The Family that Prays Together….by Neesha Maria Stringfellow

I recall as a little girl, always hearing a shout from the bottom of the stairs, Neeeesha, Shaaanna, wake up, get up, I am about to leave, “everyone get up”, and every morning for as long as I can remember as long as we were in my mothers house, we had to wake up and have prayer before the day started, even if we were off for the summer, before my mom left for work, we were torchered to get up 5am, 6am, etc… and get up to pray.
To this very day, I wake my girls up and we have prayer before our day gets started, sometimes I give them a break in the summer. I have learned the importance of praying together as a family. I am reminded of the song Shirley Ceasor sang when she talked about kidding around in the back yard and playing church when she was a little girl, she played so much until finally the HolySpirit touched her and she was filled in the back yard while playing church.
Our children and families may never understand the sacrifices that are made to pull everyone together to pray, but in the long run it pays off.
My mom started Family Prayer about 7 years ago, and all of us our guilty of letting it fall short from time to time, but conviction has set in as a reminder to get back on the wall.
My mom usually prepares a meal, and calls the family together to pray. THis is a time where we can reflect on God’s goodness, testimonies are shared, and prayer request are given. Miracles have happened over and over again because we took time to come together and agree that “the family that prays together, stays together! As the psalmist wrote … As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!
My mom just had surgery and is recovering well, but we have fallen short in the monthly family prayer that she normally hosts, today I plan to gather my family together to have a longoverdue family prayer. I would like to encourage you to do the same… it causes unity where there might be division, encouragment when some might need it, and simply great fellowship! This is a season where families get together for reunions, graduation parties, summer bashes, and so much more. I encourage you today, gather your family together, cook a meal, and share the goodness of God! Your family may not have over 20 people like ours, you may just have 4, but start a tradition that your children will keep alive forever! Maybe you did come together for a birthday, reunion, or simply a dinner, whatever the occasion take some time to give glory and honor to the Almighty! Prayer changes things!
We gave my mom soooo much trouble when we were in her home, and now my children give me a hard time when I wake them up, but guess what, I will not be suprised that their children will give them trouble also…. from generation to generation!
I would like to personally thank my mom for building our home on the foundation of Prayer!
Start today!
God Bless You!
Love Neesha