God’s gift of prayer

God has given us a gift of a way to communicate with Him, which we call prayer. The privilege to pray is a gift from God. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.”

An incredible force of God’s power is released as we relinquish our concerns to Him and commit ourselves to pray for our grandchildren intentionally. Prayer is not production; it is a personal, intimate conversation with God, the creator of the universe. Isn’t it exciting to think we have the privilege of communicating with the creator of the universe?

Isn’t it wonderful that we can bring all our concerns to God? He is always available and sitting at the right hand of God, waiting for us to come to him. His line is never busy, He never puts us on hold, we don’t have to press a number for our language, we don’t have to leave a voice mail, and He is available 24/7.  

I like to use His Word in my prayers, which are powerful and will not return void. I have found praying Scripture has changed my prayer life.  

Here are a few Scriptures to pray for your grandchildren:

• Pray, they will not have the spirit of fear and timidity but the spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. I Timothy 1:7
• Pray they will be alert and watch out for the temptations from the enemy, standing firm in their faith. I Peter 5:8,9

When I pray according to God’s Word, I follow His will. I find myself in intimate communication with God, and my mind is renewed to His perspective about the situation I am praying for instead of my thoughts. 

Nothing threatens the enemy (Satan) more than when we intentionally pray God’s Word for our children, grandchildren, and ourselves. Ultimately, God shrinks the situation I thought was overwhelming and impossible to a viable possibility. He gives me peace as I wait for His answer.

“For the word of God is living and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul, spirit, joints, and marrow.

It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12” (NLT)

When I started claiming God’s promises and personalizing the scriptures, I experienced more boldness and peace in my praying. You can use many Scriptures in Psalms, Proverbs, the gospels, and Paul’s writings can be used in your prayers.

If you subscribe to receive the blogs and grandparenting suggestions on my website or email me, I will send you a free downloadable copy of the “31 Scriptures to Pray for your Grandchildren”. We have distributed these Scriptures to thousands of grandparents, and I hope you, too, will find them helpful in praying for your grandchildren. Parents can also use them for their children.

“31 Scriptures to Pray for your Grandchildren” is available in English and Spanish. To receive the Spanish translations, email me at info@grandparentingwithapurpose.com.

By Lillian Penner, Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting Network, pennerlp@gmail.com