A Family that Prays Together, Stays Together

Prayer has always been a very personal act for me and I have never really felt comfortable praying out loud, especially in front a lot of people. It wasn’t something that I remember doing very often growing up. We would most often pray over our dinner as a family, but I remember prayer being mainly something we did at church. I would occasionally say my own personal prayers, like when my mom passed away and I was seeking comfort. Maybe these personal pleadings are what influenced my feelings towards the act of prayer as a very intimate practice that I did not like others to hear. 

When I got married, my husband wanted to say prayers as a couple each night before bed. I’m not going to lie, saying a prayer out loud with him is still a bit uncomfortable for me, even after 18 years of marriage. Over time, however, it has become easier and I can look back and see how it has strengthened our relationships and guided us in the decisions we have made regarding our family. Praying regularly as a couple, a family, and an individual, is something that is highly encouraged by the leaders of my church. Prayer is one of the most important gifts we have been given as it is a way to talk with God and receive answers, comfort, and guidance from Him as our loving Father. But prayer also does more than this; it changes our heart. President of the LDS church, Thomas S. Monson, shared a piece of advice he was given when he was married to his wife. They were taught:

“I can assure you that any misunderstanding that develops during the day will vanish as you pray. You simply can’t pray together and retain any but the best feelings toward one another.”

Most married couples will tell you that marriage is hard, myself included. I have had moments of frustration, anger, and annoyance with my husband. When I do nothing to resolve these negative feelings, naturally they get worse. I have discovered that the only way to make them go away is to pray for understanding and a softened heart. Regular prayer for my husband and our relationship makes a world of difference. When I pray for him, I have an increased desire to serve him, and my love and appreciation for him increases. It allows me to view him closer to the way that God views him. 

Praying together has also allowed us to counsel with the Lord in the decisions we make for our family, and to find answers regarding the individual needs of our children. Nathan M. Lambert stated that “prayer is the means by which individuals may invite God to play an active role in their relationship.”  It gives me great comfort and assurance to know that we have God on our side, and that he provides us with answers for raising our family and strengthening our marriage. We also pray each night with our children and over every dinner together. This has helped them to know how to talk with God and rely on Him in times of need and gratitude. A few years ago, we were cooped up in the basement awaiting the outcome of a tornado warning for the area. One of my kids is especially fearful of tornadoes and you could see her struggling with this anxiety. After singing, playing games, and telling stories failed to calm her fears, my sweet daughter suggested that we say a prayer to keep us safe. After saying her short but sincere prayer, my daughter started to relax and soon after the warning was lifted, and we were able to go back upstairs. How amazing it was to witness the faith of my children, who knew that their Father in Heaven would hear and answer their prayers. This has been a blessing many times in our lives as they have struggled with school, friends, and other challenges. I personally have felt the peace and comfort of the Savior as I have come to rely on Him for relief from my burdens. The saying “families that pray together, stay together” really rings true for us. We live in a confusing time with much turmoil and temptations. Prayer has kept us safe from the literal and figurative tornadoes that face us. I am so grateful that I have learned to rely on prayer, and I hope that each of you get to experience that same peace and happiness in your life as you develop a relationship with our Father in Heaven.  

Family Bonding

Many times, my family and I will be sitting on the couch in what would normally have been a perfect opportunity to socialize and bond, but with current trends, instead of paying attention to each other, our faces are all being lit up by the glow of our individual electronic devices. Even though we are all in the same room, and even on the same couch, we are absent. This isn't an uncommon scene. In fact, almost everywhere I go I notice people locked into the images on their phones, mindlessly scrolling in apparent boredom. This new "connection" to the social media world might foster distant relationships, but it is causing us to disconnect from our present ones.

While we might experience temporary pleasure from our favorite television shows, apps, and video games, research has found that "gratification results when we invest rather than consume" (Hawkins, 2012); and what would be better to invest in than our families? Family investments might include hiking, bike riding, learning a new skill, or just playing together. Rather than just spending all our time consuming, investing in constructive activities offers psychological and physical benefits for children and adults. Children who do chores and participate in extracurricular activities have been found to score "higher on measures of quality of life and subjective well being," than those who spend their time at the mall or playing video games (Seligman, 2002).

