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Japanese A short prayer for the family: “Lord, we put our family in your care. Keep each of us safe today, at home and wherever we go. Give us patience with one another and quick forgiveness. Provide what we need, heal the sick among us, and bring back anyone who has wandered from you. Amen.”
A family that wants to pray together can use the blessing in the Book of Numbers. God gave it to Moses for Aaron and his sons to speak over the people of Israel (Numbers 6:22–27), and it is short enough for children to learn:
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24–26
The Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer of 1928 turns the same blessing into a bedtime prayer for the whole household by saying “us” in place of “thee”:
The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace, this night and evermore. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), Family Prayer, A Shorter Form, Evening, p. 593
Prayers to say together at meals, morning and bedtime
Grace before and after meals
The 1928 Book of Common Prayer gives two short graces. Either can be said before a meal.
Bless, O Father, thy gifts to our use and us to thy service; for Christ’s sake. Amen.
Give us grateful hearts, our Father, for all thy mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), Family Prayer, Grace before Meat, p. 600
The traditional Catholic grace is printed in the 1888 Manual of Prayers, prepared by order of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore, together with a grace for after the meal.
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We give Thee thanks, O Almighty God, for all Thy mercies. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity (1888), Grace before and after Meals, p. 58
In the morning
O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings, being ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), Family Prayer, A Shorter Form, Morning, p. 592
At bedtime
This one-sentence prayer comes before the bedtime blessing quoted above.
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), Family Prayer, A Shorter Form, Evening, p. 593
Traditional prayers for the family
For peace and love in the home
This prayer asks God to take bitterness and pride out of Christian homes, to keep husbands and wives close, and to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to the fathers,” words taken from Malachi 4:6. Its opening line echoes Psalm 68:6, “God setteth the solitary in families.”
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who settest the solitary in families; We commend to thy continual care the homes in which thy people dwell. Put far from them, we beseech thee, every root of bitterness, the desire of vain-glory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy wedlock, have been made one flesh; turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to the fathers; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we be evermore kindly affectioned with brotherly love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), Family Prayer, “For a Blessing on the Families of the Land,” p. 598
For everyone in the family
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come; knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), Family Prayer, “For Those We Love,” p. 597
For relatives who live far away
O God, whose fatherly care reacheth to the uttermost parts of the earth; We humbly beseech thee graciously to behold and bless those whom we love, now absent from us. Defend them from all dangers of soul and body; and grant that both they and we, drawing nearer to thee, may be bound together by thy love in the communion of thy Holy Spirit, and in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), Family Prayer, “For the Absent,” pp. 596–597
For parents
Almighty God, heavenly Father, who hast blessed us with the joy and care of children; Give us light and strength so to train them, that they may love whatsoever things are true and pure and lovely and of good report, following the example of their Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), Family Prayer, “For the Children,” p. 596
Short prayers for family needs
Each of these can be said alone or aloud with the family. Put in a name where it helps.
For protection
Lord, we cannot watch over each other every hour. Keep us safe at home, at school, at work and on the road. Guard us from accidents, from illness and from anyone who means us harm. “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (Psalm 121:8). Keep that promise for every one of us. Amen.
For peace in the home
Prince of Peace, there is tension in this house, and we are short with one another. Calm our tempers and slow our tongues. Make us “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19), and let “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,” keep our “hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Amen.
After a quarrel
Father, we hurt each other today, and we both said things we regret. Give me the humility to apologize first and the grace to accept an apology without holding on to the wrong. Teach us to be “kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Do not let the sun go down on our anger (Ephesians 4:26). Amen.
If anyone at home is violent, threatening you or talking about suicide, get help as well as praying: in the US, call 911 in an emergency, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (or text START to 88788), or call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, call Samaritans on 116 123. There are also more Christian and crisis lines.
When someone in the family is ill
Lord, [name] is sick, and the whole family feels it. Ease the pain, guide the doctors and nurses, and bring [name] back to health if it is your will. Give those of us who are caring for [name] patience and enough rest. Amen.
When a family member is struggling
God, [name] is carrying something heavy: grief, a lost job, a failing marriage or a fear we do not understand. Hold [name] up where we cannot. Your word says, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee” (Isaiah 41:10). Let [name] feel that strength today, and show us how to help. Amen.
For a child who has left the faith
Lord, our child grew up praying with us and now wants nothing to do with you. We cannot argue our child back. Keep calling, and keep the door of this house open. When our child turns toward home, let us be like the father who saw his son “yet a great way off” and “ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). Amen.
Parents whose son is caught up in drink, drugs, crime or despair can also use the prayers for a troubled son.
When money is short
Father, the bills are more than we can pay, and we are worried. Give us this day our daily bread. Show us where to cut back, open the door to work, and keep money worries from turning us against each other. “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Amen.
