Grandparenting, a Special Gift

I find it hard to believe that my husband and I have been grandparents for thirty even yearsthis week, but the reality is our oldest grandchild is turning thirty-seven. I remember how excited I was when our son called to tell us their baby girl had been born because I often prayed that my first grandchild would be a girl since we had three boys. 

Along with the special gift of grandparenting,God gave us an assignment to imprint another generation with the message of His faithfulness. God gave us an opportunity to partner with Him and her parents to teach her God’s unconditional love for her and be her prayer warriors.  

A note from my oldest granddaughter confirms that praying for her was not a wasted effort.

She wrote, “Your phone calls, cards, and e-mails were encouraging and made a significant impacton my life, especially in my teenage and college years. Your prayers and encouragement have been rock-solid reminders of God’s truth in my incredible, crazy life-shaping years, and now in my married life. Your prayers help me surrender the craziness of my life to God.”

It has been a blessed journey for us to observe her physical and spiritual growth over the years and how God blessed her with a wonderful godly husband.  We were privileged go to church with them and spend time with them recently. 

My husband and I thank God he has given us the opportunity to be prayer warriorsfor our 13 grandchildren and 4 great-granddaughters. Serving Him in this way has given our lives fulfillment and significance.

Godhas given grandparents a powerful resource in the avenue of prayer to bring power and blessing to our loved ones.I would like to challenge you to be intentional prayer warriors for the grandchildren God has placed into your lives. 

For a resource to encourage you and give you suggestions to grandparent with a purpose, praying intentionally, order the book Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for your Grandchildren on this website for a discounted price of $10.50 including shipping.

By Lillian Penner, Co-prayer director for Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net