Calling all dads!  This week, as you’re doing the Home Lesson on prayer, would be the perfect time for you to lead your family prayer time.  Whether you’re an old pro who’s completely comfortable praying with anybody at any time or any place, or you’ve never prayed aloud before in your life, praying with your children will make an impression on them like no other prayer will.

A super easy way to start is to simply make the Sign of the Cross and read this month’s memory prayer aloud.  (You can find it on the inside cover of this month’s Home Lessons.)  If you’d like to expand on that, you might want to thank God for being there with you and ask Him to bless your time together.  Amen.

And really, that’s enough.  You don’t have to be eloquent, or profound, or even competent.  All God is asking is that you take tiny steps to open a door and allow Him to work.  I know from personal experience that when you first start praying aloud it’s intimidating.  You want to sound great and you know you probably don’t.  Maybe you feel like a bit of a hypocrite because your family is keenly aware of your shortcomings.  Maybe you’re not even sure God will listen to you.  Wherever you are beginning though, God has a tender affection for your humility, He can shine light on your doubt, and He rejoices in the seed of faith you show with even the simplest prayer.