A Simple Family Prayer Time Routine for Family Dinner Time

As a Christian mom to two little girls, I am always looking for ways to incorporate more prayer into our everyday lives.  So when my pastor shared about how his family structures their dinnertime family prayer time, I was instantly intrigued!

The family prayer time routine focuses on prayer, scripture, and connection. The important thing is NOT getting it perfect – it’s spending time as a family, having fun and giving glory to God!

There are seven parts to this simple family prayer time routine, but don’t let that intimidate you.  You’re probably already doing some of these things at the dinner table… and some of them are just about having FUN!  

Again, please don’t get caught up about making this perfect.  In fact, in our family, we DON’T usually do all seven parts in one night. If all seven pieces feel like way too much, feel free to take some out or modify to make this work for YOUR family!  

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Now, without further ado, our simple dinnertime family prayer time routine:

1. Pray First

• What to Do: Open the meal with a prayer.
• Why It Matters: Centering the family in prayer sets the tone for honoring God.
• Tip: We have a few simple prayers that we rotate through saying together.  You can also let your children take the lead in prayer!

2. Gratitude

• What to Do: Each family member shares one thing they’re thankful for that day.
• Why It Matters: Fosters an attitude of gratitude and helps children recognize God’s blessings.
• Fun Idea: Keep a “gratitude jar” to write down and save these moments over time.  

3. Updates (Highs and Lows)

• What to Do: Take turns sharing the best and most challenging moments of the day.
• Why It Matters: This part is all about connection.  We get to cheer each other on and also empathize about the harder parts of the day.  This also helps to build emotional intelligence, as children spend time reflecting on the highs and lows of their day.
• Tip: Use this time to practice empathy and remind children that God is present in both joys and struggles.

4. Laughter

• What to Do: Share a joke, funny story, or silly moment from the day.
• Why It Matters: Laughter lightens the mood and strengthens family bonds. Again, we’re focusing on connection here!
• Resource: Consider keeping a joke book or Bible-themed humor book nearby for inspiration.

5. Scripture

• What to Do: Read a short Bible verse together.
• Why It Matters: Brings God’s Word into daily life and introduces scripture to children in an accessible way.
• Tip: This part might not feel easy or “pretty” at first, especially with young children – and that’s okay!  Sharing God’s Word is always valuable, even if it feels messy.

6. Application

• What to Do: Discuss how the scripture applies to your day or family life.
• Why It Matters: Encourages children to see the Bible as a guide for daily decisions.
• Question Prompts: “What does this verse teach us?” or “How can we live this out tomorrow?”

7. Fun

• What to Do: End the meal with a lighthearted activity such as a game, song, or family tradition.
• Why It Matters: Leaves everyone feeling connected and joyful, making the routine memorable.
• Activity Ideas: Create a family prayer song, play “20 Questions,” or I spy.

Conclusion

This family prayer time routine absolutely has the power to change your dinner time experience, and dare I say your family dynamics as a whole. That being said, I cannot stress enough that consistency, not perfection, is the key to building this habit. If you let yourself get caught up on perfection, you are likely to become frustrated and give up on this powerful family prayer time routine.  But if you lean into the important features of this routine – prayer, scripture, and connection – you CAN create habits that honor God and strengthen your family!

More Ideas for Incorporating Jesus into Daily Routines

Developing a family prayer time routine at dinner is just one of many ways to incorporate Jesus into your everyday habits and routines!  If you haven’t read my list of ideas for other ways to bring Jesus into your home, you’re definitely going to want to do that!

And if you’re looking for another specific way to bring Jesus into your home, be sure to check out these fun Creation story activities for kids, and read about how we used them in our home.

How do you plan to incorporate this family prayer time routine into your family’s life?  I would LOVE to hear about what’s working (and what’s not) for you!  Comment below or message me on Instagram and tell me about it so we can connect!