A Family set apart for God
Your family is a gift—no matter what it looks like right now. You might be happily married, raising your children together, or maybe marriage has been tough. Perhaps you’re walking the road of single parenting after divorce or navigating the beauty and challenges of a blended family. Whatever your journey, there is hope.
"A family set apart by God" - how does this phrase resonate with you? What stirs in your heart?
Take a moment. Be honest. Invite the Holy Spirit in. Let Him reveal what you're holding.
Does it fill you with joy and excitement? Or are you frustrated because your spouse isn't on the same page? Maybe it feels hard to raise your children alone, and it doesn't look like the family you once imagined. Facing the dynamics of a blended family is complicated - bringing together children from different parents, unique expectations, and a mix of backgrounds.
Whatever you’re feeling, God sees it. And He longs to be a part of your family—not just in the big moments but in the everyday struggles, the unseen tears, and the deep desires of your heart.
Grieving the ideal is part of your journey. We often try to brush it aside—who has time to process disappointment? But when it sneaks up on us in unexpected moments—frustration turning into gossip or impatience flaring up on a chaotic day—it reveals something deeper.
We grieve the loss of loved ones, but have you ever grieved the family you once imagined to have—the picture of what could have been?
Ask God to reveal the hidden wounds—the ones you've buried beneath the busyness of life, the ones that resurface when your toddler has a meltdown, and you're already running on empty. Suppressing them won't make them go away, but bringing them into the light and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring clarity and healing will.
Don’t let the enemy whisper the lies that you missed the opportunity to be a family set apart for God. God wants to reconcile and heal you, to make you a light in this broken world that is desperately searching for hope.
That being said, I do not want to diminish God's original design for family. From the very beginning, He established marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman, calling them to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). This command was not just about reproduction; it was a spiritual blueprint—a divine foundation for families to reflect His heart and character.
Marriage and family are not just human institutions but divine creations. Genesis 2:24 states:
"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."
This verse shows us that God’s design for family is rooted in unity, love, and faithfulness. Marriage is a covenant, not a contract, meaning it is built on commitment and divine purpose rather than personal convenience.
Why Does Family Matter So Much to God?
It Reflects His Relationship with the Church
Marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32). The way a husband and wife love, serve, and sacrifice for each other should mirror Christ’s love for His people.
It’s Where the Next Generation Is Formed
Parents are entrusted with raising children in the Lord (Proverbs 22:6), ensuring that faith is passed down from one generation to the next.
It’s a Training Ground for Holiness
Family is where we are stretched, refined, and taught to love beyond ourselves. Colossians 3:13-14 reminds us:
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
God never promised that marriage and family life would be easy, but He promised His presence in the journey. There are spiritual attacks against families because they are at the heart of God’s plan. But just as Nehemiah fought to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and told the people to fight for their families (Nehemiah 4:14), we, too, must stand firm in prayer and commitment.
What a powerful reminder to stand firm in the fight for our families. What does that look like for you in your current situation?
Ask the Holy Spirit to speak a Kairos word—one that's perfectly timed and divinely appointed—for you right now, in the midst of what you're facing and going through.
He will!!!
Now a family set apart by God has nothing to do with perfection, but it's a family that is dedicated to living according to His will, consciously seeking to honour Him in all areas of life.
The Bible often speaks of being set apart as being consecrated, different from the world, and dedicated to God’s purpose. In 1 Peter 2:9, we read:
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
A family set apart for God:
Lives by faith, not by the world’s standards (Romans 12:2)
Raises children in God’s ways (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
Makes Jesus the foundation of the home (Joshua 24:15)
Walks in love, forgiveness, and truth (Colossians 3:12-14)
How Does This Look in Daily Life?
