FamilyWorship

FamilyWorship

If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of prayer,

it is now. Infidelity and skepticism prevail. Iniquity abounds. Corruption

flows in the vital currents of the soul, and rebellion against God breaks out

in the life. Enslaved by sin, the moral powers are under the tyranny of Satan.

The soul is made the sport of his temptations; and unless some mighty arm

is stretched out to rescue him, man goes where the arch-rebel leads the way.

And yet, in this time of fearful peril, some who profess to be Christians

have no family worship. They do not honor God in the home; they do not

teach their children to love and fear Him. Many have separated themselves

so far from Him that they feel under condemnation in approaching Him.

They cannot “come boldly unto the throne of grace,” “lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting.” Hebrews 4:16; 1 Timothy 2:8. They have

not a living connection with God. Theirs is a form of godliness without the

power.

The idea that prayer is not essential is one of Satan’s most successful

devices to ruin souls. Prayer is communion with God, the Fountain of

wisdom, the Source of strength, and peace, and happiness. Jesus prayed

to the Father “with strong crying and tears.” Paul exhorts believers to

“pray without ceasing,” in everything, by prayer and supplication, with

thanksgiving, making known their requests to God. “Pray one for another,”

James says. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Hebrews 5:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:16.

By sincere, earnest prayer parents should make a

42

hedge about their children. They should pray with full faith that God will

abide with them and that holy angels will guard them and their children from

Satan’s cruel power.

In every family there should be a fixed time for morning and evening

worship. How appropriate it is for parents to gather their children about

them before the fast is broken, to thank the heavenly Father for His

protection during the night, and to ask Him for His help and guidance

and watchcare during the day! How fitting, also, when evening comes, for

parents and children to gather once more before Him and thank Him for the

blessings of the day that is past!

The father, or, in his absence, the mother, should conduct the worship,

selecting a portion of Scripture that is interesting and easily understood.

The service should be short. When a long chapter is read and a long prayer

offered, the service is made wearisome, and at its close a sense of relief is

felt. God is dishonored when the hour of worship is made dry and irksome,

when it is so tedious, so lacking in interest, that the children dread it.

Fathers and mothers, make the hour of worship intensely interesting.

There is no reason why this hour should not be the most pleasant and

enjoyable of the day. A little thought given to preparation for it will enable

you to make it full of interest and profit. From time to time let the service be

varied. Questions may be asked on the portion of Scripture read, and a few

earnest, timely remarks may be made. A song of praise may be sung. The

prayer offered should be short and pointed. In simple, earnest words let the

one who leads in prayer praise God for His goodness and ask Him for help.

As circumstances permit, let the children join in the reading and the prayer.

43

Eternity alone will reveal the good with which such seasons of worship

are fraught.

The life of Abraham, the friend of God, was a life of prayer. Wherever he

pitched his tent, close beside it was built an altar, upon which were offered

the morning and the evening sacrifice. When his tent was removed, the altar

remained. And the roving Canaanite, as he came to that altar, knew who had

been there. When he had pitched his tent he repaired the altar and worshiped

the living God.

So the homes of Christians should be lights in the world. From them,

morning and evening, prayer should ascend to God as sweet incense. And

as the morning dew, His mercies and blessings will descend upon the

suppliants.

Fathers and mothers, each morning and evening gather your children

around you, and in humble supplication lift the heart to God for help. Your

dear ones are exposed to temptation. Daily annoyances beset the path of

young and old. Those who would live patient, loving, cheerful lives must

pray. Only by receiving constant help from God can we gain the victory

over self.

Each morning consecrate yourselves and your children to God for that

day. Make no calculation for months or years; these are not yours. One brief

day is given you. As if it were your last on earth, work during its hours for

the Master. Lay all your plans before God, to be carried out or given up, as

His providence shall indicate. Accept His plans instead of your own, even

though their acceptance requires the abandonment of cherished projects.

Thus the life will be molded more and more after the divine example; and

the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts

and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7.

REFERENCE

Testimonies for the Church

Volume Seven

Ellen G. White

1902