Praying with the Family
“Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share a meal at that person's side”. (Rev 3:20)
Show the picture to the family. Has anyone in the family, seen this picture before? What do you notice about it?
In this scripture verse from the book of Revelations, William Holman Hunt depicts the figure of Jesus in his painting “The Light of the World” preparing to knock on an “overgrown and long unopened door”—the door of our own heart and our mind.
The door has no handle on the outside and therefore can be only opened from within, illustrating that we are free to keep the door of our heart locked, leaving the Divine Guest on the doorstep, or, if we choose, free to let him enter into our life.
Jesus approaches the door gently; and does not want to impose himself against our will. Thus his knocking will be a gentle tap and the invitation he makes, should we choose to listen, is reminiscent of the scripture verse and reminds us of God’s persistent love for us.
You have opened the door to us, (XX and YY) and invited us to pray with your family – to allow the “Light of the World” into your home. We in turn, at the start of our prayer session, would like to invite you all to pray for your particular petitions.
Family Prayers
So as we prepare ourselves to pray, let us take a few moments of silence to be with Jesus and think about what we would like to say to Jesus.
After a short period of silence, say:
Would you like to say what you are thankful for?
Would you like to say a prayer for your needs and concerns?
Would you like to pray for anyone who is sick or who needs our prayers?
Scripture Reading (Luke 2:41-52)
Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalemfor the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual.
When the days of the feast were over and they set off home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was somewhere in the party, and it was only after a day's journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
It happened that, three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.
They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, 'My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.' He replied, 'Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?' But they did not understand what he meant.
He went down with them then and came toNazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with people.
Reflection
Let us share a few moments of silence as we think about the scripture reading.
Then ask the family, what stands out to you, in this scripture reading?
In this reading we see that Jesus was already well aware of His identity and Mission in life. He was comfortable in His Father's House, the temple, and His teaching was already compelling, even to the teachers in the temple, at twelve years old.
However, it is the last line which tells us something of extraordinary implication for those of us who live out the vocation of Christian marriage and family. Jesus left the temple and went home to Nazareth, where he lived for the next 20 years under the authority of Mary and Joseph. This model of the Holy Family and the holy way of life they lived is a model for the Christian family, a path to holiness, and the building bricks of His Church.
Prayer in Family Life (For parents to reflect on afterwards)
Does the family pray together regularly? Could we start? How? What time of day? Prayer before Meals perhaps? Or at bed-time?
What tips are we picking up here this evening? What suits our family best?
The importance of being a good example to children concerning prayer. If they see parents praying, children will see the importance of making time to pray.
Now pray a Decade of the Rosary: 5th Joyful Mystery – The finding of Jesus in the Temple
Everyone to take a turn in saying a Hail Mary, to dedicate the decade for the prayers of the family.
Prayer for Fathers
God our Father, We give you thanks and praise for fathers young and old. May they find time and perseverance to balance work, family and faith in their lives.
We pray for fathers around the world whose children are lost or suffering; May they know that God the Father is with them and their family in their sorrow.
We pray for men who are not our father e.g. Father Pat and our Head Teacher at School but still mentor and guide us with fatherly love and advice. Amen
Prayer for Mothers
All-loving God, we give you thanks and praise for mothers young and old. May they be blessed with patience and tenderness to care for their families and themselves.
We pray for the mother of this family who nurtures and cares for us; May she continue to guide us in strong and gentle ways.
We remember mothers who are separated from their children because of war, poverty, or conflict; May they feel the loving embrace of our God who wipes every tear away.
We pray for women who are not our mother e.g. our teachers in school and catechists but still love and shape us with motherly care and compassion. Amen.
Parents’ prayer for their children
Mother
O God the Father of us all, who has given me these my children, and committed them to my charge to bring them up for You, and to prepare them for life in this world and eternal life. Teach me both what to give and what to withhold; when to correct and when to encourage; make me to be gentle, yet firm; considerate and watchful; and deliver me equally from the weakness of indulgence, and the excess of severity; and grant that, both by word and example, I may be careful to lead my children in the ways of wisdom and true piety, so that at last I may, with them, be admitted to the unspeakable joys of our true home in heaven, in the company of the blessed Angels and Saints. Amen.
Father
O Heavenly Father, I commend my children to Your care. Be their God and Father; and mercifully supply whatever is lacking in me through frailty or negligence. Pour Your grace into their hearts, and strengthen and multiply in them the gifts of Your Holy Spirit, that they may daily grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; and so, faithfully serving You here, may come to rejoice in Your presence hereafter. Amen.
Children
Dear God, help me to be good and kind like Jesus and to follow his ways. Thank you God for my Mum and Dad and all my family and friends. May I always seek to do your will under the guidance of my Mum and Dad. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
God our Father, we thank you for this time together tonight. We dedicate our family and our home to you and ask for the protection and presence of your Holy Spirit with us at all times, and may all visitors to our home, find the light and love of Jesus in our family. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sprinkle the room with Holy Water
Leader: Let us praise the Lord All: Thanks be to God