You have set your heart on a good thing when you pray for the love of Christ to bind your family together. It is no small thing to bring before the throne, a household knit fast in Him, each one forgiving as you have been forgiven, walking in lowliness of mind and bearing with one another in love. That is a picture of heaven let down to earth, and you need never doubt that it pleases the Lord to see you ask for it. In truth, the Son of God Himself prayed for this very unity on the night He was betrayed, asking that they all might be one, even as He and the Father are one. He has not ceased to press that petition now that He sits at the Father’s right hand. So your plea rides upon the current of His own intercession, and you may be sure it is heard.
You long to see every heart in your home directed into the love of God. That is the sort of work only the Holy Spirit can do, for the heart is like the helm of a ship, when His hand lies upon it, the whole vessel answers the rudder and holds a straight course. He can turn the affections of a household when you commit the way to Him with a quiet confidence. Put away the thought that you must forge the chain yourself. The links are of better metal than our resolutions. The Lord must do it, and He will.
Look at the cross, that winter tree where our Lord bore the bitter cold of the world’s sin, and see how He bled for your offenses and for the offenses of those you live beside. Two debtors owed what they could never pay; the one owed more and the other less, but they were alike bankrupt. The creditor freely forgave them both. That is how it stands in a family of forgiven sinners. No one stands above another; all have been pardoned a debt they could never begin to discharge. How then could any of you hold a grudge? All your little grievances are swallowed up in that ocean of mercy. Every morning, look to Jesus, and let His forgiving love set the tone of your home.
You know how a tender parent will call a child by many names, each one an echo of some private memory of fondness. So the Lord calls His own both Jacob and Israel: Jacob, the name that remembers all the crooked, struggling nature; and Israel, the name of a prince who has prevailed with God. He knows every soul in your house by names such as these, and He is dealing with each heart with a personal, marvelous kindness. Be of good courage, then, even for the one who seems far off. He who brought you to life can quicken them also. The least mercy from His hand is a miracle, and He loves to show the extravagances of His grace.
Let your own soul settle into the sweet assurance of which the apostle Paul spoke: “He loved me, and gave Himself for me.” That is ground firm enough for any foot. And when each member of a family can say that from the heart, they find themselves already one, welded together by a life that is hid with Christ in God. Their common property is in Him; all His is theirs, and they share it together.
So do not fret over the work. Commit your husband, your wife, your children, your parents into the hands of Him who holds the seven stars and walks among the golden candlesticks. He knows how to direct hearts because He made them, He bought them, and He indwells them. The same love that abounds toward every saint will produce its own harvest of patience, humility, and kindness in the field of your family.
Father, direct this dear household into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ. Let Thy children be so rooted in the Tree of Life that His fruit is their daily sustenance. Where there has been winter, cause buds of hope to appear, and bring on a full summer of joy. Bind them together with cords that cannot be broken, even the tender mercies of the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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