Question
Dear Gramps,
How do you make family prayer a priority, and why should you?
Sam
Answer
Dear Sam,
I assume that you are referring specifically to family prayer as opposed to private personal prayer. But in case you are not, here are some reasons why one should pray—
3 Ne 18:18 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
D&C 10:5 Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Now, why family prayer. The family is the basic unit in the Mormon Church. As a church unit prayer is an integral part of family functions. Further, if there are children in your family, the family prayer can be a very powerful teaching tool. If you are consistent in holding family prayer your children will learn to pray and will learn of its importance from the example of the parents. Further, they will learn the essential things to pray about, and as they see the prayers answered they will gain faith in the efficacy of prayer, and they will learn the value of following the commandments..
Gramps