Family Prayer Night: A Simple How-To Guide for Creating Unity at Home

Prayer is one of the most powerful tools in the life of the believer. James 5:16 tells us that, “...The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Imagine the power of a righteous family! In the hands of a family, it has the ability to deepen connection with your loved ones and create a faith that lasts for generations.

But, family prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, family prayer night can become a rhythm the whole family looks forward to. Here is a simple, yet effective, prayer guide along with an easy to follow template download for your family to use based off of The Lord’s Prayer.

Why Family Prayer Night Matters

Prayer night with family isn’t just communication, it’s formation. It shapes family culture and is discipleship in real time. As a spiritual anchor, family prayer helps children develop deeper roots in their faith. When families pray together consistently, prayers get answered, and witnessing those answers increases faith. 

While many parents want to include prayer into their routines, oftentimes busy schedules, shifting seasons of life, and even distractions can prevent them from knowing where to start. But, Jesus modeled prayer in a way that kept it simple and connected to the heart of the Father. In Matthew 6:9-13, He presents us with the perfect outline for powerful prayer that still works today.

How to Lead Family Prayer Night (With Christ’s Framework)

Getting Started: Pick a Night to Gather

• Decide on a night that you want to incorporate a family prayer night. 
• Consider: How many nights in a month do you want to have your prayer gathering? (Is this weekly, monthly, etc.)
• Add to the calendar and confirm that everyone will be present and phones/devices are put away.

Consider using short directed family prayer prompts to help with launching the evening as you establish your own personal family prayer rituals.

Pray Like Jesus: Follow a Simple Prayer Outline

Prayer night is a gift and shouldn’t feel like another chore to tackle. Instead, allow it to become a valued part of your family rhythms using the structure from the Lord’s Prayer below and grab the download for extra guidance here:

Step 1 — Lead from Identity: “Our Father…” : Start by gathering, connecting, and welcoming God. Use this as a gratitude round to give thanks for God and all He has done. This sets the tone for powerful family prayer.

Step 2 — Worship: “Hallowed be Your name.”: Choose a worship song, verse, or moment of silence to focus attention on honoring God. Keep it short, especially with kids.

Step 3 — Intercession: “Your kingdom come…” Encourage prayer for friends, other family members, teachers, neighbors, missionaries, and your pastors. This will help teach and model that prayer isn’t only about us.

Step 4 — Personal Needs: “Give us today our daily bread.”: Each person shares a need they are believing in God for and makes their requests before the Lord. This is where you can keep track and begin to see answers to prayers happen!

Step 5 — Forgiveness: “Forgive us…”: Use this time to release the offense of someone through forgiveness or ask for forgiveness. This is a check-in moment for unity. It also provides an opportunity for open discussion later allowing for healing and reconciliation. For the family member praying try this prompt: “Lord show us where we need to forgive anyone in our family this week. Help us to release offense. Please also forgive me for ___________.”

Step 6 — Protection & Blessing: “Deliver us…”: Parents speak blessing or read a chosen scripture over each child. Allow older children to do the same over siblings or parents.

Set Up Your Gratitude with An Answered Prayers List

A beautiful way to make prayer nights stick in your family rhythms is to build anticipation for the next one by having a record of answered prayers. For your prayer night, take notes of the prayers and post them somewhere visibly or in a dedicated family prayer night journal that you keep special for your gatherings. We’ve provided a starting point in prayer the download as well! As prayers get answered, record them. This builds faith in real time and gives you a launching pad for your next prayer night!

Why it works:

•  Children SEE that prayers get answered
•  Teens understand that God is active 
• Adults get reminded of God’s faithfulness

Prayer Isn’t About Perfection

In your family prayer night planning, remember that participation, presence, and pursuit of God matter more than having a “perfect” night. It’s ok if things don’t go 100% to plan.

• Young children may get distracted. Keep it short. 
• Teens may not want to immediately follow, invite them to help lead. 
• Someone may be shy to pray out loud, let them write out the requests and prayers. 

Simply starting a consistent prayer rhythm will accomplish much! Not only does God hear and see, but you are growing in faith as a family, creating generous hearts, and shaping a family culture that builds legacy both here and in the kingdom.

To support you as you build these rhythms, download our Winning as a Family.  free mini course—a helpful next step to setting a new standard of generational success and instilling greater purpose in your home.