1. Marriage — God’s provision
"Jesus said, ‘From the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh." Mark 10:6-8 (ESV)
Thank You Lord, for establishing faithful lifelong marriage of one man and one woman as the foundation for family life. We ask, even though this ideal is increasingly rejected, devalued, and altered through unbiblical thinking and desires, that more couples will make this commitment. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
2. Across the generations
"If a widow has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God…But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith." 1 Timothy 5:4,8 (NLT)
Gracious Lord, please provide the necessary ways and means for extended families to give the best care possible to aging parents and other dependent relatives who are vulnerable. We also ask for Your intervention where individuals are disregarded, neglected or badly treated by family members; to bring safety, restoration and comfort into their lives. For Christ’s sake. Amen.
3. Parenting alone
"So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in my hands. I always do what is right..." Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Father, please uphold the UK’s 1.8 million single-parent families, many of whom struggle to make ends meet, juggle work and homelife and cope with the growing challenges that confront their children. May they be encouraged through supportive family, friends and others in the community – including local church families where they can flourish and grow in their faith in Jesus. In Your mercy. Amen.
4. Welcoming others
"Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home." Psalm 68:5-6 (ESV)
God of compassion, we pray for households that include others; through fostering, hosting refugee families, taking in lodgers and providing a place for those who are temporarily homeless or in need of other support. Please grant harmony and peace especially in situations where people exhibit challenging behaviour and struggle with complex mental health and other issues. For Christ’s sake. Amen.
5. Difficulties and Challenges
"The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you." Psalm 9:9-10 (NLT)
Lord our deliverer, please strengthen and protect families experiencing relationship breakdown, deprivation, poverty, and ill health. We pray they will be supported through these crises, helped to find ongoing stability and safety and that many will contact Christian charities and churches that can care for them spiritually as well as seeking to meet other needs. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
6. Care and Protection
"Clothe yourselves with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you… Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony." Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Prince of peace, we intercede for families where conflict, bad behaviour or other issues are putting pressure on parents, children, siblings and other relationships. Where possible, please help both sides to come to a place of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation, and if there are safeguarding and other serious problems grant a way of escape and restoration for those affected. In Your mercy. Amen.
7. Family and Society
"You are the salt of the earth… the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)
Father in heaven, thank You that stable, loving families are so often such a force for good within the local community and can richly benefit the whole of society. We pray that governments will do all they can to strengthen family life, preventing poverty and encouraging marriage. And please equip and bless those who adopt and foster children who otherwise would have no real home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
May His favour be upon you and a thousand generations and your family and your children, and their children, and their children.
May His presence go before you and behind you, and beside you, all around you, and within you.
He is with you, He is with you. In the morning, in the evening, in your coming, and your going, in your weeping, and rejoicing He is for you, He is for you. Amen.