Day 23: The Great Commission And Your Family

We will take a slightly different path today. Throughout this thirty-day challenge, you have been praying for a number of people, many of whom are not Christians or do not have a church home. For Day 23 we will focus on your family. But we will not just focus on the lost and unchurched in your family; we will focus on all your family members.

The apostle Paul wrote these words to his protégé Timothy: “If a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?” (1 Timothy 3:5). This admonition is specifically for church leaders in the context of a local congregation. But the broader application is the importance of our family in ministry. Or another way of stating it is the importance of making family our first priority of ministry.

In other words, our Great Commission ministry will not be as effective if we are neglecting our own families.

With that in mind, take time to pray for several people in your family. I will provide you a guide, but you may find yourself led in other ways to pray for your family.

PRAY FOR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE CHRISTIANS

Yes, our thirty-day challenge is largely about reaching those who are not believers in Christ. Still, it is important to pray also for our family members who are Christians. Like any Christian, they have struggles. They are attacked by the evil one. Christians have money problems, family problems, work problems, and health problems. Just because they are Christians doesn’t mean they don’t have challenges in life.

What names come to your mind immediately? Your spouse? Your parents? Your children? Your brother? Your sister?

Specifically pray for your Christian family members to be Great Commission Christians as you are striving to be. Their lives will never be complete until they obey the Lord who commands them to go into the harvest fields. Again, you may have one of your family members specifically in mind. Or there might be several you know who need some intercessory prayer.

Pray for your Christian family members.

PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT CHRISTIANS

It was one of those unforgettable celebratory moments. The story happened many years ago, but the joy is palpable today. I was pastoring a church in Florida. A couple in their mid-forties visited the church, and I asked for the opportunity to visit them in their home. I can still remember how the waterfront house stunned me with its beauty and view.

The Holy Spirit had obviously been moving in both of their lives. Such is the reason they visited our church. Such is the reason they welcomed a visit from me. It took only a few minutes for the husband to get to the point.

“Pastor,” he began. “We have all this.” He waved his hand toward the expansive water view of his home. “But we are still so empty inside. What do we need to do?”

Of course, the answer was obvious. The couple became believers in Christ that night. Then they told me about their two young adult children.

The wife spoke firmly. “We have a grown son and daughter,” she said. “I think we need to talk with them about Jesus. They need him just like we do.”

I smiled. These two had been Christians for only about ten minutes and they were ready to share their faith with their children.

About two weeks later, the wife called me with breathless excitement. She and her husband had told their adult children what Christ had done for them, and both kids had become followers of Christ! It was absolutely amazing. Shortly thereafter, I baptized four people all from the same family. It was one of those moments in life and ministry I will never forget.

Do you have family members who are not Christians? Without question, it is a burden you carry. You undoubtedly have been praying for them for some time. Though I don’t know you personally, I join you in praying for them right now.

PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH DIFFICULTIES

Like you, I’ve had a number of challenges in life. But I hurt the most when one of my family members goes through challenges. When my wife had cancer. When one of my sons lost his job. When my youngest son lost his son. When my children or grandchildren have had challenges. I hurt the most when they hurt.

You may have family members going through pain and heartache right now. If not now, you have seen them walk paths of struggles in the past.

Think of your family members going through struggles. You probably don’t have to think too hard.

Pray for them. You love them. And God does too.

PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE DIFFICULT

Not only do family members go through difficulties, but they can also be difficult themselves. My wife and I ministered to and prayed for a woman who had continuous difficulties with her family. Her father had abandoned her at a young age. Her mother was constantly critical of her both as a child and as an adult. Her first marriage was to an abusive husband.

And though her second husband is a godly man who loves and respects his wife, our friend still deals with the aftermath of her first horrendous marriage. Her children from the first marriage carry a lot of resentment, and they often take it out on our friend. And one of her children has already been in a bad marriage herself—now divorced and fighting custody issues.

We pray for her because we know her family pain causes a deep pain for her. You might be dealing with difficult family members. Perhaps you are not reconciled to a family member despite your best, prayerful efforts.

Pray for those family members who are distant from you. Pray for them even when they take out their problems on you.

PRAY FOR YOURSELF AS A FAMILY MEMBER

You can only become an effective Great Commission family member if you show the love of Christ in your relationships. I watched my late father live out his faith with family members, many of whom were difficult and presented great challenges. I saw him love a sibling who was not kind to him. I saw him take care of his alcoholic father, who seemed perpetually in a drunken state. I saw him love my mother unconditionally with a total servant spirit.

And I saw him love me despite my rebellious youth years. I saw him stand by me when I was suspended from high school. He never excused my actions, but he never wavered in his love and support for me.

I guess my dad was one of the most powerful Great Commission Christians I have ever known, primarily because he demonstrated that love to his family again and again.

Though I was led to Christ by my high school football coach, I really think my greatest influence was my dad. In my earthly father I clearly saw my heavenly Father.

Like my dad, I pray I can be a Great Commission Christian to my family members.

Would you join me in that prayer for yourself?