Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for your Grandchildren
It is God’s design for grandparents to pass their faith to multiple generations. Just as David was chosen for his generation, God has positioned us as grandparents for this generation with our personality and gifts for our families. We read in Acts 16:36, “David served God’s purpose in his generation.”
Today’s design for grandparents
Moses told the Israelites, “Only be careful and watch yourselves closely not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and their children after them.” (Deuteronomy 4:9) Today grandparents have the same design for their grandparenting role.
Asaph also gives us directions in Psalm 78:1-8.
O, my people listen to my instructions.
Open your ears to what I say, for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— stories we have heard and known stories our ancestors handed down to us.
We will not hide these truths from our children. We will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.
He issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children so the next generation might know them-even, the children not yet born—and they, in turn, will teach their children.
So, each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.
Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God. New Living Translation (NLT)
God’s design for grandparenting is two-fold to teach HOPE in God and OBEDIENCE.
Our walk must match my talk
Our grandchildren watch and listen to see if our life choices match our stated convictions. How we live our lives is a powerful example to our families. The best gifts we can give our families are not expensive luxuries but a good name. Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is better than wealth.” If we nurture our relationship with our children and grandchildren, we will speak into their lives and help shape their hearts.
Can grandparents make a difference?
Grandparents can make a difference. Grandparents can help their grandchildren navigate the rapid culture shift we are experiencing. The enemy is undermining God’s design for our grandchildren by filling our headlines, and social media feeds with a worldview. However, God has begun a powerful movement to awaken Christian grandparents to impact the next generation spiritually.
God chose us for our specific children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We are not living in past generations or future generations. We are living in this present generation with God’s purpose. He gave us an instruction book, God’s Word, to follow.
My husband and I were chosen for this generation, our three sons, three daughters-in-law, nine grandchildren, their spouses, and five great-granddaughters to love, cherish, pray for them, and encourage them to follow Jesus. He has chosen you for your family.
Study Guide
For personal reflection or group discussion
- Ask yourself, what is God’s purpose for me in my family?
- Ask God how you want me to fulfill your purpose for my generation?
- Are my grandchildren watching my walk with the Lord?
- Is my walk with the Lord what I want my grandchildren to follow?
- How am I teaching my grandchildren to live in obedience to God’s Word?
- Will my grandchildren want my Jesus?
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1
“In everything, set an example by doing what is good.”Titus 2:7
“Set an example for the believers in speech, life, love, and purity.” I Timothy 4:12b
By Lillian Penner, Prayer director for Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net
PS: This blog is taken from the new book “Revised & Expanded” Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Prayer for your Grandchildren. It is available on this website at a discounted price of $15.00, including shipping and handling. Reviews can be found at https://www.grandparentingwithapurpose.com/endorsements/
Thank you Lillian. Your words are so affirming and bring me the peace that I seek and so desperately need in my unique grandmother role. To answer question one: God has chosen my husband and I to be “global grandparents”. (Our daughter married an Aussie; they live in Melbourne, AU with 2 lovely daughters, our son and his wife live in Zurich, with 2 precious boys, and our other son and his wife and 2 sweet little girls live in Philly). It’s a unique life as a global grandmother. I really don’t know what I would do without the Lord with me on this journey.
I read your book and what resonates most with me is that, God has chosen me for this very unique role and it is a both an honor and privilege to come to the throne each day and prayer for my precious global family.
Please pray for us. We are reuniting, if it is the Lord’s will, this June, after 4 years of being apart.
I am beyond excited.
God bless you Lillian.
Bette