One of the greatest blessings of life is a Christian home. It is a source of strength and help for all of life. An essential ingredient in a Christian home is a family altar. You cannot have a Christian home in the fullest sense of the word without it.
What is a family altar? It is not a piece of furniture or a place. It is an event. It is a time when the family joins together for worship in the home.
It is the duty of Christian parents to see that their children are raised in the “discipline and teachings of the Lord.” This is too vital to be left to chance. A time for daily worship in the home helps to do this.
Maintaining family worship is no easy task. At least three things are necessary.
1. Determination. Someone must believe that it is important and be determined that it will be maintained. There will be obstacles, hindrances, and interferences. Only grim determination can keep it going.
2. Preparation. A time must be selected and nothing permitted to interfere with it. Materials such as the Bible and devotional guides must be gathered and kept in a special place for ready use.
3. Imagination. Though Bible reading and prayer should form the nucleus of family worship, there should be variations. Sometimes the family may wish to repeat in unison the Lord’s Prayer or the 23rd Psalm. They may wish to join hands and sing one of the great hymns of faith.
Make family worship a priority and see what changes at home come as a result.