How to Pray as a Family

Learning how to pray as a family isn’t about perfection.

When I was a kid, my parents made it a point to gather us for family prayer every evening – no matter how chaotic the day. I can still picture it: Dad sitting on the couch with his Bible, Mom gently nudging us to quiet down, and the smell of dinner lingering in the background. Some nights, we’d all be focused and prayerful. Other nights, we’d giggle, fidget, or try to sneak in one more cartoon. But no matter what, we prayed.

Looking back, those moments became more than just a daily routine. Those moments of shared prayer became the glue that held us together through life’s ups and downs. They shaped how I saw God—accessible, personal, and woven into the everyday.

Importance of Praying as a Family

My parents didn’t have a perfect method or fancy devotionals. What they had was a desire to keep God at the center of our home, and that was enough. Prayer is one of the greatest gifts we can pass down to our children. It’s not just something we do before meals or at bedtime—it’s a powerful way to connect with God, strengthen our faith, and bring our family closer together.

When we teach our children to pray as a family, we’re showing them that prayer is more than just words—it’s a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Praying together as a family is about showing up, day after day, choosing connection over chaos, inviting God into the ordinary and creating a sacred rhythm that nurtures the faith of our children. And I know first-hand that establishing a family prayer routine can transform your household into a sanctuary of peace and purpose.

If you want to cultivate a family culture of prayer, here are practical, biblically grounded ways to make it a meaningful part of your home.

How to Pray as a Family – 10 Practical Ways to Get Started

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1. Make Prayer a Daily Habit

Building a family prayer habit starts with consistency, not perfection. And it helps create a rhythm that brings your family closer to God and each other. Even just five minutes a day can make a big impact over time.

• Set a specific time for family prayer—morning, before meals, bedtime, or anytime that works best.
• Keep it simple and consistent—even a short prayer together is powerful.
• Show kids that prayer is not just for church—it’s for every part of life. Use the opportunity to teach them how to spend time with God.

When prayer becomes a routine, it becomes a natural part of family life.

2. Start with Simple, Conversational Prayers

When praying as a family, you don’t need fancy words or long speeches. A relaxed and honest approach makes it easier for kids to join in and helps everyone feel comfortable.

Encourage kids to pray in their own words. Show them that prayer isn’t about impressing God—it’s about talking to Him.

Keeping your family prayer routine real and relatable sets the tone for a habit that sticks—and grows with your family.

Use a simple prayer structure like:

• Praise – Thank God for who He is.
• Confession – Ask for forgiveness.
• Thanksgiving – Show gratitude for blessings.
• Requests – Pray for needs and others.

When prayer feels real and personal, kids will be more eager to join in.

3. Encourage Everyone to Pray Aloud

Give each family member a chance to pray out loud, even if it’s just a sentence. Let little ones say short, simple prayers like “Thank You, Jesus, for today!”

Don’t force it—if a child is shy, let them listen until they’re ready.

Hearing each other’s prayers builds unity and strengthens faith.

4. Keep It Engaging for Kids

When your family prayer routine includes activities that capture their attention, kids are more likely to stay engaged—and even look forward to prayer time.

• Use a prayer jar—write prayer requests on slips of paper and pick one each night.
• Let them take turns leading, and choose who to pray for.
• Have a “thankful prayer” time—go around and say what you’re grateful for.
• Let kids draw their prayers if they struggle to find words.

Making prayer interactive helps kids stay engaged and excited.

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5. Pray Scripture Over Your Family

Incorporating God’s Word into your family prayer routine is a powerful way to grow in faith together. Praying Scripture helps anchor your prayers in truth and teaches your children how to connect with the Bible in a meaningful way.

• Read a Bible verse together before praying, and turn it into a prayer.
• Use Scripture to pray for protection, wisdom, and strength over your family.

When we pray God’s Word, our prayers become even more powerful.

6. Pray for Others Together

James 5:16 – “Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

• Encourage kids to pray for friends, teachers, neighbors, and those in need.
• Keep a family prayer list of requests to pray for regularly.
• Pray for missionaries, churches, and people around the world.

Teaching kids to pray for others instils compassion and a servant’s heart.

7. Use Different Types of Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 – “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

• Thanksgiving Prayers – Focusing only on gratitude to God.
• Worship Prayers – Singing or speaking praise to God.
• Silent Prayers – Taking time to listen for God’s voice.

Mixing up prayer styles keeps it fresh and meaningful.

8. Teach Kids to Pray Through Hard Times

Helping your children learn to turn to God when life feels heavy is an important part of praying together as a family. When you include honest, heartfelt prayers during your family prayer time, you’re showing them that it’s okay to bring their worries, fears, and questions to God.

• Teach them to bring worries and fears to God in prayer.
• Let them see you pray when you face challenges—they’ll learn by watching you.
• Remind them that God is always listening, even when He seems silent.

Praying through struggles deepens faith and trust in God’s plan.

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9. Celebrate Answered Prayers

Psalm 118:21 – “I will give You thanks, for You answered me; You have become my salvation.”

• Keep a prayer journal to track answered prayers.
• Celebrate together when God provides, heals, or opens doors.
• Teach kids that even when prayers aren’t answered the way we expect, God is still working.

Recognizing answered prayers builds faith and trust in God’s goodness.

10. Make Prayer a Lifestyle, Not Just an Activity

Colossians 4:2 – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Prayer shouldn’t feel like just another task on the to-do list—it’s meant to be a way of life. When you want to pray as a family, it helps to weave prayer into everyday moments, not just set times.

• Show kids that they can pray anywhere, anytime.
• Teach them that God is always near, ready to listen.
• Live out a prayer-filled life—making prayer as natural as talking.

A praying family is a strong family, rooted in Christ.

Final Thoughts

Prayer connects us to God and strengthens our families. Whether your prayers are long or short, structured or spontaneous, what matters most is that you pray together.