Do You have a Spiritual Trust Fund for your Grandchildren?

A few years ago, I found a letter my great-grandfather, a preacher in Poland had written to his son, my grandfather after my grandfather had immigrated to America. In the letter, he wrote that he was praying for his son, my grandfather, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and future generations.

 It blessed my heart to see in writing that my great-grandfather had prayed for me before I was born. His prayers had a ripple effect on my grandparents, my parents, my life, my children, my grandchildren and my future generations.

Grandparents Role

The role of godly grandparents is to communicate their faith in Jesus Christ and pray diligently for their grandchildren. However, if you did not have the privilege of growing up with a Christian heritage you have the opportunity start the ripple effect for your future generations.

We read in Matthew 6:19.20, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” I think my children and grandchildren are my treasures.

We may not have wealth to pass on to our children, grandchildren, and future descendants. However, author Jennifer Kennedy Dean shares in her book, The Legacy of Prayer about a Spiritual Trust Fund that will only increase in value.

• We can leave behind for our descendants a spiritual trust that can never be stolen, squandered, or lost.
• We can lay up a storehouse of imperishable wealth by praying for our grandchildren and future generations.
• Our prayers are deposits in their spiritual trust fund and will be for withdrawals when needed. ¹

Our descendants do not inherit salvation. Nevertheless, we can pray our descendants will live in a constant awareness of God’s presence and be firmly established in His Word. Praying their hearts will be prepared for when presented with an opportunity to step into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our families need material things, but those things are only temporary. Prayer is the greatest gift we can give our family and will affect many generations.

1. Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Legacy of Prayer (Birmingham, New Hope Publishers).

By Lillian Penner