to the Lord. We are then confident that all is in His hands. Early hours fo r business or a job before school may make it difficult fo r us to have our daily devo tions in the mornings. Then we try to arrange it fo r dinner time. Having it in the evening has the special prob lems o f telephone calls and visitors. In our home we have the following rules that fairly well handle the interruptions. The telephone is disconnected fo r the few moments. Or we can leave it on, but not answer it during family devotions however per sistently it rings. I f someone comes to the house, he is invited either to join us in our worship or asked to wait in the living room until our devotions are finished. When the children are older we sometimes find the best time is the moments just before retiring. Whatever the period fixed, we stick to it whatever the hindrances to family worship that may arise. We have found that the same spot as well as the same time is an advantage. The place then comes to have sacred and hallowed memories that strengthen our Christian life. Whatever the exact form o f our devotions, we find it best if we plan ahead fo r at least a week. This cuts out anything haphazard and makes the most profitable use o f our devotional period. PREPARAT ION A moment’s silence makes a good start. One or two members o f the family may have rushed to the table and are feeling a little disturbed. In the silent moment we can make true preparation for the service o f worship we are to share as it gives us better powers o f concentration. It also helps us to have a right approach to God, having an atti tude that is quiet and reverent. The rush and bustle o f life during the day will not overcome us because we have had peace and serenity in the morning. (In the evening it will give peace and serenity after life’s feverish rush and so prepare us fo r the evening and restful sleep.) Then we have a brief act o f worship as we think who God is and acknowledge His greatness and glory. Turning to the Bible we read a short chapter or a section from a long one. In the Old Testament there are many stories in the book o f Genesis that will interest children. In the New Testament the four Gospels as they relate our Lord’s words and works have many incidents that attract young people’s attention. They often find a modern ver sion helpful. As the children become teenagers, such practi cal books o f the Bible as Proverbs and James are included in the reading plan. A little later we add the great devotional chapters such as Isaiah 53 and I Corinthians 13. Certain Psalms also are in cluded as they are rich in devotional content and are much suited to family worship.
When the Bible has been read, the leader o f the worship explains any difficult parts o f the passage and applies its lessons. On some occasions he also asks questions to stir up the child’s interest. This will also make the memory more retentive both in adults and children. The repeating o f short passages that have been memorized can be done here. When we are young we enjoy doing this and what is learned then is not so easily forgotten as what we try to learn in middle life. PRAYER Prayer then follows. Bible reading in which God speaks to us naturally leads us to prayer when we speak to God. The petitions are concentrated on one objective, except where two are equally urgent. The more concentrated our praying the clearer and more helpful it will be to the children. The time spent in this prayer will not be more than two minutes when the children present are very small. Many subjects are covered in the course o f the year. These include the needs o f each member of the family whether he is at home, at business, or at school or college. Relatives and friends, especial ly those who are ill or in some other special need o f prayer, are included. Neighbors with families come in fo r our prayers. Occasionally, at least, we turn our thoughts to church and national affairs. Keeping a book in which we note our experi ences in prayer is a good plan. On one side we record the petitions (with the date on which or the periods in which they were offered). On the other we enter the date when we saw the answer to the prayer. Doubtless, some petitions do not have an im mediate answer and we have to wait'quite a time before we can make the second entry. Even so, there will be abundant reason fo r thanksgiving as we look at the many items on the second page o f our book. Thanksgiving will have a sure and happy turn. One writer relates this remarkable experience: “We learned a lesson o f thankfulness from our father one morning after a storm had wiped out virtually everything we had. A fter he had made the rounds over sodden, wasted crops and counted his loss in the bloated bodies o f farm animals, he sat down beside the table. Opening the Bible, he raised his hand in the customary attitude o f thanksgiving. For one tense moment we waited. Then we heard his voice, firm and resolute: ‘Fa ther, we thank thee that thou hast seen fit to spare our lives in this disaster.’ It is a lesson we never forgot.” PRA ISE
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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