for prayers. Realize that nothing happens except by prayer

• Prayer is unending in life. 1Th.5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

• To love is not easy yet marriage and family is founded on it-“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” – Ephesians 5:25

Conclusion

All families will function only if they are connected with God for unless we abide in the lord there is no life.