MOSAIC Fall 2015 | Page 8

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE Make Your Family a “School of Prayer” Perseverance and parental teamwork helps to nurture a home where “God is first” for a lifetime. Paco Gavrilides “Magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3 F r. Patrick Peyton, founder of the post-World War II prayer movement called “Family Rosary Crusade,” coined this expression: “The family that prays together stays together.” To gather together in the name of the Lord, mother and father and children, and to joyfully celebrate his loving presence and seek his help and guidance establishes a genuine spiritual bond between the family and God, who is father of us all. three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20). God’s loving presence in the family at prayer is intended to keep our hearts and minds awakened to the precious truth that God is among us. He wants to bless and lead us in our daily lives as one who journeys with his people until they all reach the Father’s house. If parents accomplish this one goal of fostering a bond of trust between the Lord and their children, they will have served them well not only in the present but also for a lifetime. As families, we should never be embarrassed to acknowledge our relationship with the Lord. On the contrary, we are to take delight in the Lord: “Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire (Ps 37:4). A Multi-splendored Expression Over the years, I have listened to many parents who have attempted to establish family prayer in a meaningful way. I know of families who do gather to pray the Rosary together. I know other families who pray together more spontaneously and creatively use the Bible in their worship. Some other families have the practice of praying the Liturgy of the Hours. These and other approaches to prayer can be spiritually fruitful. Each household will have to discover their way to express family prayer most fruitful for them. One size does not fit all. I do want to recommend, howeve Ȱ