Raising children is not easy. Trying to get them to the point of where you want to get them is challenging!

But perhaps even more challenging is finding clarity on what that point is!

In raising kids we should ask often – which way are we going?

Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Which way is that way?

Here are 2 concerns we need to recognize in parenting:

• 1) IT IS NOT “THE WAY” YOU ARE GOING
  
  The direction we are to raise our kids is toward God and His ways. “The way” mentioned in Proverbs 22:6 is not the parents’ way – it is God’s way. Parents must be able to self-examine and see how they are living. Parents must be self-aware. Raising kids to be like you if you are not going God’s way will surely result in some confusion and frustration.
  
  If the parents are going God’s way, then praise the Lord! May their kids go in that same direction.
  
  If the parents are not going God’s way, then it is concerning that they kids may end up going that way too.
  
  
• 2) IT IS NOT “THE WAY” YOU WANT THEM TO GO
  
  The direction we are to raise our kids is toward God and His ways. “The way” mentioned in Proverbs 22:6 is not simply whatever way the parents desire for them to go. It is God’s way. Parents must submit their wishes and desires for their kids to God’s purposes for their lives.
  
  Parents often push their kids in directions that they do not want to go. Parents often push their kids in directions that only the parents desire. And sadly, parents often try to live out their goals through their kids.
  
  If the parents’ desires are for the kids to go God’s way, then praise the Lord! May their kids go in that direction, wherever that God-honoring direction takes them.
  
  If the parents’ desires for the kids are not in the direction of God’s way, then it is concerning that the kids may end up going in the way of their parents desires but not God’s way.

Parenting is a gift from God. And Jesus tells us that He is the Way. Whatever children grow up to do and to be, may they do that as they trust and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to begin praying with everyone in your home. No matter who you live with, I suggest for you to pray with them.

Leading a home; raising children; managing roommates; understanding a spouse; or any other situation is no easy task. Praying together is a key benefit.

While praying together is definitely not the only thing to do, it is of God and it is good and it is useful.

So here are 3 Reasons to Pray with Your Household:

1. IT REINFORCES OUR DEPENDENCY UPON GOD

There is such a focus on being independent. Independence is desirable in many areas of life, but not with God. Independence is against faith and true religion. Truly knowing God is to be utterly and totally dependent upon Him.

When we pray together, we remind ourselves and those we pray with that we need God. Prayer fights against independence and re-calibrates us back to depending on God.

I purposefully use the word “reinforces” here because dependence on God is that critical. We need a big, strong word and idea to emphasize dependence. We need it reinforced!

May we all learn to live recognizing our constant need for God.

2) IT REMINDS THEM THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING JESUS

We can never allow ourselves to lose sight of the simplicity that Christians are followers of Jesus. He leads us. We look to Him. We listen to Him. We seek to obey Him. We love Him.

When we claim Christ or Christianity, and we are not following Jesus, then we become the realest of hypocrites.

And when it comes to our homes, we have to be honest – sometimes “growing up in a Christian home” is not the same thing as following Jesus. Quite honestly, I have seen many so-called “Christian homes” that do the opposite of following Jesus.

One of the ways to correct this error is to pray together. Praying together about sin and forgiveness and hope and peace will direct you back to the clarity of following Jesus.

3) IT RESTORES THE RELATIONSHIPS IN THE HOME

It is common for homes to be filled with tensions. Thats normal. People live there. But when those tensions are never repaired then relationships suffer and are lost. Praying together helps restore these relationships.

We may have taken them to church, but have we taken them to the cross of Christ?

At the cross, we see our sin. We see our brokenness. We confess our sins. At the cross, we repent and turn back to God asking Him to help us be what He wants us to be.

The splintered relationships in homes can be restored as we regularly/daily come together to pray.

I know that this will be a new and difficult step for some people. Thats ok. Its worth it. I encourage everyone to begin praying with their household.