Family Prayer
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of family prayer and how it can hold a family together and bring spiritual growth.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the significance of family prayer, highlighting its power in fostering unity and spiritual strength within the home. He shares personal experiences of praying with his wife and the impact of family prayer during his childhood, illustrating how it can shape lives and relationships. Wilkerson encourages families to prioritize prayer, regardless of individual participation, as it can still create a spiritual atmosphere in the home. He stresses that even if some family members are reluctant, personal commitment to prayer can still influence the household positively.
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"If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 18:19). Some Christians call this "agreement praying." You are deeply blessed if you have a devoted brother or sister to pray with. Indeed, the most powerful intercessors I've known have come in two's and three's.
The place where this kind of prayer takes place most powerfully is the home. My wife, Gwen, and I pray together daily, and I believe it holds our family together. We prayed for each of our children during their growing up years, that not one of them would be lost. We prayed about their friendships and relationships and for their future mates, and now we're doing the same with our grandchildren.
Very few Christian families take time for prayer in the home. I personally can testify that I am in the ministry today because of the power of family prayer. When I was a child, every day, no matter where my siblings and I were playing, in the front yard or down the street, my mother would call out the front door of our home, "David, Jerry, Juanita, Ruth, it's prayer time!" (My brother Don wasn't born yet.)
The whole neighborhood knew about our family prayer time. Sometimes I hated to hear that call, and I griped and groaned about it. But something clearly happened in those times of prayer, with the Spirit moving amid our family and touching our souls.
Maybe you can't see yourself holding family prayer. Maybe you have a spouse who isn't cooperative or a child who's rebellious. Beloved, it doesn't matter who chooses not to be involved. You can still come to the kitchen table and bow your head and pray. That will serve as your household's prayer time and every family member will know it.
Sermon Outline
- The Power of Agreement Prayer
- The Role of Family Prayer
- Overcoming Obstacles to Family Prayer
- Praying despite lack of cooperation
- Finding a way to pray even when it's difficult
Key Quotes
“The whole neighborhood knew about our family prayer time.” — David Wilkerson
“Something clearly happened in those times of prayer, with the Spirit moving amid our family and touching our souls.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Start a regular family prayer time to bring your family closer together and deepen your spiritual relationship.
- Find a way to pray with your family even if others are not cooperative or willing.
- Remember that family prayer is a powerful way to pray and can bring spiritual growth and unity to your family.