GIF Family Goals

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

(Proverbs 16:3 NIV)

Family Goals
by Larry Burkett

Goals should be set individually, but they also must become a part of your partnership with your spouse. If your spouse is not a Christian, you have an excellent goal to establish in your personal prayer life.

Don’t give up praying for your unsaved spouse (or any other unbeliever). One Christian lady I know prayed for her husband 22 years before he accepted the Lord. It finally took the shock of three years in prison before he responded.

A minimum family goal, which would be a good start, should be to read a few verses of Scripture and pray together regularly.

As Christian parents, we should teach our children God’s principles. With very young children, study and prayer are relatively easy habits to develop in the family. Start with a good children’s Bible guide and pray for each other.

With older children, start where you can. Read a brief devotional at the breakfast or dinner table, and set aside a few minutes to pray together. You get to know about God by studying His Word, but you get to know God through prayer.

Set a goal with your family to pray regularly and consistently. Even though it may sound trite, it is true: The family that prays together stays together.

You can get your start from God’s Word. “Father, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:2-4).

Daily Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 14-15