Having discussed the importance of a living family altar in our homes in part I of this teaching, I would like to go further in this write-up to examine the blessings that accrue to us when we give prayer its rightful place.
Benefits Of Family Altar
When altars were raised in the Bible in the worship of God, the glory of God descended and it commanded the miraculous. When Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal in the book of 1kings 18: 20-39, he too built an altar and called on the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Lord answered by fire and the name of the Lord was magnified. It is also written in the scriptures that:
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Mathew 18:20).
Therefore the number one benefit of the family altar is that it brings down the presence of God in your home. What a blessing! Having God’s perpetual presence should be the ultimate quest of every Christian home, because think of it; what can we do without His presence? Absolutely nothing! So when you, too, allow your family to raise an altar of worship unto the Lord, you will discover that the Prince of Peace will tabernacle in your home and you will begin to enjoy the blessings of God’s presence in a new dimension.
Read Psalm 114. I want you to take time to read this passage and you will get a clear picture of what you stand to enjoy in His presence.
I see everything that represents the sea of Jordan negatively as well as mountains and hills being driven back from your home, and every evil rock being turned into standing water before you in Jesus’ name.
You need God’s presence in your home more than anything else, so make it a habit to gather your family members and pray together regularly. The Bible says
“One shall chase a thousand and two shall put ten thousand to flight.” Deut.32:30.
Let your immediate family be your prayer partners and you will in turn enjoy the good results that accompany God’s presence.
Secondly, a regular family altar will help your children develop genuine love for God and a solid doctrinal foundation. When our children were growing up, it was a regular practice in our home to pray and share the Word of God together before they set out for school. As they were growing, they held their fellowship on their own and this became a custom, which has helped them immensely to be where they are today. There is no doubt as to whether they love the Lord or not. They are all joyfully serving the Lord in various capacities today to the glory of God.
You, too, can train your children in the way of the Lord in the same way. By the time they are grown and on their own, they would have gotten used to communing with God and acknowledging Him in all their ways.This is one very important legacy you can bequeath your children; a strong foundation of faith and love for God. In the future, even when you are not there and all kinds of temptations come their way; they will not be swept off.
In case the altar of the Lord in your home is broken down, you can repair it. The Word of God says:
“And Elijah said unto all the people, come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD [that was] broken down.” (1Kings 18:30).
Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord and God came down with fire to consume his sacrifice. I see such happening in your home too as you take steps to put the altar of worship back on its feet in your home. Do away with distractions, laziness, procrastination etc which have weakened the altar of prayer in your home. Fix the missing link and a new day will dawn on your entire family.
Take note though that the altar can only be raised by those who have a personal relationship with the Lord. Have you been born again? If not, then you need to invite Jesus into your heart in order to become a child of God.
You become a child of God by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Saviour. If you are set for this new birth experience, please say this prayer of faith: Lord Jesus, I come to You today, wash me clean from my sins, make me a new creature. Thank You Jesus for writing my name in the book of life. Now, I know that I am born again. Amen!
Congratulations! You are now born again and a child of God.
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