Sample Prayer
Lord of all Love, You are the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Your Son Jesus is our only hope for peace, now and forever. The angels announced His birth with the chorus, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests” (Luke 2:14). Thank you that the death and resurrection of Jesus provide a way for us to live at peace with God and others. Thank you for the promise of Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.”
Please show me if there is any sin (selfishness, jealousy, envy or uncontrolled anger) that contributes to a lack of peace in our home. I don’t want my sinful nature to influence my actions. Rather, I want the Holy Spirit to direct the way I think and respond to others. I pray that the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in my life, especially peace and love, for “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). When someone sins, please give me a loving, Spirit-filled attitude so the unity in our home is maintained.
Lord, I pray that my children will seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14)! I ask that Your love in ________ and ________ will help them to be polite and not rude, to put others first instead of being self-seeking, to be tolerant instead of easily angered, and to be quick to forgive instead of keeping a record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). May my children learn early in life that it is to their honour to avoid conflict and that it is not wise to be quick to quarrel (Proverbs 20:3). Please enable them to be sympathetic, loving, humble and compassionate. I ask that You will fill them with Your love so they have the grace to refuse to repay evil with evil and insult with insult, but will repay unkindness with blessing (1 Peter 3:8-9).
Paul prayed for the church: “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6). My prayer is that the presence of Your Holy Spirit will bring unity to our family, so that the song in our home will be one of harmony, drawing others in our neighbourhood to You because of the sweet sound of a family living together in peace and love. Amen.
Scripture-guided prayer
Read and pray through one or more of the selected Scriptures under each heading. Focus on listening to God and allowing His Spirit to direct you as you pray.
Character Focus
Begin by thanking God for being a God of love and peace.
Isaiah 48:17-18 | Matthew 5:9 | John 14:23-27 | John 17:20-23 | Colossians 1:19-20
Heart Search
Acknowledge where you lack peace in your relationships.
Psalm 34:11-14 | Proverbs 6:16-19 | Romans 12:16-18 | 1 Corinthians 13:5 | Hebrews 12:14-15
Gratitude
Thank God for ways you have seen harmony in your family.
Family Requests
Ask God to help you and your children live at peace with each other.
Romans 14:19 | 2 Corinthians 13:11 | Philippians 2:1-4 | Colossians 3:15 | 1 Peter 3:8-9
Speak a Blessing over your child
- Thank you, ________, for being a peacemaker!
- I see that you are doing your best to keep the peace, ________.
- Good job talking out your problems.
- ________ is girl/boy who doesn’t say things to bother others.
- It is so peaceful at our house, I know that Jesus is pleased. This is music to His ears.
- How good and pleasant it is when brothers (and sisters) live together in unity (Psalm 133:1).
- The Bible tells us that God’s children are peacemakers. I’m glad you chose peace (Matthew 5:9).