Have you Heard about John Mark’s Second Chance?

I enjoy reading stories on Facebook about prominent people sharing their stories about God giving them a second chance. We read in Acts chapter 13, Paul, Barnabas and John Mark went on a mission trip. After they had ministered in a couple of towns, John Mark, Barnabas’ nephew left them and returned home to Jerusalem. 

Later in Acts chapter 15, we read that Paul and Barnabas were going to leave on another mission trip. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark, along again but Paul strongly disagreed. After their sharp disagreement, Barnabas separated from Paul. Paul chose Silas and Barnabas took John Mark, his nephew. However, Barnabas gave John Mark a second chance and sailed to Cyprus. 

We don’t read in Acts about John Mark’s first trip, but we know that he is the same one who wrote the Gospel of Mark, one of the four gospels. I was inspired by this story because it was an example of how God gave John Mark a second chance and blessed his ministry.

Today many grandparents are discouraged, with broken hearts because they see their grandchildren make bad choices. However, I would like to encourage them to continue to pray for them, encourage them, and love them. Even though they don’t accept their behaviors. God has a way for them to make a change to make wise choices. We read in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all wrong.”  We also read in Romans 12:2,  “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  God will give them a second and even a third chance if needed to transform their lives, just as He did with John Mark.

Prayer – Pray your grandchildren will be drawn to Jesus with gentle cords of love and experience the reality of Jesus Christ in their lives, as they grow strong in their faith.

I have developed “Scriptures to Pray for your Teen Grandchildren”. Many grandparents are using the “Scriptures to pray for your Teen Grandchildren”. 

Just by joining the mailing list to receive my grandparenting blogs and prayer suggestions, sign up on the right side of this page. I will send you a free downloadable copy of “Scriptures to Pray for your Teen Grandchildren”. If you already are on my Blog mailing request, send me an email requesting the Prayer card for Teens.   

By Lillian Penner, Co-prayer director for Christian Grandparenting Network. lpenner@christiangrandparernting.net or write a comment after this blog.