Family Worship # 2

Family Worship # 2

Family worship should be conducted reverently, earnestly and simply. it is then, that the little ones will receive their first impressions and form their initial conceptions of the Lord God. Great care needs to be taken lest a false idea be given them of the Divine Character, and for this, the balance must be preserved  between dwelling upon His transcendency and immanency, His holiness and His mercy, His power and His tenderness, His justice and His grace. Worship should begin with a few words of prayer invoking God's presence and blessing. A short passage from His Word should follow, with brief comments thereon. Two or three verses of a Psalm or hymn may be sung. Close with a prayer of committal into the hands of God. Though we may not be able to pray eloquently, we should pray earnestly. Prevailing prayers are usually brief ones. Beware of wearying the young ones.

The advantages and blessings of family worship are incalculable.

First, family worship will prevent much sin. It awes the soul, conveys a sense of God's majesty and authority, sets solemn truths before the mind, and brings down blessings from God on the home. Personal piety in the home is a most influential means, under God, of conveying piety to the little ones. Children are largely creatures of imitation, loving to copy what they see in others.

"He issued His decree to Jacob; He gave His law to Israel. He commanded our forefathers to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them - even the children not yet born - that they in turn might teach their children. So that each generation might put their confidence in God and not forget God's works, but keep His commandments" (Psalm 78:5-7).

How much of the dreadful moral and spiritual conditions of the masses today, may be traced back to the neglect of their fathers in this duty? How can those who neglect the worship of God in their families - look for peace and comfort therein? Daily prayer in the home, is a blessed means of grace for allaying those unhappy passions to which our common nature is subject.

Finally, family prayer gains for us the presence and blessing of the Lord. There is a promise of His presence which is peculiarly applicable to this duty, "Where two or three are gathered together in My name - I am there among them." (Matt. 18:20). Many have found in family worship, that help and communion with God which they sought for with less effect in private prayer.

~A. W. Pink~

(The End)