Pray for Protection and Victory in the Battlefields of Life

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10, 11).

A grandfather understands the nature of warfare and that our grandchildren are prime targets for the enemy who is seeking to devour them (and us). Paul reminded young Timothy “to endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer” (2 Tim. 2:3-4). Gentlemen, we are soldiers engaged in the battlefield of war for the hearts, minds, and souls of our grandchildren. The question is not whether we are soldiers, but how good a soldier we are. If we fail to engage in battle, then we set the enemy loose to do whatever he wants with our children and grandchildren.

Our grandchildren need grandfathers who are good soldiers—soldiers who understand they are not on vacation but at war, who grasp their calling and are committed to fulfilling it and pleasing our Commanding Officer (Christ), who expect hardship but have learned how to endure it with courage and faith, and who, finally, have clothed themselves with the full armor of God and are engaged in fervent prayer on their grandchildren’s behalf.

Such soldier grandfathers will pray that for their grandchildren to grow strong in their walk with the Lord. They will pray for and show them the importance of the armor of God to stand firm against schemes of the devil who will tempt them to lie, to cheat, to disobey their parents, and to follow all the ways of the world. The enemy is cunning, deceptive, and powerful. He will do everything he can to distract our grandchildren from walking with the Lord and seek, instead, to gratify the sinful desires of the flesh.

Grandfathers, pray that your grandchildren will:

1. Recognize the deception of the world and resist temptation.

2. Gird themselves with the belt of truth (God’s Word) and stand firm in the truth.

3. Put on the breastplate of righteousness: in repentance and the righteousness of Christ, choose to courageously walk everyday in righteousness.

4. Have feet fitted with readiness to flee sin and run towards truth and peace.

5. Take up the shield of faith so that they may stand firm against and extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

6. Put on the helmet of salvation by the Holy Spirit will guard their hearts and minds, and fill them with hope and courage to live life to the fullest in Christ Jesus, their Lord and Savior.

7. Take up the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, as their only weapon against which Satan cannot stand. Pray that they will hide the Word in their hearts through study and memorization.

8. Be alert, self-controlled, and firm in faith—faith in God and the work of Christ on the Cross.

9. Persevere and endure hardship in the face of hostility and ignorance.

10. Live a life worthy of the calling they have received as a child of God.

A Grandfather’s Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word proclaims that children are a gift from God.

My children have blessed me with many grandchildren, and I thank you for each one.

I pray that I will carry on your hope to our future generations.

My prayer for each grandchild is that they will experience

your fullness in their daily walk with You.

May they desire to live for You, guard their steps,

and draw near to You experiencing your love for them.

In times of testing may their hearts and minds be drawn to you,

causing them to remember your Word,

and give them a way to escape as you promise.

In addition, help them to honor you through the life you’ve given to them.

Help me, as their grandfather to reflect a clear image of You

through the life, you have given to me.

I trust You to give me patience and love to influence,

and encourage them into your grace.

I commit each one of my grandchildren into your care and blessing.

In Your precious name, I pray, Amen.

Written by John Penner, Oregon, 2009

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” III John 1:4.