Father Brakel on Family Worship

Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian's Reasonable Service, Vol. 3, pp. 464-465:

The Time of Prayer

First, the time of prayer, considered in a general sense, is every day, every opportunity -- always. Specific times of prayer are when we engage in it corporately -- be it in public gatherings, in private gatherings, or in our individual family worship which ought to be conducted in every Christian family. This ought to occur both morning and evening, and if the opportunity permits it, also at noon. At this time the father -- or if he is absent or unable to do this, the mother -- must read a chapter, speak about it, catechize children and servants, sing a psalm together, and bow and offer a prayer -- all in accordance with the ability the Lord grants each one. Joshua desired to serve the Lord with his house (Josh. 24:15), and Cornelius feared God with all his house (Acts 10:2). One must make of his home a small church, for then the Lord will bless the home. Children and servants will learn to fear the Lord and thus will experience salvation. It will beget mutual love, there will be mutual respect, restraining everyone from sin, and one will exemplify godliness to each other and follow each other in this way. We must make use of all these opportunities, and take them into consideration, both when praying and when following the example of others.