The Power of a Peaceful Household

Even as I type this article, the sleet is falling outside, the fire place is crackling inside, Christmas lights are twinkling everywhere, and my children are talking and laughing. It is not simply because it is that time of year again; instead, it is the peace that only the grace of God can bring.

I’m ashamed to confess that I am not the most compassionate person. “Suck it up,” has been an athletic-birthed statement for years, embedded in my psyche and personality. (Yes, my wife hates it!) Having said that, my heart aches at the knowledge of the thousands upon thousands of children who are dragged outside into the cold winter air every day, so Dad and Mom can rush to work in order to catch that elusive American dream. I gratefully reminisce of the many instances when I would come into our house on these same frigid mornings and see my wife in a rocking chair in front of the picture window, reading a book to a blanketed child with a glowing fire serving as a sentimental backdrop. That, my friends, is peace regardless of the season.

Industrialist magnate Andrew Carnegie said:

My mother was always looking to home influences as the best means of keeping her two boys in the right path. She used to say that the first step in this direction was to make home pleasant;

When children are nurtured in the soil of “a peace that passeth understanding” (Phil 4:6) that are able to accomplish things that passeth their present level of maturity and intellect for it is peace of God that anchors the soul with a solid foundation that gives them the courage to soar upon the winds of invention, creativity, and opportunity. In those God-ordained moments, it isn’t the right curriculum, cooperative activity, or field trip that empowers our children to walk through the cracked door; it is a conviction born of peace that whispers, “Even if we fall, we will arise.” (Micah 7:8) I have an all-powerful God and people who love and support me.

The challenge for parents is to grow a peaceful home whose waves continue to splash against the shores of our children’s hearts, refreshing them with each secure whitecap. It is to establish a lifestyle that is conducive and consistent with each home’s values, financial ability, and adherence to God’s Word instead of flirting with the world’s systems, the expectations of others, or even competition with other homeschooling households. The goal is to continue striving in an existence of repentance that daily brings us into an increased likeness to the image of God.

The power of a peaceful home is beyond its weight in gold, yet its immediate manifestation is so unassuming that it is easily minimized. If you go to a home and you sense something is different, something sweet and inviting, it is not the Yankee Candle burning on the table or the tasteful décor; it is the essence of peace. It manifests in how a child responds to a parent and how siblings interact with each other. Where there is an absence of harsh looks, rolling eyes, and sharp comments, peace is at the heart of that home. This is something for which we should all strive.

Not only are we less than a month away from Christmas, we are quickly approaching the half way point in the typical school year. Rather than grading spelling tests and math exercises, perhaps we should take a look at the level of peace in our home and give a corresponding grade. What is the mood in our homes in the mornings? The evenings? What tones are resonating between parent and child as well as sibling to sibling? Is dinner time full of lively discussion or individual perusal on social media? If we are not happy with our grade, like our children’s schoolwork, we can improve.

At this, the most wonderful time of the year, let us seek the face of God for His peace to saturate our homeschooling experience all year long. While there is an endless list of statistics on how peace enhances learning, most of us don’t need to know these figures because we intuitively know the power that peace can have on a household.

This month’s prayer and fast list is the final one for this year. I want to express my personal gratitude for those who have been faithful in praying. This has been one of the most challenging years we have had for some time, especially because of HB2827. God has given us victory on every side. We give Him the honor and praise. I fully believe on judgment day many of the well-known personalities of Christendom will run to the front of the line, only to be told to hold the door open for the many self-effacing dads and moms who quietly prayed and raised their families in a spirit of home discipleship.

For those who would like to join the ICHE 2026 prayer team, you can reach out to me at ksmith@iche.org. This usually involves one day of some type of self-appointed fast as well as praying throughout the month, as needs arrive. Merry Christmas and to God be the glory.

1. Although this may seem elementary, pray that all homeschoolers will be genuinely saved and know that peace comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
   1. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. –Romans 5:1
   2. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility–Eph. 2:14

2. Pray that God would enable us with His grace to choose lifestyles that would add peace to our home and not detract from it in anyway.
   1. If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” – Ex. 18:23
   2. Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. –Ps. 119:165

3. Pray that there would be a supernatural peace between parents and children and siblings as well.
   1. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. –Gen. 37:4
   2. You shall know that your tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. –Job 5:24

4. Pray for healthy marriages which is foundational to peace in a home.
   1. and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. –Mark 10:8
   2. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. –Eph. 5:33

5. Pray that our homes will be in peace, regardless of what is happening in the world.
   1. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. –John 14:27
   2. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” –John 16:33

6. Pray that our homes and relationships will be built on forgiveness and mercy, without which there can be no peace.
   1. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. –Matt. 5:7
   2. “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, –Zech. 7:9

7. Pray that in every situation we find ourselves in, good or bad, that the peace of God will reign supreme.
   1. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.. –Phil. 4:7
   2. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. –2 Thes. 3:16

8. Since peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit, pray that we all will be filled and refilled with the Spirit of God.
   1. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. –Gal. 5:22,23
   2. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. –Romans 14:17

9. Pray that God would send us multiplied waves of peace in our everyday life.
   1. May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. –2 Peter 1:2
   2. according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. –1 Peter 1:2

10. Pray for peace to be our trademark, understanding that sometimes the sword goes before peace. We are not peace at all cost, but our heart is always seeking peace with others.
    1. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. –Romans 12:18
    2. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. –James 3:17
    3. And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. –1 Samuel 25:6

11. Pray that we would have peace with our government and legislators in the 2026 session.
    1. bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. –Luke 6:28
    2. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ² for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ³ This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, –1 Timothy 2:1-3