Family prayer

Family prayer, even when you live apart

Family prayer works best when it is short, regular and specific: one time a week everyone knows, one request from each person, and someone who checks back. Families who no longer share a kitchen table can do the same thing by phone or in a shared prayer circle, so a parent in one city and a grown child in another still pray for the same things.

Three ways to pray as a family

Around the table

If you live together, attach prayer to a meal you already share. Each person names one thing to thank God for and one thing to ask for. Keep it under five minutes so children stay with it.

On a weekly call

For families spread out, a fixed weekly call works well. Spend the last few minutes sharing requests, and let one person pray for everyone. Write the requests down so you can ask about them next week.

In a shared prayer circle

Between calls, a private circle in Avela keeps requests in one place. When your sister posts that her son has a hard exam on Thursday, everyone sees it, taps "I prayed", and she knows. When the answer comes, she marks it and the family gives thanks together.

What to pray for as a family

Each other's health, work and safety, by name.
Children and grandchildren: their friendships, studies and faith.
Decisions someone is facing this week.
Peace where there is tension in the family.
People outside the family whom each of you knows are struggling.

Scripture gives a simple picture of why this matters: "if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls" (Ecclesiastes 4:10, World English Bible).

The Avela Family plan

Family gives up to 6 people full Avela Premium: the daily practice, programs, the prayer journal and Prayer Circles, including a circle for your family. Each person keeps a private journal that others cannot see. $12.99 a month or $95.99 a year, about $1.33 per person a month when all six seats are used, with 7 days free (planned prices).

If family members use Android phones, they cannot join yet: Avela is iPhone first.