Author, Richard Louv described modern day individuals and families as being "disconnected from nature," or suffering from what he terms "nature deficit disorder," or NDD (2005). Where people used to spend ample amounts of time outdoors, we now spend it increasingly indoors with electronic media as our companions. To treat the symptoms of NDD, we can turn to the "Project Happy Hearts" web page, where we find 5 suggestions for "ways you can improve your physical, spiritual, and mental well being by taking advantage of nature’s restorative powers." As a family, try some of these suggestions which include:

•  Exercising outdoors: Go for a hike, swim in a lake, or take a walk along the beach.
• Socializing outdoors: Have a barbecue, a picnic, go camping or play Frisbee together. 
• Meditating outdoors: Sit and watch the clouds, listen to the birds, or just enjoy the feeling of the warm sun and cool breeze on your face. 

Louv further explains the direct influence nature has on our physical health. "Stress-reducing contact with nature can influence mental and emotional well-being."

Spending time outdoors is a great way to bond as a family, but it's not the only way. If we really desire fulfillment, gratification, and happiness in our families, we need to seek out the most optimal activities that allow us to communicate, connect, and build unity. Family Vacations and regular meal times together are two great ways to achieve these things. We also want to make sure all family members get a chance to do something they enjoy. Something that has worked well for us is to have family councils before vacations. We discuss the possible activities that each person would like a chance to do, and then schedule a time to do them. We decided to go somewhere new, but not too far for spring break. All my kids enjoy camping so we will be spending a couple days at a new national park. A couple kids expressed interest in horseback riding, and my younger ones wanted a walk through a large park with a splash pad. My oldest daughter and I enjoy touring the area and walking through new shops. With a little planning, we were able to fit in at least one activity that everyone enjoys. We always build good family memories and strengthen our relationships when we do these things together. So, what are some things you enjoy doing as a family?

Family Work

It is not uncommon to hear people reflect back to "the good ole' days," but what is it that makes the past such an alluring time? We have so many new advances, machinery and technology now, that you might wonder why anyone would want to go back to a time without so many conveniences. Families used to have to wake at the crack of dawn to get to work on the farm. Children would labor side by side with their parents to milk cows, gather eggs, harvest fruits and vegetables, make bread, and wash clothes by hand. 

Grandparents love to reminisce about their past history, which was often spent in the company of parents and siblings. But, times started to change after advances were made. Fathers were sent to work in factories and children sent off to school for most of the day. Mothers were left to care for the household with the replacement of new modern machines instead of children. Changing laws, views and morals have gradually separated family members from one another as they pursue their own individual interests. This "Leave it to Beaver" lifestyle might  seem perfect to some. Sure, parents were authoritative, kids well-behaved, and generally speaking- husbands and wives lived with respect for one another; but the share of household duties became largely a woman's job. While mothers cooked and cleaned, fathers worked and children played. Eventually, the woman's movement even took mothers out of the home to labor in the workforce and earn a few extra bucks to pay for extra conveniences and luxuries.

Hawkins et al. states, "while the economic model values efficiency, independence, and profit, the Lord teaches long-suffering, humility, and love unfeigned" (2012). While societal norms have constantly changed to eventually drive individuals and families away from each other, God's standards for loving and united families has remained the same. Russell M. Nelson once said:

“The home is a great laboratory of love. There the raw chemicals of selfishness and greed are melded in the crucible of cooperation to yield compassionate concern and love for one another" (1999).

Families that work side by side together are able to grow in appreciation, love, and concern for one another. It has been found that children who are responsible for self-care and family chores benefit by gaining valuable self-regulating skills and by learning to care for and think about others. Studies have also shown that children who do chores are more likely to "have more friends, and are less likely to disobey teachers, make trouble at school, or be depressed or withdrawn" (Coltrane, 2010). Maybe these benefits are what makes the old times look so good. Families worked together and became close knit as they served and helped one another. They all took satisfaction in making their house a home, while at the same time spending irreplaceable time together with their loved ones.

 Think back to the time spent with your family. When I do this, a large portion of my fondest memories include working side by side with my grandparents, parents and siblings. I loved to help Grandma cook in the kitchen, can fruits and vegetables, and care for the garden. Grandpa let me help with feeding the animals, ride with him on the tractor and horses, and watch him weld something for a neighbor. I learned valuable lessons from spending time working with my grandparents. I also helped my parents weed the garden, pick fruit from our trees and even build a cabin together as a family in the mountains. One of my clearest and favorite memories with my cousins was helping them clean the house while we listened to music blasting loudly from the stereo. My siblings and I also loved to have music playing in the background so we could sing along while we did our chores. Even though at the time we hated chores, looking back on it now makes me grateful for the that time of bonding and working together.

