JENNIFER FLANDERSFamily Matters

Our family has moved many times over the years, and we cover the entire process with prayer every time. And when we built a house from the ground up back in 2003, we built it on our knees.

Every step of the way, we prayed God would make our home a light on the hill. That His love would shine from the heart of every member of our family out through every window and door, in every interaction with houseguests and neighbors.

Knowing that “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”(Psalm 127:1), we prayed for His blessing when the foundations were laid. We wrote verses of Scripture on the studs when our house was framed. We committed it to the Lord as the finishing touches were applied. And we relied on God’s abundant provision of strength and energy when the time finally came to move in.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

We’ve prayed these same prayers over every home we’ve ever lived in, before or since. Big or small. Near or far. Owning, renting or assigned by the Army.

I’ve shared the gist of these prayers below. If you’d like to pray for God’s blessing on your own home, our H-O-U-S-E acrostic is as good a place as any to start:

Lord, we lift up this house and all the people who live in it. We ask You to pour out Your richest blessings upon this place and make it:

• Happy and Humble — We pray You would satisfy the inhabitants of this house with Your unfailing love and unending joy. Keep them close as they draw near to You in humility. Fill the rooms of this home with every good and perfect gift. (Psalm 90:14; James 4:8, 1:7; Proverbs 24:4)

• Open to Others — May guests in this house feel warm and welcome. Bless the family members as they extend hospitality, serving others in love. Help them do the necessary work cheerfully & unto the Lord, as if entertaining angels. (1 Peter 4:9-10; Colossians 3:23; Hebrews 13:2)

• Understanding and Uplifting — Crown all who live in this home with wisdom and an uncommon depth of understanding. May the speech heard between these walls lift all eyes to You. May Your name be honored and glorified in every thought, word and deed. (Job 28:28; James 1:5; Proverbs 9:10; 1 Corinthians 10:31)

• Safe and Secure — Lord, we know that unless You guard this house, the guards stand watch in vain. So we pray You would fortify its inhabitants against every threat, both from within and without. Build a hedge of protection around them and keep them in Your loving care. (Psalm 127:1, 64:1-5)

• Encouraging to Everyone — Make this home a refuge of peace. May everybody who spends time here come away feeling refreshed and built up. May their hearts be equipped and encouraged. Renew their strength so that, both collectively and individually, they may run with endurance the race you’ve set before them. (Isaiah 32:18, 40:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 12:1)

I hope you’ll remember and use this acrostic prayer. And may the Lord Jesus Christ bless your home and every person in it with all the riches of His grace!

Jennifer Flanders is a firm believer in the power of prayer. For a free printable copy of this prayer guide, visit https://lovinglifeathome.com.