Spiritual Influence in the Home
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children about them before the fast is broken, to thank the heavenly
Father for His protection during the night, and to ask Him for His help
and guidance and watchcare during the day! How fitting, also, when
evening comes, for parents and children to gather once more before
Him and thank Him for the blessings of the day that is past!
Each morning consecrate yourselves and your children to God for
that day. Make no calculation for months or years; these are not yours.
One brief day is given you. As if it were your last on earth, work
during its hours for the Master. Lay all your plans before God, to
be carried out or given up, as His providence shall indicate. Accept
His plans instead of your own, even though their acceptance requires
the abandonment of cherished projects. Thus the life will be molded
more and more after the divine example; and the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7
.
The father, or, in his absence, the mother, should conduct the
worship, selecting a portion of Scripture that is interesting and easily
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understood. The service should be short. When a long chapter is read
and a long prayer offered, the service is made wearisome, and at its
close a sense of relief is felt. God is dishonored when the hour of
worship is made dry and irksome, when it is so tedious, so lacking in
interest, that the children dread it
Fathers and mothers, make the hour of worship intensely interest-
ing. There is no reason why this hour should not be the most pleasant
and enjoyable of the day. A little thought given to preparation for it
will enable you to make it full of interest and profit. From time to
time let the service be varied. Questions may be asked on the portion
of Scripture read, and a few earnest, timely remarks may be made.
A song of praise may be sung. The prayer offered should be short
and pointed. In simple, earnest words let the one who leads in prayer
praise God for His goodness and ask Him for help. As circumstances
permit, let the children join in the reading and the prayer.
Eternity alone will reveal the good with which such seasons of
worship are fraught
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Testimonies for the Church 7:42-44