Home Practices
Faith is formed through embedded practices… specific, deliberate religious activities that are firmly intertwined with the daily habits of family routines.
– Robert Wuthnow, Growing Up Religious
The Importance of Faith at Home
When households practice faith at home, everyone can grow closer to God. Research shows that children and youth whose families participate in Christian conversations, Bible reading, traditions, and prayer are more likely to claim their faith as adults. Church leaders have a special role to play in encouraging and equipping families to connect Sunday worship with life at home.
Building Faith’s “Home Practices” are do-able, adaptable, fun, and meaningful. These activities can be used by households of all shapes and sizes, including singles, friends, couples, children, teens, and parents.
Home Practices Articles
Prayer Sticks: A Holy Home Activity
Making and using prayer sticks are a simple way to create an intentional and consistent prayer practice in your home.
Blessing Children in the Home
Blessing children is a reminder of what we already know: God is present, children are loved. Parents speaking this truth with a sign is a true blessing.
Christian Birthday Prayers and Blessings
Christians have a special opportunity on a birthday. Declare God’s love, pray, give thanks for life, and bless! Birthday prayers and blessings included.
Celtic Prayers for Traveling
The ancient Celts knew something about comings and goings. Praying for travel affirms the purpose of our journey, and our hope that it will be a good one.
Household Bible Reading with Lectio Divina
Reading the Bible at home builds faith and brings households together. Lectio Divina is a simple and fun way to read and engage as a group or individual.
Reflection: A Resolve to Practice Faith at Home
Even if we sometimes feel unsure about adapting or creating family prayers, rituals, and other practices (and I don’t mind admitting that I do), it’s nice to have this concrete reminder that the way we live our everyday lives matters not just to God but to the corporate lives of even our smallest faith communities.
10 Thanksgiving Prayers and Table Graces
Looking for Thanksgiving prayers? Here are 10 traditional and contemporary prayers and table graces to use at home or church on Thanksgiving Day.
Advent Wreath Prayers at Home: 4 Options
Many Christian households light Advent wreath candles in the home. Prayers at this time can deepen spirituality and bind the household together in new ways.
Advent in a Box
Faith building resources that put joyful Advent preparation into the hands of families, wherever they are.
Christmas Eve for the Christian Household
By incorporating these traditions and rituals, you can lead your household to center of Christmas Eve: welcoming Jesus Christ as savior.
Guiding Stars: An Epiphany Activity at Home
Using cut-out stars with words like hope, generosity, and patience, household members choose a “guiding star” for the year. A special Epiphany activity.
Chalking the Door: An Epiphany Tradition
On the Epiphany of Our Lord, January 6, family and friends can gather at the main entrances to homes or apartments (nursing home quarters, extended care facility, hospital rooms), and ask God’s blessing on their dwellings and on all who live or visit there.
Ash Wednesday Bonfire at Home
Bring the household together with a fire, confess and burn sins, share marshmallows. Honor the beginning of Lent with an Ash Wednesday tradition.
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