Has God Placed Children in your Life who need prayer

Why should the blessing of a praying grandparent be limited to his or her own grandchildren? We have the opportunity to stand in the gap for many children in our churches, as well as children of acquaintances who do not have praying grandparents. My husband and I have found that God has placed people in our lives because He wants us to pray for them.  

Jesus Had a Heart for Children

Jesus had a special place in his heart for children, and if we want to have a heart like Jesus, we will have a heart for children. Jesus tells the disciples, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14).

Children today are growing up in an increasingly hostile world, receiving many conflicting messages through a media-driven culture that is trying to capture their minds. We cannot shelter them from the world, but we can stand in the gap for them and pray a hedge of protection around them.    

A Surrogate Grandchild

In 1989, when Patty was fourteen, she and her parents immigrated to the United States from Colombia, South America. Soon after their arrival, my husband and I befriended her family; she asked us if we would be her surrogate grandparents. We were delighted to accept the role and have been praying for Patty as she has gone through high school, college, and medical school and now as a college professor. There are many miles between us, but we stay connected with telephone calls, e-mails, and prayer.

Patty wrote to us saying, “God has poured His love on me by knowing I have praying grandparents, it has made a huge difference in my life, especially during the difficult times in my studies.”

In addition to Patty, we have been praying for several other surrogate grandchildren. We are humbled and encouraged when we see our prayers answered in their lives. God has blessed us with the privilege to stand in the gap for these dear children as they have grown up; it has literally expanded our family, and a vital ministry for us.

I am sure there are young families in your church or neighborhood who would love to have surrogate grandparents praying for their children.

I hope this blog will encourage you to invest in the lives of children who do not have praying grandparents you can love and pray for them. If you have surrogate grandchildren for whom you are praying, please comment to this blog or send me an email.

Ask yourself: Has God placed some children your neighborhood or your church that need praying surrogate grandparents?

Lillian Penner, National Prayer Coordinator

Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net