Do your Grandchildren need an Umbrella of prayer?

I live in Oregon, and we have lots of rain, especially in the wintertime. I am looking forward to spring to see the beautiful flowering trees and sunny days. If you live in Oregon, you need an umbrella for the rainy days.

Thinking about an umbrella I am reminded that my prayers can be an umbrella covering my grandchildren and their parents as they walk in the rain of worldly deceit, cultural changes, ungodly influences, and uncertainty in our world today.

In John 10:10 (MSG), we read, “A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

I want to share a prayer for granddaughters and grandsons from my book, which you will find helpful praying for them, Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for your Grandchildren available on this website. 

A Prayer for your Granddaughter

Adapted from I Peter 3:3, 4 and Colossians 3:12–17 

(Insert child’s name.)  Dear heavenly Father, I pray ___________ will not be concerned about her outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. But that she will clothe herself with the beauty of a teachable, gentle spirit, displaying pure and godly behavior, for this is precious in Your sight. I pray ___________ will have a balanced view of beauty and charm, clothing herself with attractive and modest apparel, radiating the countenance of a godly young woman, choosing to dress in a way that pleases You. I pray ___________ will clothe herself with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, making allowances for the faults of others and forgiving those who offend her. But the most important virtue is love. Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in ___________’s heart. I pray the words of Christ will live in ___________’s heart and make her wise, so whatever she says or does will be pleasing to God. Moreover, I pray ___________ will grow up to be a godly woman, loving You and serving You all the days of her life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Prayer for your Grandson

Adapted from Proverbs 6:20–23 and I Peter 5:6–9 

(Insert child’s name.)  Dear Lord, I pray my dear grandson, ___________ will obey your commands and not neglect the teachings of his mother and father. Keep your words always in his heart and tie them around his neck. Wherever he walks, your counsel will lead him. When he sleeps, you will protect him. When he wakes up in the morning, you will advise him. Your Word is a beam of light directed into the dark corners of his mind to warn him of danger and to give him a good life. I pray ___________ will cast all his anxieties on You because You want what is best for him. I pray ___________ will recognize the temptations and deceitfulness of the enemy, Satan. Be self-controlled and alert, resist the enemy, standing firm in his faith. Keep him from the immoral behavior of the world he sees in person, in print, in the media, or on the computer. Lord, I pray ___________ will grow up to be a godly man who loves you and serves You as long as he lives. In Jesus Name.

Written by Lillian Penner, Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting Network