Editorial October 4, 1975 Issue

Family Prayers

Peter J. Henniker-Heaton

One of the concepts greatly in need of redemption today is that of family. Those within a family too often want out; too many without a family feel deprived and want in. Others want nothing to do with family at all—like a student I recently gave a ride to on a rainy day. "I never thought you'd do this for me," he said. "You look a sort of family man." Obviously in his book a family was something you expected nothing from.

Problems of family are not new. Whether for the individual trying to resolve them for his own good or for the social worker trying to resolve them for the benefit of society. A clue to their solution is to be found in the Bible in one of the psalms: "God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains."^{ Ps. 68:6;}

In this verse is the key both to inclusion in family affections and freedom from family enslavement; this key is a right understanding of God and of our relationship to Him. It may seem strange this comforting assurance is embedded in one of the great Old Testament battle hymns; but perhaps this is a measure of its importance.

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