Our grandchildren’s parents have a great responsibility for parenting our grandchildren in these uncertain, unstable times in which we live. In today’s broken world, we see the fragile family unit, living amid a busy environment filled with moral and spiritual battles. Young families are busy with their jobs and find many distractions in their marriage and parenting responsibilities.
Jeff Keaton, president of Renewanation, writes in his article, The battle is hot, but hope is not lost, “ The worldview divide is now so wide that it’s hard even to have a sensible conversation or debate around issues like the role of government, education, abortion, transgenderism, etc. What we are seeing is the devolving of a truth-based, Judeo-Christian culture and the evolving of a non-truth based, secularized culture.”
In John 10:10, we read where Jesus said to his disciples, “The thief comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have abundant life.” The enemy is determined and relentless to distract and steal our grandchildren, and their parents’ faith as our media-driven culture has pushed the boundaries of right and wrong. The movies, music, TV, video games, and Internet are desensitizing our grandchildren. They face legal recreational marijuana, other drugs, sex trafficking, alcohol, sexual identity confusion, homosexuality, pornography, premarital sex, and more.
Grandparents need to intentionally pray that parents will not be distracted and overwhelmed by the influence of a culture hostile to the Truth. The enemy is watching for vulnerable spots and the unguarded doors of each of our hearts. Stand in the gap, praying for the spiritual, emotional, and physical protection of those who are under attack. It’s imperative to pray God will give parents wisdom and time management in their monumental task of guiding our grandchildren in the ways of the Lord.
To pray effectively, we need to know the frustrations, fears, concerns, and expectations parents have for our grandchildren. Ask them, “What are the issues you are dealing with, and how can we pray for you?”
When I don’t know how to pray for my grandchildren and their parents, I ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for me. The Holy Spirit knows their needs, so I ask him to intercede for me according to God’s will, according to Romans 8:26. This keeps me from giving God my plan of answering my prayers, and comforts me to know I can put my concerns in God’s hands instead of carrying them myself.
Often, my prayers are not answered on my timetable. In waiting, God does amazing things in my life and the lives of my grandchildren and their parents. However, God will acknowledge our intercessory prayers and answer them at just the right time.
According to God’s Word, praying for our grandchildren and their parents should be a high priority for grandparents. Therefore, pray that your grandchildren’s parents will experience the abundant life Jesus offers and pass it on to their children to follow Jesus.
Prayer for My Grandchildren’s Parents
Dear Lord, I want to thank you for the parents of my grandchildren
I pray you will help them to value my grandchildren in the same way You value them.
I pray they will commit to the responsibility You have given them
to teach their children to love You and live according to your parenting manual: God’s Word.
May my grandchildren see their home and family as a “safe place.”
Help them to be fair and understand my grandchildren as You understand us.
Pour out your Spirit upon them as they parent my dear grandchildren.
May God bless them richly as they parent with a purpose.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
That is a very encouraging and informative article about today’s environment that parents face. Yes we do need to pray and intercede for them faithfully. Thanks again.
Thank you for this article to encourage me to pray for my grandchildren. It is difficult to see them as they live over 4 hours away (by car). I want so much to be able to be nearby but my husband is not open to this idea. I live in a very densely populated area and would love to move close to my two sons and their families. I’ve prayed that somehow I can become an integral part of my grandchildren’s lives, but so far I can only connect briefly by phone. I pray that by Spring I can make a trip to see them. But for now, I’ll wait and pray that the Lord will take care of these precious lives and help their parents be there to guide them.
Kathy – Be sure to use the texting method of contacting your grandchildren. We find that works much better than the phone as a regular means of being in touch. Phone is good, but not as accessible to our grandchildren as texting is, and therefore the phone is not as able to be frequent, either. And texting is their world, while phoning is not. Another way to consider drawing closer is to give consideration to attending a GrandCamp with them, if your grandchildren are between the ages of 7 & 12. That was an awesome way for us to connect with ours, and because of that we now have a bond with them, even though they are young adults. God bless you for your efforts at making an important contribution to their lives!
Ms. Lillian, I found it interesting, and not coincidental, that after our conversation via phone the other day re: the parents of our grandchildren and starting a prayer group, that this particular writing was right on point. I thank you for your time and encouragement.