Perhaps you have been thinking about how you as a grandparent can influence your grandchildren in their spiritual growth this year when it seems the world is falling apart around us. God has given grandparents the responsibility to be influencers. We DO affect our grandchildren one-way or another, negatively or positively. In the Psalms, we read that we are to tell our future generations how God has walked with us and demonstrated His mighty works in our lives.

Here are two tools God has given us to influence our grandchildren:

1. Prayer – Our prayers can open the door for God to work in the hearts of our grandchildren however, they still have to choose to cooperate with Him. We can influence our grandchildren by inviting God to influence them and interceding for them in prayer. Material things are temporary but our prayers can influence them for a lifetime. Prayer is the greatest gift we can give our grandchildren.
2. Example – Another powerful tool God has given us is to influence our grandchildren is the example of our own lives. As spiritual role models, we can demonstrate the reality of our faith by walking with God through the storms of life as well as the good times. As grandparents, we can be a great influence just by how we live our lives. Look for opportunities to share what God has done for you and draw your conversations to talk about Him.

On the way to a restaurant the other day, my granddaughter said we should say she was only 11 years old, even though she is 12 years old, so she could eat for the less expensive children’s price. It was the perfect time to be a good example and not lie about her age. (“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” Titus 2:7 NIV)

The role of believing grandparents is to communicate their faith in Jesus Christ, praying specifically and diligently for their grandchildren. Some of our greatest blessings will come when we ask God to use us to touch the lives of our grandchildren and we see the results. If you are overwhelmed with how to be a good influence, ask God. He is waiting for you to ask.

Do your grandchildren notice that you are resting in the shadow of the Almighty? (Psalm 91:1)
Do your grandchildren see that there is an authenticity and sincerity about you and your relationship with God?

What a blessing it would be to hear your grandchildren say, “I want to walk with the Lord like my grandparents modeled for me.”

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the spiritual and practical influence I can have in the lives of my grandchildren. Show me how to encourage them and be available for them. Reveal to me when and how to pray for their spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being. I want to be a grandparent they can emulate. In Jesus name.
(Adapted from Sherrer & Garlock, Grandma, I Need Your Prayers, (Grand Rapids, MI,; Zondervan, 2002), p 30.
© 2009