Prayer for the family

Lord, I bring my family before you. You know them better than I do: you know the stories, the wounds, the joys and the silences of each one.

I ask you for unity. May the differences between us not turn into walls. May we know how to disagree without wounding, give way without resentment and back down when we are wrong. Teach us to listen before we answer.

I ask you for protection. Keep each one on their way — at school, at work, in traffic, in their choices. Deliver our home from what destroys: from lies, from addiction, from violence, from indifference.

I ask you for forgiveness among us. There are things still unsaid and hurts still unhealed. Soften the hard hearts, including mine. Let forgiveness arrive before time hardens everything.

I ask you for provision. May bread, medicine and a roof never be lacking. And if something is lacking, may trust in you never be.

Make this home a place where you are welcome: in the conversations, in the decisions, at the table. As for me and my house, we want to serve you. Amen.