For wisdom as parents
God, we do not always know what our children need from us. Give us wisdom to know when to be firm and when to be gentle, and to agree with each other before we speak to them. You promised, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). We are asking. Amen.
For faith in the home
Lord, make this a house where your word is read and your name is spoken with love. Help us talk about you at the table, on the road and at bedtime, as you told Israel to do (Deuteronomy 6:7). Strengthen anyone among us whose faith is weak. “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). Amen.
In thanks for our family
Father, thank you for each person you have put in this family, for the meals we share, the jokes only we understand and the ones who stayed with us through hard years. Keep us from taking one another for granted. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Amen.
For a family that serves others
Lord, do not let our love stop at our own front door. Show us the neighbor who is lonely, the family that is struggling and the stranger who needs a meal. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Amen.
How do families pray together?
The Bible describes prayer and teaching inside the household. Moses told Israel to teach God’s words to their children and to “talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). In Acts 10, the Roman centurion Cornelius is described as “a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway” (Acts 10:2).
The 1928 Book of Common Prayer sets out a simple order for family prayer in the morning and “a little before bedtime.” After a short reading from Scripture, the head of the household, “or some other member of the family,” leads, and everyone says the Lord’s Prayer together. One of the book’s prayers follows, then any prayers of the family’s own, and the morning form ends with a verse adapted from 2 Corinthians 13:14: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.” The evening form ends with the Numbers blessing. Either form takes only a few minutes.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “The Christian family is the first place of education in prayer. Based on the sacrament of marriage, the family is the ‘domestic church’ where God’s children learn to pray ‘as the Church’ and to persevere in prayer” (paragraph 2685). It adds that for young children, “daily family prayer is the first witness of the Church’s living memory.”
Prayer for Our Family’s Unity and Love
This prayer is a heartfelt plea for God to knit the hearts of your family members together in love and unity. It asks for grace to overcome differences, to support one another, and to create a home where love is the guiding principle.
Heavenly Father, Author of love and family,
We come before You today to ask for a deep and abiding unity within our family. Please pour out Your Spirit of love upon each of us, binding our hearts together with cords that cannot be easily broken. Help us to love one another as Christ has loved us – patiently, kindly, and unconditionally.
Remove any spirit of division, selfishness, or misunderstanding from our midst. Teach us to bear with one another’s weaknesses, to forgive freely, and to communicate with grace and respect. May our home be a place where every member feels valued, understood, and deeply loved.
Help us to support each other’s dreams, share in each other’s joys, and carry each other’s burdens. Let our love for one another be a reflection of Your great love for us, drawing us closer to You and to each other day by day.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Praying for family unity and love invites God to be the center of your relationships, fostering an environment of mutual support and care. The Bible emphasizes this, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8).
Prayer for God’s Divine Protection Over Our Family
This prayer is a request for God’s divine shield of protection to surround your family. It’s about entrusting each member—whether at home, school, work, or traveling—into God’s watchful and loving care, guarding them from physical and spiritual harm.
Almighty God, our Protector and Shield,
We humbly come before You this day to ask for Your divine protection over our precious family. Cover each member with Your mighty hand and keep us safe from all harm, danger, and evil that may try to approach us.
Guard our coming and our going. Watch over our children as they play and learn, protect those who travel, and keep our home as a sanctuary of safety and peace under Your care. Shield us from accidents, from sickness, and from any influence that would seek to draw us away from You.
Send Your holy angels to encamp around us, to watch over us, and to defend us. May we rest in the assurance that we are secure in Your unfailing protection, and may our hearts be free from fear, trusting in Your constant presence.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Committing your family’s safety to God each day is an act of faith that brings immense peace. We trust in His power to guard those we love. The Psalmist declared, “The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8).
Prayer for Wisdom and Guidance for Family Leaders
This prayer asks God to grant wisdom and clear guidance to those who lead the family, typically parents or guardians. It’s a plea for discernment in making decisions, setting a godly example, and steering the family in the right direction according to God’s will.
Lord God, Fountain of all wisdom,
We lift up to You today the leaders within our family. We ask You to pour out Your Spirit of wisdom and guidance upon them, equipping them for the important role You have entrusted to them. Grant them clear understanding, sound judgment, and divine insight as they make decisions for our family’s well-being.
Help them to lead with love, patience, and a servant’s heart, always seeking Your will above their own. May they set a godly example in their words and actions, teaching and nurturing our family in Your ways. Give them discernment to navigate challenges and the courage to stand firm on Your truth.
May their leadership bring stability, peace, and spiritual growth to our home. Help them to create an environment where every family member can thrive and grow closer to You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Seeking God’s wisdom for family leaders is vital for a healthy and well-ordered home. God promises to give wisdom generously. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5).
