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Family Prayer Time

The thought behind Family Prayer Time is to provide a simple
formula to be used by the family that would like to set aside a
brief period once a month for praying together as a family.
Families come in all ages, of course, and it will be for the parents
to adapt the prayers and reflections to their own needs. As time
goes on, the family may be inspired to write its own prayer
service. That would be a welcome and wonderful development.

How is family prayer time to be arranged? There is no set rule.
One method that has been helpful is to decide that on one day
each month, after the evening meal, even before the dishes are
washed, the family would gather to pray together. It is a little
awkward at first, but once the custom is established, everyone’s
schedule is arranged so that all can be on hand. Needless to say,
God’s blessing will be on the effort.

These reflections concentrate on the place of Jesus in our lives
and on the family virtues illumined by the example of the Holy
Family: love, concern, forgiveness, outreach to others, and a sense
of vocation, an awareness that each one is called by God to a
special mission in life. Obviously, where very young children are
present, be mindful of the language of the prayers, and the

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