The advantages and blessings of family worship

(Arthur Pink)

An old writer well said, "A family without prayer is like a house without a roof-open and exposed to all storms." All our domestic comforts and temporal mercies issue from the loving-kindness of the Lord. The best we can do in return is to gratefully acknowledge His goodness to us as a family.

Family worship should be conducted reverently, earnestly and simply. It is then that the little ones will receive their first impressions and form their initial conceptions of the Lord God. Great care needs to be taken lest a false idea be given to them of the Divine Character. For this, the balance must be preserved between dwelling upon . . .
  His holiness, and His mercy,
  His power, and His tenderness,
  His justice, and His grace.

Worship should begin with a few words of prayer invoking God's presence and blessing.
A short passage from His Word should follow, with brief comments thereon.
Two or three verses of a Psalm or hymn may be sung.
Close with a prayer of committal into the hands of God. Though we may not be able to pray eloquently, we should pray earnestly. Prevailing prayers are usually brief ones. Beware of wearying the young ones.
 
The advantages and blessings of family worship are incalculable. Family worship . . . .
  will prevent much sin,
  conveys a sense of God's majesty and authority,
  sets solemn Scripture truths before the mind,
  brings down benefits from God on the home.

Personal piety in the home is a most influential means, under God, of conveying piety to the little ones.

Children are largely creatures of imitation, copying what they see in their parents-so good instructions must always be accompanied by godly example. That teaching which issues only from the lips alone, is not at all likely to sink any deeper than the ears. Children are particularly quick to detect inconsistencies, and despise hypocrisy. How Christian parents need to be constantly on their guard against anything which might render them contemptible in the eyes of those who should respect and revere them!

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:5-7