Now’s the Time! Resources for Family Devotions

Melissa Kruger

A friend once asked me, “Do you really do family devotions every morning . . . with teenagers? How do you get them to do that?” I understood the underlying surprise behind her question. Truthfully, I’m regularly amazed when we sit down to the table in the morning and read the Bible together. No one complains or seems to think anything unusual is happening. We read a passage or devotional together. We pray for one another and others in our community. We regularly laugh together about something. Collectively, it takes about 10 minutes.

Yet somehow it changes everything.

I know it sounds simplistic, but those family devotions are some of the most meaningful parts of our day. We talk about God, his Word, and our needs. I hear about my daughter’s math test that she’s concerned about or my son’s paper that’s due. It’s an opportunity to take the time to ask one another, “How are you doing?” We also pray for missionaries, as well as needs in our church and world. It’s our time as a family to listen to God through his Word and speak to God through prayer.

Let me be clear. We miss days. Sometimes we’re rushing around the kitchen packing lunches and running late. We’re not perfect in our family devotional times. However, it’s the pattern of our home.

I know many family routines are in the midst of upheaval right now. Sports practices are canceled. School has gone online. Rather than play in the neighborhood or gather at a coffee shop, kids are meeting up on FaceTime (and we’re actually encouraging it). In the midst of so many regular activities ending, there are new opportunities to connect with one another as a family.

There’s no better time to start family devotions together. Pick a time (there are a lot of options right now) and add it to your routine. If you have older children, I know it can feel uncomfortable to begin, and your teenagers might not love the idea. Give it a try. Start by reading a psalm and praying together. Or use a devotional of some sort to help guide you.

If you have younger children, let me encourage you, establish these routines into your home in the early years. It’s worth it! Our teenagers come to the table expecting family devotions because we’ve been doing them since they were young. It’s like brushing their teeth or taking a shower. It’s just part of our daily routine.

If you’re looking for ideas to help, here are some resources that we’ve found useful. I also asked some friends for books they’ve used and shared how we do family prayer. Don’t wait, begin today!

Toddlers and Preschoolers

At this age, I’d keep it simple. Read a Bible story, ask a question or two, and pray. Work on one memory verse or catechism question for the week. Over time those small deposits will make a huge impact.

Preschool and Early Elementary

Elementary to Early High School

Middle and High School

Prayer Cards

I write prayer lists on note cards for Monday through Friday that we use for the year, following this format (it helps us to purposefully pray for others):

The family member whose day it is to pray for shares, and then the person to the right of them prays for their requests, along with everything else on the card. So, over the course of the week, everyone in the family is prayed for, and everyone prays.

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