Lord,
You anointed our family by your Spirit, claiming us as your own children. You teach us the knowledge of your Son, Jesus. The path to salvation is clearly marked out for our steps to follow. You’ve revealed the mysteries of heaven—a God who can be heard, known, and loved. In you we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)

Yet even as our minds hold the truth of God, our hearts can be empty. We attend church but let the riches of Scripture slip through our fingers. Prayer is a habit at the dinner table instead of a constant heart’s cry for wisdom and strength. Our first love—Jesus—is exchanged for lesser things. We chase after success, fun, and our own desires. We step from the solid rock of your Word onto shifting sands of popular thinking. In all this, we wonder why our house is filled with conflict and confusion.

Make us a family who lives what we know. Teach us to love each other. Fill us with compassion to forgive. Let prayer, worship, and thanks echo through the walls of our home. Open our doors to show hospitality in Jesus’ name. Write your Word on our hearts so our choices and priorities please you. Let us stick close to you all the time as we listen and obey your voice. Keep us sheltered under your wing from every lie and attack of the evil one.

As you teach us, help us to remain in you. Prove our faith real. Let us love faithfully until we see you face to face.

Amen.

As for you, see that what you have heard
from the beginning remains in you.
If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

I am writing these things to you about those
who are trying to lead you astray. As for you,
the anointing you received from him remains in you,
and you do not need anyone to teach you.

But as his anointing teaches you about all things
and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—
just as it has taught you, remain in him.

And now, dear children, continue in him,
so that when he appears we may be confident
and unashamed before him at his coming.
(1 John 2:20, 24-28)