Looking Back: Our Praying Family
Month 8: Talking with God — The Praying Family · Family Worship
Today's Scripture
Read together: Psalm 116:1-2 & 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
1 I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice— my appeal for mercy. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. — Psalm 116:1-2
16 Rejoice at all times. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Memory Verse
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”— Philippians 4:6 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Ezekiel 8–11
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 239 of 365 — God's glory and His faithful remnant.)The Heart of It
This whole month we have been learning one beautiful truth. God loves to talk with His children. We watched Jesus teach us to pray "Our Father." We sang with David. We listened with little Samuel. And we learned to cast our cares on the One who carries us. Today we pause and look back. The psalmist shows us exactly how. "I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live" (). Notice why he loves God. It's because God listened. Remembering answered prayer turns into deeper love. It also turns into a settled habit of coming back again and again.
Paul says it short and sweet. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (). A praying family isn't one that prays perfectly. It's one that keeps talking to its Father. It happens in the kitchen and the car and at bedtime, in big trouble and small joys. So tonight, look back together. Where has God heard you this month? Where did His peace come when you handed Him your worry? We count His "yeses." We even count His loving "not yets." That builds a family that trusts Him for tomorrow.
Around the Table
God hears every prayer, even the tiny ones! That's why we keep talking to Him.
Let's do it: Name one thing you prayed for, then say, "Thank You, God, for listening!"
The psalmist loved God because God heard him. Remembering answered prayers makes our love grow.
Let's talk: What's one prayer God has answered for our family this month?
"Pray without ceasing" doesn't mean fancy words. It means a heart always turned toward your Father.
Let's go deeper: What's one prayer habit you want to keep going long after this month ends?
💬 Conversation Starter
If we made a family "thank-You list" of things God did this month, what's the very first thing you'd write down?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
How do we know God really hears? We have His promise: "if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (). We also have the testimony of His people across history and in our own home. They can point to prayers He has answered. When someone doubts, we can give a reason with gentleness (). A remembered, written record of answered prayer is real evidence, not just a feeling.
For Dad · Go Deeper
A family that never remembers will slowly stop believing. Israel's great spiritual danger was always forgetfulness. God repeatedly told them to set up stones, keep feasts, and "tell your children." He did this because gratitude leaks out of busy hearts. Looking back is a discipline, not a mood. Consider starting a simple family prayer journal. Use a cheap notebook. Jot requests on one page and answers on the facing one. Months from now, your kids will flip through it and see, in their own handwriting, that their Father was listening all along. That's a faith-anchor money can't buy. Lead the remembering, Dad. Your kids will believe what they see you treasure.
Draws on: Paul Tripp, Parenting; Tony Evans, Kingdom Family Devotional.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You for hearing us. Thank You for the prayers You answered and the cares You carried. We love You because You listen. Help us keep talking to You every day. In Jesus' name, amen."
God has heard us. So we will keep calling on Him as long as we live.