How does your family put prayer into practice? I used to hear pastors talk about the family prayer altar. My mom prayed and taught me to pray. For her, prayer was more of a force than just a form, or formality. When I came home in my High School years, I would often find her at the kitchen table, with her Bible open. “I prayed for you today,” she would say. I believed her.
In the toledot or “account of the family line of Abraham’s son Isaac,” prayer held sway. Isaac was meditating in the field when Rebekah saw him in the distance. When they struggled with infertility, Isaac prayed to the Lord on her behalf. The Lord answered and she conceived.
Isaac prayed, but not alone. His twin sons, Esau and Jacob began their uncivil war in the womb. When Rebekah wondered about it, she inquired of the Lord. The Lord explained to her that two nations were in her womb. Before the boys were born, Rebekah learned that the younger would be stronger and the older would server the younger. How would you use that kind of information?
We spent time with our family this weekend. Children are expected in a few branches of our family. Babies have been born in the extended family. The Lord knows how all of this will work out. But it drives me to pray. I come from a long line of praying people. This must not stop with me. So I pray. Sometimes I text the kids and say, “I prayed for you today.” I hope they believe me. God is listening.
