Today's post focuses on the prayer commitment of praying for revival in your family. I will tell you this… if walls could speak… I'd be ruined.

Too often, harsh or ill-thought words escape my mouth and I find myself quickly acquainted with regret and remorse. Whether I am frustrated with my 3 year old who has the sass of a 13 year old, or tired of chasing my baby boy around wiping up spit, slobber, and who know what else, or annoyed with my husband for forgetting to do something that he promised to do -- friends, I won't lie… my sin stinks… and these walls would have something to say about it!

Behind closed doors and in the comfort of your own home, it's easy to kick of your shoes, let your hair down, and really sink back deep into the muck that God pulled you out of. Today, I challenge you to, at all cost, avoid the notion that God doesn't see who you really are when you're in the privacy of your home. Here's the thing: as believers, as followers of Christ, and as warriors and intercessors, we've got to be above board. We are a fallen people and we will make mistakes, say things we don't mean, and mistreat even the ones we love the deepest. But the bottom line is this: we cannot rightfully pray for revival in our country (our city, town, or neighborhood even) until we've sought it out in our home and within our family.

Family is, of course, a loose term. Some of you may be experiencing great joy within your immediate family; maybe you've even experienced some recent "revival." Maybe you are struggling with an in-law or extended relative. Maybe there's some bad blood from years ago. Maybe you are the only one who has a relationship with the Lord and revival in your family really looks like full salvation for your family. If the latter is where you are praying and seeking the Lord's guidance, we're praying with you.

Today, consider the following questions and prayer prompts as you focus on revival in your family. Again, as you pray, remember that the basic nature of prayer is two-fold. 1) We pray and God listens and 2) God responds and we listen. It cannot (should not!) be any other way. So as you ask God any of the questions below, remember you are engaging in conversation with him. Don't forget to wait on the Lord.

Blessings, friends.

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1) Read the story accounted for in Joshua 24:1-27. Note any points of the story that resonate with your spirit.

2) Reread verses 14-15 and identify 3 ways in which serving the Lord as it relates to your family seems undesirable. Be honest with yourself and be honest with the Lord.

3) Move into a prayer time centered around service to the Lord by way of service to your family. Be specific as you pray. If you struggle with speaking sharply towards your children or spouse, ask the Lord to convict you and to help soften your words and your heart towards them, even during your greatest moments of weakness. If you struggle with pornography, ask the Lord to create a hedge of protection of your family that will not allow you to bring sin into your home. Ask him to identify someone who can help you in this struggle through accountability and will help you rightfully reclaim the position as spiritual head of your home. If you struggle pride, ask the Lord to constantly remind you that he does not despise a humble and contrite heart. Ask him to keep before you the fruits of his spirit and pray them in!

4) Your family knows you best. As you seek out revival in your family, recognize that it will take time. Trust may need to be rebuilt. Relationships may be so severely severed that only time and relentless prayer will heal them. God's grace is enough to cover your sin and the sin of your family… as your Heavenly Father, trust in the Lord to sustain you and the needs of your family. He will supply.