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.