The Family Room: Why Prayer Matters

In Daily Devotional, Prayer, Spiritual Growth by Rick Johnson

Theme of the Week: A Godly Home

Bible Verse: “Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.“ Deuteronomy 11:19, CSB

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 11: 16-21

Part of our role as leaders of our families is to be spiritual mentors for our children. It’s a responsibility I felt least adequate to fulfill when I accepted Christ into my life. But God is more interested in what you can become than what you are now. I found that my children (and wife) willingly followed my lead into spiritual growth—no matter how pathetic my efforts as a teacher and guide. The important thing was that I tried.

The best (and easiest) way I found to spiritually lead my family was through prayer. While praying in front of our children can initially be intimidating for some, it is a powerful example and teaches our children the humility of being accountable to a higher authority than ourselves. It also teaches them a model of faith much more powerful than anything we tell them. Sometimes the only thing a parent can do is pray for their children. Become a prayer warrior for your family—it will save them from many situations when you can’t be there to protect them.

Pray for your children every day—a husband and wife’s prayers are powerful together. Pray for their spiritual, emotional, physical, and psychological health and safety. Pray God would bring healthy mentors and good friends into their lives. Pray for their sexual purity. Pray for their future spouse (and their parents). Pray for wisdom and discernment. And pray for your child’s decision-making. My wife prayed daily that our children would get “caught.” She knew that they would make mistakes and poor choices, but if they got caught the first time, it would prevent them from continuing. Our children were continually baffled that they got caught whenever they strayed from the path.


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About
Rick Johnson
Rick Johnson is a bestselling author and popular international speaker. He is also the founder of Better Dads Ministries. Rick’s books include Better Dads Stronger Sons, 10 Things Great Dads Do, and Becoming the Dad Your Daughter Needs.
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Rick Johnson
Rick Johnson is a bestselling author and popular international speaker. He is also the founder of Better Dads Ministries. Rick’s books include Better Dads Stronger Sons, 10 Things Great Dads Do, and Becoming the Dad Your Daughter Needs.