Suggestions to Pray with Confidence for your Grandchildren

Do you get tired of praying the same prayers for your grandchildren and their parents? Do you feel like your prayers have become humdrum, repetitive, or pointless? 

A number of years ago, I felt that my prayers were general and superficial. I prayed that my grandchildren would be safe and have a good day, but those prayers felt rote–and were probably powerless.    

However, that all changed after I asked God to give me wisdom and insight on how I could intentionally pray with a purpose for my grandchildren and their parents. I discovered that God’s Word is a great resource to help me to pray not only for my grandchildren and their parents, but also for myself. I believe that no prayer is more effective than the one that finds its roots in God’s Word, which is alive, powerful, and will not return void.  

When I pray according to God’s Word, I am in line with His will, enabling me to pray with wisdom and power, according to Hebrews 4:12: “The Word of God is full of living power” (NLT). I have found it helpful to spend time in God’s Word to know His promises and commands because my mind is renewed to think His thoughts. His Word helps me to see my grandchildren’s needs from His eternal perspective, instead from my limited perspective. 

John 15:7 promises that “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” (niv) I believe God’s words can be the foundation of powerful prayers for our grandchildren and their parents.                      

As I started claiming God’s promises and personalizing the Scriptures, I experienced more boldness and confidence in my praying. I believe that nothing threatens the enemy, Satan, more than when we are intentionally praying God’s Word for our grandchildren, their parents, and ourselves. Many Scripture passages in Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels and Paul’s writings can be used in our prayers.      

In our increasingly complex and turbulent world, we don’t know about the future. However, as grandparents who love the Lord, we know Who holds the future. We must be engaged in prayer for our grandchildren and their parents to keep their hearts and minds from falling captive to the enemy’s deception and lies. 

We read in Psalm 3:5, “In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation” (niv).  Will you join me in laying your requests at the feet of Jesus, waiting in expectation for Him to answer those prayers?

Here are some Scripture passages to begin to pray intentionally for your grandchildren and their parents to love and follow Jesus wholeheartedly.    

“The earnest prayer of a righteous [grandparent] has great power and produces wonderful results” James 5:16 (NLT)

I am going to share some Scriptures you can pray for your grandchildren.

Dear Father, I pray that: (Insert your grandchild’s name)

1. Accept Advice _______ will listen to constructive criticism and correction, and through it gain understanding. Proverbs 15:31, 32

2. Anger _______will be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19

3. Anxiety _______will cast all his/her anxieties and disappointments on You to experience your care for him/her. I Peter 5:7

4. Confidence _________ will understand that the Lord is his/her helper and will always help him/her in every situation. Heb. 13:6

5. Compassionate _______ will be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to others. Ephesians 4:32

6. Contentment _______ will learn the secret of contentment in every situation. Philippians 4:12

7. Direction ___ ______will acknowledge You in all his/her ways and You will direct his/her path. Proverbs 3:6

8. Friendships _________ will pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord. II Timothy. 2:22

9. Future Mate _______will find a spouse with a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 6:14

10. Generosity __________ will be generous and willing to share with others. I Timothy 6:18

Additional prayer helps:

I have developed “Thirty-one Scriptures to Pray for Grandchildren” and “Scriptures to pray for Teen Grandchildren”. Many grandparents are using these Scriptures to pray for their grandchildren. Just by joining the mailing list on the right side of this page you will receive grandparenting blogs and prayer suggestions to pray for your grandchildren regularly. I will send you a free downloadable copy of “Thirty-one Scriptures to Pray for your Grandchildren” and “Scriptures to Pray for Teen Grandchildren.”  

Written by Lillian Penner, Co-Prayer director for Christian Grandpaerenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net