p. 18 | Family Prayer by Presbyterian Banner

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 8, 1885

Family Prayer.

By Presbyterian Banner

It is said that in many professedly Christian households, in some localities, the family is no longer gathered morning and evening to worship God. We do not know how this is, but we do know that if it is true, a most important means of grace is neglected. It has been well said that "the family altar, with its morning and evening sacrifice of praise and prayer, where the spirit of the world through the day does not make it a mere formality, is the very heart and center of the Christian home. This united recognition of dependence on God, this devout acknowledgment of his fatherly care, and daily seeking his guidance, consecrates the dwelling of the Christian as a temple of Jehovah—makes it a 'Bethel'—a house of God." Over such homes the promises of God rest in clouds of blessings. Honoring God, God honors them, and "creates upon their dwelling-place a cloud and a smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night, and over all the glory is a defense." A house in which God is not worshiped is not a safe place for a Christian family.