Family altars are not just physical places where sacrifices were once offered — they also represent spiritual patterns, covenants, and influences passed down from one generation to another. Some of these altars are godly, established through worship and obedience to God. Others are ungodly, rooted in idolatry, ancestral covenants, or demonic practices. The truth is, if an altar does not glorify God, it must be broken so that His presence and blessings can freely flow in the family.
This guide will walk you through what the Bible says about family altars, how they affect our lives, and how we can break free through prayer, repentance, and obedience to God’s Word.
Understanding Family Altars
A family altar can be both physical and spiritual. In biblical times, an altar was a visible structure where people sacrificed or dedicated something to a higher power. Today, family altars can be unseen but very real — inherited habits, recurring struggles, or even objects kept as tokens of worship that connect us to spiritual forces outside of God’s will.
Some families are blessed because of the godly altars their forefathers raised, while others struggle because of evil altars that still “speak” over their bloodline.
Biblical Examples of Family Altars
● Abraham’s Altar to God (Genesis 12:7) – Abraham built an altar to honor the Lord. This became a memorial and point of divine encounter.
● Gideon’s Family Altar to Baal (Judges 6:25-26) – God told Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and build a new altar to Him. This shows that God does not share space with idols.
● King Josiah’s Reforms (2 Kings 23:10-15) – Josiah destroyed the altars of false gods in Judah to restore true worship. He understood that unless the wrong foundations were broken, the people would remain in bondage.
Signs of a Negative Family Altar
● A history of repeated struggles such as poverty, premature death, barrenness, or broken marriages.
● Nightmares, strange dreams, or demonic oppression linked to ancestral practices.
● Stagnation or unseen barriers despite genuine hard work.
● Family ties to occult practices, idol worship, or rituals passed down generations.
Biblical Instructions on Breaking Family Altars
God does not negotiate with idols. His command has always been clear: destroy every altar that competes with His glory.
● Destroying Idolatrous Altars
○ Exodus 34:13 – “Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles.”
○ Deuteronomy 12:3 – “Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and burn their Asherah poles in the fire.”
● Freedom From Generational Curses
○ Ezekiel 18:20 – “The child will not share the guilt of the parent.” God makes it clear that in Christ, we are not doomed to repeat the sins of our fathers.
○ Colossians 2:14-15 – Through His death, Christ canceled every legal claim against us and disarmed demonic powers.
○ 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 – “The weapons we fight with… have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
○ Luke 10:19 – Jesus gave us authority to overcome the enemy’s power.
Steps to Breaking a Family Altar
Breaking a family altar is not just about prayer — it involves discernment, repentance, and practical obedience to God.
A. Identify the Family Altar
Look closely at your family’s history. Do you notice a cycle of addictions, divorces, untimely deaths, or repeated failures? These may be signs of an evil altar. Ask God for revelation through prayer and fasting (Jeremiah 33:3).
B. Repent and Renounce
Break ties with ancestral covenants through repentance. Leviticus 26:40-42 shows that confessing and turning back to God brings restoration. Declare that Jesus is Lord over your life and bloodline (1 John 1:9).
C. Destroy Any Physical Altars
If there are objects used in idol worship in your home, remove and destroy them (Deuteronomy 7:5). Anoint your home and dedicate it to God.
D. Establish a Godly Altar
It’s not enough to destroy the old altar; you must build a new one for God. This is done through prayer, Bible study, fasting, and dedicating your household to Him. Joshua 24:15 reminds us to choose whom we will serve.
E. Engage in Spiritual Warfare
○ Speak God’s Word boldly over your family (Isaiah 54:17).
○ Rebuke demonic influences in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17).
○ Apply the blood of Jesus for divine covering (Exodus 12:13).
Prayers for Breaking Family Altars
● Prayer of Repentance & Renunciation
“Father, I repent of every sin committed by my ancestors that opened the door to evil altars. I renounce every ungodly covenant made knowingly or unknowingly in my bloodline. By the blood of Jesus, I am free from every curse and bondage. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
● Prayer of Destruction Against Evil Altars
“In the mighty name of Jesus, I command every evil altar speaking against my family to be destroyed by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Every sacrifice and covenant made against my destiny is canceled now. I raise the altar of the Lord in my family. Amen.”
● Prayer for Restoration
“Lord, I declare that my family is free from every curse. Let every blessing meant for my household be restored. I decree open doors, favor, and divine protection over my bloodline. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Breaking family altars is not a one-day event but a journey of faith, prayer, and consistency. Every believer has the authority in Christ to dismantle ungodly foundations and raise a godly heritage for generations to come. When we destroy evil altars and establish God’s presence in our homes, we give our children and future generations the greatest inheritance possible — a life rooted in Christ and free from the chains of the past.
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