Scripture
Joshua 24:14-15
“Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Reflection
The concept of family is precious to God, and is intended to be a gift and a blessing to us. As families, we are called to reflect God’s love together, and to serve Him faithfully both inside and outside the home. Sadly, this is often the exception in our society, and we must pray for renewing grace to become the families God calls us to be.
Prayer
Pray for marriages.
Pray for faithfulness among spouses. Pray for those who are struggling in their marriages to repent, forgive, and be restored to one another. Pray for God to reconcile and renew couples who have given up hope. Pray that Christian marriages would reflect the gospel of Jesus to the watching world.
Pray for children.
Pray that every child in every home will be loved, nurtured, and protected. Pray against abandonment, but pray also for homes for orphans and those in foster care. Pray that this generation of kids comes to know and love God with all their hearts.
Pray for schools.
Pray that schools will be safe places, free from violence, drugs, and bullying. Pray for the faculties of our local schools to be encouraged in their pursuit of nurturing our children. Pray that there will be no failures or drop-outs, but that every child will experience success.