Prayer for the Health and Safety of Each Family Member
This prayer is a heartfelt request for God’s blessing of good health and continued safety upon every member of your family. It’s about asking for protection from illness and harm, and for strength and vitality to live life fully.
Gracious Father, our Healer and Protector,
We come before You today to pray for the health and safety of each beloved member of our family. We ask You to watch over our bodies, minds, and spirits, keeping us strong and whole. Protect us from sickness, disease, and any form of physical harm or accident.
Grant us vitality and energy to fulfill our daily responsibilities and to enjoy the gift of life You have given us. For any among us who may be struggling with illness or weakness, we ask for Your healing touch to bring restoration and strength.
Surround us with Your safeguarding presence wherever we go – at home, at school, at work, or at play. May we make wise choices that promote our well-being, and may we always be aware of Your loving care that keeps us safe.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Praying for the health and safety of our family is a natural expression of love, entrusting their well-being to God’s powerful care. The Apostle John wrote, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” (3 John 1:2).
Prayer for Growing Stronger in Faith as a Family
This prayer is a petition for God to deepen the faith of each family member and to strengthen your collective journey with Him. It’s about fostering a home where God is honored, His Word is cherished, and everyone grows in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Lord God, Author and Perfecter of our faith,
We earnestly pray for our family to grow stronger in faith each day. Cultivate within each of our hearts a deeper love for You and a greater desire to know Your Word and Your ways. Help us to trust You more completely, to obey Your commands, and to experience Your presence in our lives more profoundly.
May our home be a place where faith is nurtured through prayer, through reading Scripture together, and through conversations that build each other up. Strengthen our resolve to live out our faith boldly in the world, reflecting Your love and truth to those around us.
For any member who is struggling with doubt or whose faith is weak, we ask for Your gentle encouragement and a fresh revelation of Your goodness. May we, as a family, stand firm in You, rooted and built up in Christ.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A family that grows together in faith builds a strong spiritual foundation that can withstand life’s storms. This shared spiritual journey is invaluable. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17), highlighting the importance of engaging with God’s Word.
Prayer for Lasting Peace and Harmony in Our Home
This prayer asks God to fill your home with His lasting peace and to foster harmony among all family members. It’s a desire for your household to be a sanctuary of calm, free from strife and contention, where understanding and mutual respect flourish.
Prince of Peace,
We invite Your presence into our home today, asking You to fill every room and every heart with Your lasting peace and sweet harmony. Remove any tension, discord, or spirit of anger that may try to disrupt the tranquility You desire for us.
Help us to live together in understanding, patience, and kindness. Teach us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. May we resolve conflicts with grace and seek reconciliation swiftly. Let our words and actions towards one another build up rather than tear down.
May our home be a haven of rest, a place where each member feels safe, accepted, and at peace. Let Your Spirit reign in our household, guiding our interactions and fostering an atmosphere of love and serenity.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Praying for peace and harmony in the home invites God to create an atmosphere where love can thrive and relationships can flourish. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).
Prayer for God’s Gracious Provision for Our Family’s Needs
This prayer is a request for God’s gracious provision to meet all the needs of your family. It’s an expression of trust in His faithfulness to supply everything required for daily life—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—according to His riches.
Heavenly Father, our generous Provider,
We come to You today with grateful hearts, acknowledging You as the source of every good thing. We lift up our family’s needs to You, trusting in Your abundant grace and unfailing provision. Please supply all that we require according to Your riches in glory.
Provide for our physical needs – for food, shelter, clothing, and health. Provide for our financial needs, granting wisdom in our work and stewardship. Provide for our emotional and spiritual needs, filling us with Your peace, joy, and strength.
Help us to be content with what You give us and to be good stewards of Your blessings. Teach us to depend on You daily, knowing that You care for us even more than the birds of the air or the lilies of the field. May we always recognize Your hand in our provision and give You thanks.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Trusting God for provision builds faith and gratitude within the family, reminding everyone that He is our ultimate source. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).
Prayer for Forgiveness and Quick Reconciliation Within Our Family
This prayer asks God to cultivate a spirit of forgiveness and quick reconciliation within your family. It’s about seeking His help to overlook offenses, to forgive as Christ forgave us, and to restore broken relationships with grace and love.
Merciful Father, God of all grace,
We pray today for a spirit of forgiveness and quick reconciliation to dwell within our family. We know that misunderstandings and hurts can occur, even among those who love each other. Help us, Lord, to be quick to forgive and quick to seek forgiveness when we have wronged another.
Guard our hearts from bitterness, resentment, and holding grudges. Teach us to extend the same grace to our family members that You so generously extend to us. Help us to communicate openly and honestly, resolving conflicts in a way that honors You and preserves our relationships.
