Teaching Principles During Family Time or Mealtime

by Lois Breneman ~ 2004 ~ Heart to Heart

The prayer list for praying for our children for 31 days is great, but the possibilities for this list don't stop with being a prayer guide for parents.  Not only is this list a good guide for parents to invest their time wisely by praying for their children every day, but young people who desire to glorify the Lord in their lives may want to pray these prayers for themselves and their friends as well.  

This 31 day prayer list is also an excellent Bible study guide for parents and children together - a perfect tool for Family Nights.  Stories in the Bible can be chosen to reinforce each principle.   Many times a story is found within the scriptures given above.  Other life stories (maybe even your own) could be read or told as well to support these principles.  End with prayer for these principles to be lived out in the lives your children - and in the lives of their parents. 

Another idea is to use one principle each day at mealtime - whichever meal works best for you.  Simply state the principle, read the verse and pray.  This will speak volumes to your children and they will remember it into adulthood, if you do it consistently.  During the meal you may want to discuss the principle further by having a Q & A session. 

This is also a wonderful "Scripture Memorization" tool.  If you choose to use this plan each month, those 31 verses will be read twelve times each year, and those scriptures will be stored up in your children's hearts as long as the live.  I realize that life gets so busy sometimes that a good intention is dropped.  Well, just pick up and start again.  Be persistent.  The benefits are worth it!