In 1949 Baylus Benjamin McKinney (1886-1952) published the song, God Give Us Christian Homes. The first stanza reads as follows: “God, give us Christian homes! Homes where the Bible is loved and taught, homes where the Master’s will is sought, homes crowned with beauty that love hath wrought; God, give us Christian homes.” The following three stanzas poetically praise the value of godly fathers, mothers and children respectively. Written as a prayer, the song voices the profound importance of Christian homes, and respectfully asks God to give us more of them.
It has been truly observed that “as the home goes, so goes the nation.” The same may be said with respect to the church. Strong churches are composed of strong, Christian homes. No country, nor any congregation, can long endure without strong homes and families, built upon God’s principles, and committed to practicing his word. The farther we drift from God’s design and expectations for the home, the greater will be our problems of social unrest, crime and delinquency, dysfunctional relationships with their related mental health issues, and, ultimately, the demise of a once-great nation or congregation.
I wonder just how much we are praying for and otherwise supporting Christian homes. We all know that the traditional family, as ordained and described in the Bible, is under vicious attack in this country. Despite the biblical command that marriage be “had in honor among all” (Heb. 13:4), there are social forces and change agents in our nation whose agenda includes the outright destruction of marriage as it has existed for centuries. Such an agenda does not bode well for the healthy, flourishing future of our people. Rather than standing by and watching or allowing our homes to deteriorate, may I suggest that we regularly pray for our homes, and work diligently to support and strengthen them. This can be done in many ways, some of which may be long overdue.
Pray for Christian Families. Pray that husbands fervently and sacrificially love their wives; that they provide lovingly for their children, and that they raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Pray that husbands and wives be faithful to each other, and morally pure; that they work diligently at loving and supporting each other, and making their marriage strong. Pray that Christian spouses spend more quality time with each other, and time with their children; and that the children grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The second stanza of the aforementioned song focuses on fathers: “God give us Christian homes! Homes where the father is true and strong, Homes that are free from the blight of wrong, Homes that are joyous with love and song; God give us Christian homes.” Fathers are the spiritual heads of the household, (Col. 3:18-19), and, as such, they need our prayers for strength, and that they may set a godly example in that challenging task.
Likewise, mothers are addressed in the song: “God give us Christian homes! Homes where the mother, in caring quest, Strives to show others Your way is best, Homes where the Lord is an honoured guest; God give us Christian homes.” Godly wives and mothers are described in detail in Prov. 31:10-31. They are masters at hospitality, compassion, emotional support, and spiritual tone-setting.
Children are also a cherished part of many Christian homes, and they desperately need our prayers. Pray that they will grow like Jesus grew, in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God and man, (Lk. 2:52). Pray that they will be dearly loved and appreciated, never abused or neglected. As the song says, “God give us Christian homes! Homes where the children are led to know Christ in His beauty who loves them so, Homes where the altar fires burn and glow; God give us Christian homes.”
Support Christian Families. Support them in every way—including financially, if you are able. Tell them you appreciate them, and encourage their efforts. Give them your extra supplies, tools, equipment, household goods, and maybe a meal at a restaurant. Invite them into your home, and be a friend to them in every way. Remember, God helps Christian homes through the kindness and generosity of other Christians. God give us Christian homes!
-by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
God, Give Us Christian Homes