May our family be a place where healing flows freely, where broken fences are mended, and where love always triumphs over offense. Strengthen our bonds through the power of forgiveness and mutual understanding.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A family that practices forgiveness and seeks reconciliation reflects the heart of God and builds strong, resilient relationships. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32).
Prayer for Our Children to Follow God’s Path
This prayer is a dedicated plea for God to guide your children (or the young ones in your family) onto His path and to keep them walking in His ways. It’s about asking for their hearts to be inclined towards God, for wisdom in their choices, and for protection from harmful influences.
Loving Shepherd, Guardian of our children,
We bring our precious children before You today, asking You to draw their hearts close to Yours from a young age. We pray that You would instill in them a love for You and Your Word, and a desire to follow Your path all the days of their lives.
Guide their steps, Lord. Give them wisdom to make right choices and discernment to recognize and resist temptation. Surround them with godly influences and protect them from anything that would lead them astray. May they grow in knowledge and in favor with both God and people.
We dedicate their lives to You, praying that they would discover Your unique purpose for them and walk in it with joy and faithfulness. May they always know how deeply they are loved by You and by their family.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Praying for your children to follow God’s path is one of the most important spiritual investments a family can make. “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6). This highlights the lasting impact of early spiritual guidance.
Prayer for Strength for Family Members Facing Difficult Times
This prayer asks for God’s sustaining strength for any family member who is currently facing trials, hardships, or a difficult season. It’s a request for divine comfort, resilience, and the assurance of God’s presence to help them persevere.
God of all comfort and strength,
We lift up to You today any member of our family who is walking through a difficult time, facing trials, or carrying a heavy burden. Lord, You see their struggles, and You know their needs even before we ask. We pray that You would pour out Your supernatural strength upon them.
Be their refuge and their fortress in this time of trouble. Grant them courage to face each day, wisdom to navigate their challenges, and an unwavering hope in Your unfailing love. Remind them that they are not alone, for You are with them, upholding them with Your righteous right hand.
May they feel Your peace that surpasses understanding, and may this trial draw them closer to You, revealing Your faithfulness and power in a new way. Sustain them, Lord, until they come through to a place of rest and victory.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
When family members face trials, prayer for God’s strength is a powerful way to support them, reminding them they are not alone in their struggles. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).
Prayer of Deep Gratitude for Our Family Blessing
This prayer is an expression of deep thankfulness to God for the precious gift of your family. It’s about recognizing and appreciating the unique individuals God has placed in your life and the blessing that your family unit represents.
Gracious and Loving Father,
We come before You today with hearts overflowing with gratitude for the incredible blessing of our family. Thank You for each member, for the unique personalities, gifts, and love that each one brings. Thank You for the bond we share, for the memories we’ve created, and for the privilege of belonging to one another.
We thank You for the laughter, the support, the comfort, and even the challenges that help us grow closer together and closer to You. Help us never to take this precious gift for granted but to cherish and nurture our family relationships every day.
All that we are and all that we have comes from You. We acknowledge You as the giver of this wonderful family, and we offer You our deepest thanks. May our gratitude be expressed in our love and care for one another.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Expressing gratitude for your family acknowledges God as the giver of this wonderful gift and fosters a positive and appreciative spirit within the home. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Prayer for Our Family to Be a Blessing and Light to Others
This prayer asks God to use your family as a collective source of blessing and a shining light to your wider community and all those you interact with. It’s about your family reflecting God’s love, grace, and hospitality to the world around you.
Lord, Light of the World,
We pray today not only for our own family but also that we might be a blessing and a light to others. Use our family, Lord, to reflect Your love, Your grace, and Your truth to our neighbors, friends, and all those whose lives we touch.
Open our eyes to the needs around us and give us compassionate hearts willing to serve. May our home be a place of welcome and hospitality. May our words and actions bring encouragement, hope, and comfort to those who are struggling or in darkness.
Help us, as a family, to live in such a way that others see our good deeds and are drawn to glorify You, our Father in heaven. May our collective life shine brightly, pointing people to Your goodness and inviting them into Your kingdom.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Praying for your family to be a blessing turns your focus outward, allowing God to use your collective life to impact others for His glory. Jesus taught, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).
Your turn to pray
Asked to pray out loud? Choose the occasion and how much time you have, then read one of these three.
Prefer to use your own words? Lesson 1 of Praying Out Loud shows how, free.
Father, thank you for this food and for the people around this table. Bless the one who cooked it and the ones who will wash up. Help us listen to each other tonight. “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith” (Proverbs 15:17). Amen.
God of every good gift, thank you for this feast and for bringing us together. Thank you for the reason we are celebrating. Bless those who could not be here, and those who have no table today. “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136:1). Amen.
Father, thank you for each person you have put in this family, for the meals we share, the jokes only we understand and the ones who stayed with us through hard years. Keep us from taking one another for granted. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Amen.
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