Daily Family Worship 2026

This is the day, and this is the year.

It's January 1. The first day of a new year.

Husbands and fathers: it's time to start the most important duty you can perform for your household.
And men who aspire to be husbands and fathers, get this started now, privately.

The encouraging news is: you can start today. You have everything you need, already.

It takes very little preparation.

What it does require is commitment. Dedication. Resolve. The will to persevere, day in and day out.

But isn't this the time of year when virtually everyone, maybe even you, have made "new year's resolutions"?

Resolve this: DAILY FAMILY WORSHIP.

Let 2026 be the year you finally commit to worship God as a family, every day.

WORSHIP?

"God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and truth; as in private families daily" (WCF 21.6)

Now, I understand you may not understand the word "worship" as I intend it. I wouldn't have either, years ago.

Worship does not equal music. It doesn't mean instruments. Don't get upset thinking I'm telling you that you must play guitar for your family every day.

I mean the basic elements of worship: Word and prayer.

You also might be immediately intimidated by a thought of family worship.
"Do I have to teach the Bible?"
"Do I need to do what my pastor does, for my family?"
"Do I need to prepare a Bible study for several hours?"
"And EVERY DAY??"

No. Relax. Take a breath.

This isn't public worship, it's family worship. It's not a church service, and you probably are not a preacher, and that duty is not required of you in the household setting.

Any man, regardless of capacity or education, is able lead their family in worship, every day.
"But what if he's mute??"
You probably are not, yes?
"But what if he cannot read?"
Well, if you can read this, then I'm writing to you...
The family member who can read should, until the man learns.

Now let's accept the rules, and leave exceptions for another time.
Rise to the challenge, instead of looking for a way out.

Families must worship God, not only publicly when gathered with the church, but privately as families, daily.

Richard Baxter argues:
"If men must pray every where (that is convenient) then sure in their families.... 2. If men must pray without ceasing, then sure in their families. 3. If men must in every thing give thanks, then sure in family mercies, and then, according to the nature of them, together. 4. If men must continue in prayer and watch in it (for fit advantages and against impediments), and in thanksgiving, then doubtless they must not omit the singular advantages which are administered in families."
Further: "If rulers of families are bound to teach their families to pray, then are they bound to pray with them:"

PARTS OF FAMILY WORSHIP

What is it, then? What are the parts of family worship?

There are 4 parts: praying, singing, reading, talking.
• Prayer and praises performed. Pray for your family, for each member, as well as the church and state.
• Praises—sing the Psalms together. You don't have to be a musical person to learn how. Simply doing it every day will work. A free Psalter is linked below.
• Reading of the scriptures, with catechising in a plain way. Simply read the Bible, a whole chapter. Ask your family after for one thing they remember from the reading. The whole family will be better equipped to listen and understand the reading and preaching of the Word in public worship.
• Godly conversation. Talk about the Word. And as the head of the home, the husband and father may correct and rebuke when justified by the Bible reading.

How can your conversation be productive? Look for correction, judgment, duty, and comfort.
"As, for example, if any sin be reproved in the word read, use may be made thereof to make all the family circumspect and watchful against the same;
or if any judgment be threatened, or mentioned to have been inflicted, in that portion of scripture which is read, use may be made to make all the family fear lest the same or a worse judgment befall them, unless they beware of the sin that procured it:
and, finally, if any duty be required, or comfort held forth in a promise, use may be made to stir up themselves to employ Christ for strength to enable them for doing the commanded duty, and to apply the offered comfort.
In all which the master of the family is to have the chief hand; and any member of the family may propone a question or doubt for resolution." (Directory for Family Worship)

That's all you need to start. Praying, singing, reading, talking.

You still might assume an overwhelming burden of time.
I assure you, it can be as brief as 10–15 minutes. That's all!
That's a good deal, for the benefits you will see after months and years of consistency.

YES, EVERY DAY

Family worship is to be done DAILY.

It's that important, and the consistency is necessary.

