The family that prays together
It could be true that the family that prays together stays together. Families have many traditions with regard to prayers and religious observances. But is God present when a home is devoid of love? How do you bring God closer to your home as a family? And how important is it to pray as a family James Chimpweya seeks answers.
Former politician Eddah Chitalo in an interview with Every Woman said she always finds comfort and ease in the Word of God.
“Church life helps you to do things as a family. I am not saying I have never quarrelled with my husband but when the people are prayerful it becomes easier to sort things out in a family. When it comes to raising children, I tried to raise them in the best Christian way possible,” she said.
It is undoubtedly important that praying is the foundation of a spiritual life. While some people may take going to church or places of worship once a week as the end of their spiritual nurturing, spiritual leaders emphasise the need to pray as a family.
Moderator of the Blantyre Synod, Reverend Mercy Chilapula, says when the woman in the family is spiritually active; the children also become spiritually active and strong.
“The woman is the heart and backbone of the family and as such it has to be functional. If the mother is more spiritual, the whole family is also active in spirituality issues because the mother encourages children at a tender age to attend Sunday school,” said Chilapula.
“A family that creates a prayer house in its home ensures that members of the family pray together and as such the family has a strong spiritual life. This eventually creates a spiritual generation,” she said.
Saint Michael and All Angels CCAP Church moderator Reverend Andrew Kamponda, concurred with Rev Chilapula saying it was important for the family to pray together because it helps strengthen the relationship between parents and children.
“By praying together we bridge the gap between the children and the parents. When we pray together we strengthen our spiritual relationship,” said Kamponda.
He also said such relationships are later beneficial even when the children grow because they have had a good foundation for their lives.
In the Catholic Church such doctrines are also taught to families.
According to section 2685 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 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. For young children in particular, daily family prayer is the first witness of the Church’s living memory as awakened patiently by the Holy Spirit.”
In her word Mother Theresa also emphasises the need for families to pray together.
“Be sure to teach the families to pray all together – father, mother and children. For the family that prays together stays together, and if they stay together they will love one another as Jesus loves each one of them…I will be praying that the Lord will bring peace into the world through the love of fathers for their families…”
