By Marife M. Palima

In a flash, the chaos altered our lives. CoViD19 is here. Unexpected and unwelcome. We're shaken and disturbed. We scramble to figure things out. We think of effective ways to keep our families safe and secure. Stock up on supplies. Maintain proper hygiene. Stay indoors. Social Distancing. These and more have become significant parts of household lingo. The list could go on and on. Do you feel your heartbeat racing?

Breathe and remember that now is an opportune time to gather as a family. Let us kneel down in this lockdown.

Recognize that "God reigns over the nations. God sits on His holy throne." (Psalm 46:7-8)

"Be silent before the LORD, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling." (Zechariah 2:13, NLT)

I invite you to join me in this call for families to pray and fight the surmounting battles around us on our knees. This too is an active response. I call it #AngatAngkan.

"Angat" in Filipino means to lift, to raise something; to rise, to progress, to get lifted.

"Angkan" means family, lineage.

So "Angat Angkan" is a call for families to look to God and to lift up our eyes, our hands and our hearts to where help truly comes from- to Him, the Maker of heaven and earth.

It's a call for families to lift each other up in prayer. It's an invitation to look outside the walls of our own homes and lift up the concerns and burdens of others in prayer. "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal6:2)

Because in our abiding in Christ, and with His Word abiding in us, the Almighty Father hears our prayers.

Alysse Elhage of the Institute of Family Studies said, "We tend to think of prayer, and rightly so, as communion with God, with the spiritual connection and benefits it entails. But when we pray with other people—especially with our spouse, parents, or children—it can also be a special form of communion with one another. While it’s difficult, if not impossible, to measure the spiritual effects of prayer, research continues to reveal the powerful benefits for individuals, couples, and even entire families." (Taken from the article, "The Power of Prayer for Families")

This guide has four parts.

1. Praise to declare- points us to who God is

2. Prayer focus- is a list of specific items to pray for

3. Promise to claim- we find hope in the unchanging promises of God

4. AngatAngkan Practices- are simple suggestions that your family can do for others and for one another.

So, find your favorite spot in your home, gather around, hold hands, lift up your eyes to the Lord, and lift up families in prayer.

#AngatAngkan begins now!