I'll use only one (of many) reasons to persuade you: the salvation of your household.
"By a faithful observance of family worship, you will be employing a daily means towards the eternal salvation of your household. It is scarcely possible to think of this without some impression. The everlasting damnation of your own offspring is a catastrophe so awful, that no single instrumentality, which promises to avert it, should be omitted. . . we know no means which tend more directly to this end, than domestic worship, and the duties to which it leads. Are you willing to hazard so great a neglect?" (J.W. Alexander)

Many Christians complain and lament over the moral degeneracy of society. The lack of reverence for God. Even of Christians and their biblical ignorance. The lack of decorum in public worship. The corruption of the church. The tragedy of children growing up going to church, then abandoning the Christian faith once they reach adulthood.

What if you could do something about it?
What if God had already provides means to avert this crisis?
He has.

"Who ever used these duties seriously, and found not the benefits? What families be they, in which grace and heavenly-mindedness prosper, but those that use these duties?" (Baxter)

MAKE THE TIME AND COMMIT

This year, commit yourself to daily family worship. For your sake, and your children.

"But I'm too tired at night."
"But I work graveyard shift."
"But we are too busy."

Excuses are infinite. There are other duties. I know that the spirit may be willing, but the flesh is weak.

Despite how “busy” everyone brags about, they still play games. They scroll mindlessly. We all spend valuable time on lesser things.

Move things around. Rearrange your activities. Maybe eliminate something from your schedule. If everyone is exhausted in the evening, then do it in the morning. If you can’t find even 10 minutes for family worship, I’m not buying it.

Make it happen. Make the time. Use your imagination to work it out.

We make time for what we value.
• Do you value God himself?
• Do you value worship?
• Do you value your household and their salvation?
• Do you value their growth in grace?

Men: if you value your place as a husband, father—now or future—then you will take charge and implement daily family worship. God has given you authority—it is time to use it for His glory and your family's good.

No more excuses.
No more blaming God's providence.
Don't act like you have no choice or ability.
Stop playing the victim.
Don't decide that it's no use before you even begin.
Stop believing you cannot learn without even trying.

Ask God for grace, then get to it.

Families, every member of the household together, must worship God every day.
• If you are not yet married, you must worship God privately.
• Perhaps you are the only Christian in your home, but not the head. Lead any of your family members who are willing to join you.
• Ladies, perhaps you are the head of your home, having no husband. You must do this until circumstances change.
• Even if you happen to be physically separate from your family today, make that video call and do it.

DO NOT DELAY. DON'T PUT IT OFF ANY LONGER.

Start today. Start this evening.

Maybe right after your last meal of the day. Maybe right before bedtime. Get your wife and your kids together.
Grab your Bible. Pray. Sing. Read. Talk.

And do it trusting in the God who sanctifies households.

In the comments are linked some resources to help.
This simplest guide and outline is by the Westminster Assembly, Directory for Family Worship (1647).
A free Psalter is also linked for your singing.

There are many more resources and helps for family worship.
You can upgrade later.
The important thing now is that you START.
Do not put off your duty under the excuse that you want more tools to use.

LINKS:

The Directory for Family Worship (DFW)
https://thewestminsterstandard.org/directory-for-family-worship/

1650 Psalter
Online: https://thewestminsterstandard.org/1650-scottish-metrical-psalter/
Splitleaf: https://psalterapp.com/split.html?tuneData=%5B%5D&psalm=Psalm%201&tune=crimondfcc
Apple app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/1650-split-leaf-psalter/id1198280376
Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.charisdevelopment.thesixteenfiftytwo&hl=en-US&pli=1

Westminster Shorter Catechism: https://thewestminsterstandard.org/westminster-shorter-catechism/
Westminster Larger Catechism: https://thewestminsterstandard.org/westminster-larger-catechism/
Ebook: https://www.monergism.com/westminster-confession-faith-edinburgh-edition-ebook

'An Earnest Call to Family Religion: A Discourse Concerning Family Worship' by Samuel Slater
https://www.monergism.com/earnest-call-family-religion-ebook