HISTORY

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Senate proclamation, declaring the Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. 

More than ten years ago, under the leadership of Cavin Harper and Lillian Penner, the Christian Grandparenting Network challenged grandparents to commit this day to prayer; hence, our ministry now refers to this day as Grandparents Day of Prayer (GDOP).

IMPORTANCE OF GRANDPARENTS DAY OF PRAYER

As Christian grandparents, we find ourselves involved in a spiritual tug-of-war for the hearts, minds, and souls of our children and grandchildren. God’s truth is under assault everywhere, including our schools, political arenas, marketplaces, and churches. Satan is relentless in his attack to desensitize mankind to the Gospel Message.

A spiritual battle requires a spiritual weapon, and that weapon is prayer. As grandparents, we need to humble ourselves, seek God’s face, repent of our sin, and intercede on behalf of our children and grandchildren. Then, having done all, we must stand firm in our faith that God has heard and will answer our prayers according to His will.

CALL TO ACTION

In the past, united prayer has bridged the gap between a great need and a great awakening! We hope thousands of churches and groups will host a prayer event to recognize Grandparents Day of Prayer on September 7th. The event can be held in your church, home, retirement complex, or any meeting location you choose. It can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. For example, you may want to host a prayer breakfast or a luncheon following morning worship at your church. Or you may want to offer an afternoon tea or evening dessert in the comfort of your living room. Food is optional; prayer is key!

We want to help make this day special and stress-free; therefore, the remainder of this blog contains suggestions that will help you organize and implement a GDOP event at your church, school, or neighborhood. 

Remember: only YOU can make the Grandparent’s Day of Prayer a reality in your church and community!

BEFORE THE EVENT

1. Speak to your pastor or adult ministry leader about hosting a Grandparents Day of Prayer at your church. 

Note: Some churches don’t want an elaborate celebration. In this case, we suggest you ask your pastor to make this day special by recognizing the grandparents (biological and surrogate) in the congregation and setting aside time during the service for grandparents to pray for their grandchildren.

2. Recruit a core group to help you plan this event. The number of persons you need will depend on how extravagant you want the day to be.
3. Schedule a meeting place and time on September 7^th.
4. Plan the event. 

For a detailed list of ideas, please download the Grandparents Day of Prayer Guide found on Christian Grandparenting Network’s website. https://christiangrandparenting.com/prayer/grandparents-day-of-prayer/ 

5. Promote this event in the church newsletter. Create a promotional flyer or postcard to invite grandparents from your church and community.
6. Ask your pastor to announce this event during Sunday worship in the weeks leading up to September 7th.

 SUGGESTED EVENT PROGRAM

1. Welcome and Instructions 
2. Opening Prayer
3. Suggested Scripture Readings:  Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Jeremiah 2:5, 11-13; Philippians. 1:9-11; Ephesians 1:17-19a
4. Corporate Prayer for Children and Grandchildren 

Note: We included prayers at the end of this blog, which you are welcome to use.

5.  Song and Final Benediction 

DURING THE EVENT

Make prayer a priority on this special day.  You may want to ask grandparents to bring pictures of their grandchildren for a visual as you pray, or you can have everyone list the names of their grandchildren on a poster board or banner before you begin to pray. Remember to be respectful of time.

FOLLOWING THE EVENT

1. Start a Grandparents@Prayer (G@P) group or promote an ongoing one. For more information about G@P, please visit Grandparents@Prayer – Christian Grandparenting Network
2. Contact your grandchildren regularly and let them know you are praying for them.
3.  Sign up to receive the 52 Weeks of Prayer or one of the Thirty-Day Prayer Challenges found on Christian Grandparenting Network’s website.

PRAYER FOR GRANDPARENTS

Abba Father, we praise You for the love that exists between grandparents and their grandchildren. It reflects both the power and sweetness of Your love for each of us. 

As we gather to celebrate Grandparents Day, we want to acknowledge the grandparents in our midst. We pray You look upon them with favor and blessing. Please give them wisdom and discernment as they strive to find a balance between being too strict or lenient.  Help them navigate time constraints, financial concerns, and challenging family dynamics so they can foster long-lasting relationships with their grandchildren. Show them how to love their children and grandchildren as You love them, unconditionally and without reservation or restraint. 

We pray that when their time on earth is complete, these devoted grandparents will hear You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). 

In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

PRAYER FOR GRANDCHILDREN

Lord Jesus, we acknowledge Grandparents Day by thanking You for the blessing of grandchildren. Our love for them brings us tremendous joy.

We pray You awaken our grandchildren to the truth of the Gospel Message. Please let them understand that Your love for them led You to Calvary, where You suffered and died for their sins; let them grasp the significance of the empty tomb from which You were raised on the third day, having conquered sin and death.

Our heart’s greatest desire is for our grandchildren to receive Your gift of grace and salvation. Therefore, we pray they confess and repent of their sin and accept You as their Lord and Savior. Let them “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4), now and forevermore. After all, we can’t imagine eternity without them.

We pray this prayer in Your Name. Amen

Scripture references are in New International Version (NIV)