"Fathers and mothers, however pressing your business, do not fail to gather your family around God's altar. Ask for the guardianship of holy angels in your home. Remember that your dear ones are exposed to temptations. Daily annoyances beset the path of young and old. Those who would live patient, loving, cheerful lives must pray. Only by receiving constant help from God can we gain the victory over self. MH 393.1"
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
Both passages address the theme of temptation and the need for divine help to overcome it. The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of family prayer to resist temptations, while Matthew 6:13 is a direct plea to God to lead us away from temptation and deliver us from evil. The connection is strong and relevant.
"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."
Both passages refer to the protection of angels. The EGW passage encourages asking for the guardianship of angels in the home, while Psalm 91:11 states that God will give his angels charge over us. The connection is valid and supports the idea of seeking divine protection.
"Home should be a place where cheerfulness, courtesy, and love abide; and where these graces dwell, there will abide happiness and peace. Troubles may invade, but these are the lot of humanity. Let patience, gratitude, and love keep sunshine in the heart, though the day may be ever so cloudy. In such homes angels of God abide. MH 393.2"
"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."
Both passages highlight the importance of love and positive attitudes over material wealth or comfort. The EGW passage describes a home filled with cheerfulness, courtesy, and love, while Proverbs 15:17 contrasts a simple meal with love to a rich meal with hatred. The connection is strong and reinforces the value of love and harmony in the home.
"Let the husband and wife study each other's happiness, never failing in the small courtesies and little kindly acts that cheer and brighten the life. Perfect confidence should exist between husband and wife. Together they should consider their responsibilities. Together they should work for the highest good of their children. Never should they in the presence of the children criticize each other's plans or question each other's judgment. Let the wife be careful not to make the husband's work for the children more difficult. Let the husband hold up the hands of his wife, giving her wise counsel and loving encouragement. MH 393.3"
"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."
Ephesians 5:21 speaks of mutual submission, which is directly amplified in EGW's counsel for husbands and wives to consider each other's happiness and responsibilities.
"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."
1 Peter 3:7 instructs husbands to dwell with their wives according to knowledge and honor them. EGW expands on this by providing specific examples of how husbands and wives can support and encourage each other.