From the time I was a child I’ve enjoyed reading and learning new things. I would spend hours pouring over encyclopedias, watching documentaries, and reading biographies. And I still do today.
Often while cleaning my house I’ll find an instructional video or documentary on YouTube to listen to, because doing those menial tasks can get really boring.
But, one day as I started to clean house, I began doing something new. I began making my
entire house a house of prayer. Rather than grabbing my cell phone, I began to pray prayers over every room in the house. I had prayed over my entire family and home in a way I never had before and it not only revolutionized my prayer life, it completely changed how I viewed housework.
1. The Bedrooms: As you make the beds, lay your hand on each pillow and pray for each member of your family.
Heavenly Father, I pray that You will bless
and keep __________. Make Your face to shine upon them and be gracious to them. Fill them with Your grace and love so that wherever they go, their actions will be a good testimony. Guard and keep them as they are with their friends, that they will stand strong and never compromise their values. Bless them as they sleep tonight; as Your word says that You give to Your beloved even in their sleep.
2. The Living Room: As you dust the furniture and pick
up odds and ends laying around pray over your family time and entertainment.
Heavenly Father, I pray that our entertainment will glorify you. May we never fill our home with those things that grieve your Holy Spirit. Give us discernment to know when to turn off the TV or computer. Guard our hearts against immorality and protect our lives from the destruction of pornography. Help us to raise our children with godly values and discernment, that they will have the
strength to stand alone and walk away, even when all their friends choose to entertain themselves with the world.
3. The Dining Room: As you wipe down the table and chairs, pray over your family conversation.
Heavenly Father, bless the time we spend together as a family. May it we encourage one another and not criticize. Fill our home with joy and laughter and fill our hearts with love, grace and understanding for one
another. Even in our disagreement, may we disagree gracefully and with love.
4. The Kitchen: As you wipe down the counters and appliances.
Heavenly Father, Your Word says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” I pray that as we eat our meals together, that we will also taste Your goodness. May we always be grateful for all You’ve given us. May our hearts never forget – even in the hard times – that You have blessed us
beyond what we deserve. Thank You for our home, thank You for a loving family, thank You for everything You have given us. You have been good!
5. The Bathroom: As you wipe down the sink and mirror.
Heavenly Father, Ephesians tells us how to prepare our Spirits to go to war. I pray that as we get ready each day that we will not forget to get ready spiritually go out into world where we will face temptation and
compromise. As we wash our face, brush our teeth, do our hair and makeup, may we remember to also clothe ourselves in salvation, righteousness, truth, the gospel of peace, faith and Your Word, which is on our heart. May we be spiritually ready to leave our home, even as we are physically ready.
6. The Front Door: As you wipe down your front door.
Heavenly Father, I pray for everyone who walks through this door that they
will feel Your love, joy and peace in our home. Fill our home with the warmth of hospitality so that our guests feel at home with us. May our conversations be encouraging and may we find ways to build up and edify everyone who visits our home. When they leave, I pray that they will be richer for having been in our home.
By Rosalind Jukic, author of A Little R & R, a Bible study blog where she provides tips and resources to help women with their quiet times.