Prioritizing God’s Word – Reading and applying Scripture in family life
Prayer-Centered Living – Seeking God’s guidance together
Faith-Filled Parenting – Discipling children instead of just raising them
Kingdom Mindset – Teaching children that their identity is in Christ, not the world
Serving Others – Living out faith through love and action
Being a set-apart family isn’t about isolation—it’s about shining as a light in the world (Matthew 5:14-16). It means choosing faith over fear, surrender over control, and holiness over comfort. It’s an invitation to walk closely with God as a family and trust Him to shape your home according to His purpose.
Each of these above topics could easily be its own blog post. But in this one, I want to focus on something foundational: A family set apart by God is a family that recognizes the presence of the Holy Spirit in each member—especially when they've made the personal decision to follow Jesus. This recognition shapes how we interact with one another, how we nurture our relationships, and how we walk in unity under His guidance.
The same Holy Spirit that dwells in you also lives in your children. Too often, though, we overlook or fail to invite our children into the process of seeking the Holy Spirit themselves. Yet, children are capable of so much—they can prophesy, hear God’s voice, heal the sick, and more. Yet in our Western society, we often believe these gifts are reserved for the "wise adults." But Scripture reminds us that we are called to become like little children in our faith. Imagine what could shift in our families if we embraced that childlike faith and acknowledged the Holy Spirit’s work in our kids.
How can you start to involve your children in the work of the Holy Spirit? It begins with inviting them into the space of prayer, from a young age. Let them hear your prayers and encourage them to pray alongside you. Teach them to listen for God’s voice, affirming their words as they speak to Him. When prophetic words arise, don’t hesitate to involve them—let them feel empowered to hear and share what God places on their hearts.
Encourage their connection with God by creating opportunities for them to participate in the mighty work of His Spirit. Let them know that healing isn't just for "adults", but something they can pray for too. Walk with them as they practise these gifts, showing them that their faith is just as valuable and powerful. When we embrace and nurture the Spirit's presence in our children, we help them grow up knowing that they're not just part of our family, but part of God's great plan - fully equipped to walk in His strength.
Guiding them on this journey from a young age is transformative.
With our two adult children and one teenager, we’ve made it a regular practice to speak prophetic words into each other’s lives. It’s especially meaningful when one of us is going through a difficult time or in need of prayer. These moments are more than just words—they're lifelines, lifting our spirits and reminding us of God's presence and His promises. We’ve created a safe, nurturing space within our family where we can share these prophetic insights openly. It’s in these moments that we not only strengthen each other’s faith, but also grow deeper in our trust of God’s leading. Over the past six years, as we moved to five different countries, our children didn’t just rely on us to hear from God—we encouraged them to seek Him for themselves. And in doing so, we found unity and confirmation as a family.
We intentionally exercise this gift of prophecy, knowing that it has the power to encourage and bring healing. The beauty of it is that we’re not doing this alone. They have the secure foundation of mom and dad overseeing and guiding this process. We watch over one another, making sure that everything spoken aligns with God's heart and brings peace, not confusion. This practice builds our connection with God and with each other, creating a deep sense of unity and trust, and showing our children, regardless of their age, that hearing God is a gift meant for everyone.
You can nurture this connection, even if you’re a single parent, or in a household where the weight of raising your children falls primarily on your shoulders. It may feel daunting, but remember that the Holy Spirit is with you, empowering you to lead, nurture, and guide your children, even in the absence of a co-parent. You don’t have to carry the burden alone, and your role as a single parent doesn’t disqualify you from cultivating a home where God’s voice is heard and His Spirit is active.
But heal from your brokenness, let us all heal. We all need it. We don't want to pass on the fractures of ourselves when He calls us to be whole.
There is hope! My mother, not a single parent but with the sole responsibility of raising us in an unequal household, took every opportunity to teach us in all her imperfection. She knew that she had the most precious time with us and she didn't want to waste it on some cheap distraction, but was eager to teach all her three children, who are walking in the ways of the Lord and have built families on the cornerstone. She calls it her greatest joy.
Never underestimate what God can do through you. Nothing is impossible!
Surrender, trust, and stay at His feet, so it may be said—this is a family set apart for Him.