When I got married and started a family of my own, I was grateful for the skills I had learned growing up to care for my own home and be able to cook meals. As a mother, I am all too familiar with the common complaint of children who are asked to clean their room or do their chores. Many times I think it might just be easier for me to do it all on my own to prevent from hearing the complaints and to make the job faster and done better. However, this would not benefit my family. Completing mundane chores side by side with our children not only teaches them valuable skills, but gives parents and children an opportunity to interact. It sends the message to our children that they are valued and needed. They are also more likely to complete chores happily when we are willing to help them and make it fun. When our children were younger, we used to make a game out of their chores. For example, we would have them find and pick up all toys of a certain color, or see how fast they could clean up. I have passed down the practice of blasting music throughout the house when its chore time. While society has changed in its views and practices regarding family work, we can still apply the examples of our ancestors and create stronger family bonds through working together.

Living with Faith

Yesterday I read about the correlation between religion and happy, successful families. I found it fascinating that studies have shown that attending religious services more than once a week leads to a 7.6 year increase in lifespan. Not only that, it correlates with lower rates of abuse, pornography, infidelity, and depression. Shared religious beliefs and involvement between spouses can strengthen marriage and leads to less divorce. Fathers who attend church are also more involved and committed to their children's lives. They parent with more emotional warmth, kindness, and mercy.

Every Sunday, my husband and I along with our 5 kids, go to a 3 hour church service. When people hear that the Mormon church service lasts for 3 hours every Sunday, many are taken back. They might feel that this is unnecessarily long and that they "couldn't do it." I guess this is just what we are used to. During the first hour, we meet all together as one congregation. We take the sacrament, sing hymns and members of the congregation, including the youth, share sermons and testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel principles. The second hour, we meet in Sunday School groups and have more interactive lessons tailored to each specific age group. Children 11 and under go to primary or nursery, teens go to their own classes split by age, and adults attend their own class as well. The 3rd hour is divided up even more. Young women and young men (12-18 years) each go to a group that focuses on their unique challenges and capacities to become like the Savior. Likewise, adult women and adult men also go to separate

classes aimed at teaching them how to become better parents, spouses, neighbors and disciples. The children are split into classes by age group. I love that the members of our church get to receive not only messages as one unified congregation, but also lessons tailored specifically to each person according to their stage of life. I am a teacher for the 7 year old class. Almost every member of our congregation is asked to serve the church in some way, if they are willing and accept. No one gets paid to be in these "callings," not monetarily any way. We feel it is our duty to serve one another and we are compensated with many blessings and increased knowledge and skills. We receive no formal training or education to teach or lead. This is something else that many people find surprising, but there is a saying from our prophet, Thomas S. Monson that says:

 "Whom the Lord Calls, the Lord Qualifies.”

Our callings allow us to serve and grow. Many times, we learn more in our callings than those we teach and serve. It gives us a chance to be like the Savior. I also serve as the 8-12 year old girls activity leader. Every Tuesday night, the youth 8-18 get together for another activity to build unity and faith in Christ. I plan activities for the young girls group to help them learn new skills, talents, provide service for others, strengthen gospel principles, encourage them to make goals and good choices, and just get together with friends their age to have a good time. These activities provide us with the opportunity to attend religious services more than once a week, and help to keep us focused on the Savior. 

A correlation between religious youth and greater optimism and well-being has also been found. These youth also show less depression, anxiety, and fear as well as the ability to cope better with challenges and difficulties. I feel that all of the correlations I've read about are not by accident. Going to church each week and serving in my callings strengthens my faith, motivates me to do more good, helps me to feel the love of God, appreciation for my Savior, and gives me a sense of belonging. I do not have any family living close by. They are all at least 1500 miles away. My church congregation is like a family. We learn together, serve one another and are genuine friends. We not only share the same values, but we bond over shared interests, challenges, experiences and phases of life. We enjoy getting together as families to eat, play and laugh. Something we have maybe all heard is the phrase "It takes a village to raise a child." I am so grateful for my village of people who love, serve to teach my children each week. I take comfort in knowing I have back-up and support in the great responsibility of parenthood as well as support from my Father in Heaven who has my back. When I am spiritually recharged and in tune each week, I have the strength and will to keep moving forward, doing the best I can to be closer to the Savior and have His spirit with me. I know myself and my family receive blessings from doing these things.