John Howard, the great Christian philanthropist, never neglected family prayer, though often no one else than a servant was present to join with him. He always declared that where he had a tent, God should have an altar. Wherever he was, the duty was attended to when the accustomed time for prayer came. Nothing and no one was allowed to interfere with it; and every call of business had to wait outside the locked door till it was ended.

We sorely need such praying John Howards in our homes today. Many a bridal couple has chosen this text for its wedding sermon and at first also practiced it by having family prayer. But in the course of time, for one reason or other, the family devotions were neglected, and, with them, joy, peace, and happiness fled the home. However, it is not too late to mend; and where there is a will, there is a way, especially in such a serious and vital matter as a whole family's happiness. Let the neglected family prayers again be taken up in the home. Where the custom of family devotions has never been observed, let it at once be introduced. God's Word will not be read in vain; joint prayer will prove an unfailing source of blessing.

"Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them," is the promise of our Savior. The holy fear of God will become the light, trust in God - the strength, glad service of God - the shining glory, of such a home. Husband and wife and children will learn to serve the Lord in faith and hope, in joy and sorrow, in life and death. The angels of peace, of kindliness, of unalloyed happiness, will dwell at its fireside, and you can write over its doors: "This is a house of God; this is a gate of heaven." Let us never, therefore, neglect our family prayers. Let us get up a little earlier in the morning or stay up a little later in the evening in order to meet in common worship at the Throne of Mercy. God's Word is not a vain thing; it is our life.

[devotion text by Rev. F. W. Herzberger (1920) -
from the Family Altar - CPH (1957 edition)]
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