Practical Directions For Conducting Family Worship (1)

To one who is conscientiously resolved to honor God in his household, a clear conception of the duty itself, and some method in the observance of it, are indispensable.

The very first question which offers itself is: By whom is this service to be rendered? To this the name is a reply: It is family worship. All the dwellers in one house. More particularly the parents, the children, or such as occupy the children’s place, as pupils, apprentices, lodgers, guests, and sojourners.

All proper means should be used to secure the attendance of every individual engaged in the labor of the family, even if this should render it needful to sacrifice some momentary convenience in regard to meals and other arrangements. The beauty of this service depends, in no small degree, on the presence of the whole family. The reverse of this is too common; there are houses where, from sloth or irreligion, some members habitually absent themselves from the prayers. Even in boarding houses and inns, we have known the most happy effects to flow from the practice of gathering all who were under the roof at the time of worship. It is also a good usage to proceed with the accustomed devotion even though casual visitors may be present. Providence may thus be opening a door for unexpected influence.

The time for family worship demands our consideration. By common consent the Christian world has allotted to it the two seasons of morning and evening, not that there is any virtue in this number or in these seasons, but because it seems just and fit to place our acknowledgement of God at these natural terms of our working day. There have been those who have found edification in three hours of prayer: “Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice” (Ps. 55:17).

That which is most important in regard to the time of family worship, is that it should be fixed. We ascribe great value to this particular. It adds dignity to the service, by showing that it is not to give way to the changes or caprice of business or amusement. It saves the time of the household; and it tends to that method and punctuality in domestic affairs, which is a chief ornament in a Christian house.

It appears right to seek food for the soul before we seek food for the body; otherwise we lose the delightful feeling of having begun the day with God.

Morning prayer should, in our humble judgment, be early in the morning. Here there is diversity of usage, and we are not of those who would impose our own preferences on others, or invent any ceremonial yoke. But we have noted striking advantages in observing family devotion at as early an hour as the whole household can be assembled. There is a Christian decorum in resorting to God before we gather around the table of His bounty. The refreshment of food seems to acquire a blessing; “for it is sanctified by the Word of God, and prayer” (1 Tim. 4:5). It appears right to seek food for the soul before we seek food for the body; otherwise we lose the delightful feeling of having begun the day with God. The moment of repletion from a meal is of all others the least comely for a solemn approach to heaven. Moreover, by seizing an early hour, we avoid numerous interruptions, and that sense of hurry and impatience which attend the time immediately preceding the day’s business. All these reasons may, however, be controlled by considerations of health and business, and every man must be left to his own judgment. Evening prayer is, of course, the closing domestic service. Hence it has been the prevalent custom to make it the last thing before retiring for the night, and there is certainly something beautiful in the arrangement. In many houses it is the only time which can be secured. Yet it must be acknowledged that there is a practical difficulty connected with this. Family worship may be too late for those who, agreeably to our view of the subject, are principally concerned—especially children. The younger members of a family are apt to be unfit for the service, as being overcome with sleep; and it is scarcely just that they should be robbed of one half of domestic prayer, as they must be if they retire at an early hour. Even adults are often disqualified for enjoying the work of praise by the weariness consequent on a long day of toil. Hence some have thought they found an advantage in calling together the family immediately before, or immediately after, the evening meal. It is a laudable method; but, here, as in all things connected with form, we would ask and give the largest liberty, only, “Let all things be done decently, and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40).

Dr. James W. Alexander (1804-1859), eldest son of the renowned Archibald Alexander, wrote many volumes on practical Christian themes, including Plain Words to a Young Communicant (1854) and Thoughts on Preaching (1864). This article is drawn from his Thoughts on Family Worship (1847).

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