It is recommended that every family devotion starts and ends with a prayer to consecrate the time together to God. There is no right or wrong approach, and while every family or every week’s situation may be different, here are some sample opening and closing prayers to get you started.
Father in heaven, we thank You for watching over us as a family the past week. You have dealt with us gently and You have shown Your favour and grace to us in different ways in our going out and our coming in. You have kept us in your arms of love and continued to nurture us in Your ways. Here we are again as a family, coming before Your throne of grace and to experience the smile on Your face again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord Jesus, You have given us so much – life, friends and family. Help us to share Your love with others through the giving of ourselves, our gifts and time. May others catch a glimpse of Your goodness and grace through us. Teach us as a family to reflect You more in our words and deeds. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Provide for all our needs and keep us from all evil. We ask these in Your name and for Your glory. Amen.
Prayer Based on Scriptures
The Lord is our family’s shepherd, we lack nothing. He makes us lie down in green pastures, He leads us beside quiet waters, He refreshes our soul. He guides us along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though we walk through the darkest valley, we will fear no evil, for You are with us; Your rod and your staff, they comfort us. You prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. You anoint our heads with oil; our cup overflows. Surely Your goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell in Your house forever.