How to Build a Strong Family Prayer Routine

Family Compassion
Aug 15
2 min read

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways we can connect with God—and with each other. But in the busyness of everyday life, even the best intentions to pray together as a family can get lost in homework, sports practices, work schedules, and endless to-do lists.

The good news? Building a family prayer routine doesn’t have to be

complicated. With a little intention and consistency, you can make prayer a natural and joyful part of your family’s day.

1. Start Small and Simple

If you’re new to praying together, don’t feel pressured to begin with long, formal prayers. Even two to three minutes of intentional prayer can be a powerful starting point. Over time, you can expand as your family grows more comfortable.

Example:

Morning prayer before school: “God, thank You for this day. Help us to be kind, patient, and full of love.”
Evening prayer before bed: “Lord, thank You for today. Please watch over our family tonight.”

2. Pick a Consistent Time

Prayer routines work best when they’re anchored to an existing habit. Choose a time that works for your family and commit to it as much as possible.

Common options include:

Before breakfast or dinner
Right before bed
In the car on the way to school or activities

3. Get Everyone Involved

Encourage every family member, even young children, to lead part of the prayer. This helps everyone feel included and teaches children how to pray with confidence.

Idea: Create a “Prayer Leader” rotation so each day someone different starts or closes the prayer.

4. Keep a Family Prayer Journal

Write down prayer requests, answered prayers, and blessings. Not only does this help you remember to pray for specific needs, but it also becomes a beautiful record of God’s faithfulness over time.

You can:

Keep a simple notebook on the kitchen counter
Use sticky notes on a “prayer wall” in your home
Let kids decorate the pages to make it engaging

5. Make Prayer Personal and Relatable

Prayer doesn’t have to be formal—it can be conversational. Encourage family members to talk to God about their real feelings, worries, and hopes.

You can also connect prayer to everyday life:

Pray for classmates or co-workers who are struggling
Thank God for something that happened that day
Ask for help with an upcoming test, job interview, or decision

6. Use Scripture as a Guide

Incorporating Bible verses into your prayer time can help root your family’s prayers in God’s Word.

For example:

Psalm 23 for comfort
Philippians 4:6-7 for peace
Matthew 5:16 for encouragement to shine God’s light

7. Celebrate God’s Answers

When a prayer is answered—whether the outcome is what you expected or not—pause to thank God together. This reinforces gratitude and helps children understand that God always hears us, even if His answer looks different from ours.