Start Here: How to Pray for Your Grandchildren

Whenever I start missing my grandchildren, I say a prayer for them.

Each year in early September comes National Grandparents Day, which is also Grandparents’ Day of Prayer, sponsored by the Christian Grandparenting Network and the Legacy Coalition.

Children and grandparents both benefit from spending time together.

A grandparent’s unconditional love and encouragement help buffer a child against the inevitable challenges and disappointments that come with growing up.

And research points to longer life for grandparents who spend time caring for their grandchildren.

But for many of us, distance or circumstances keep us apart from our grandkids.

If this is true for you (or even if your grandkids are close), don’t relinquish your most important role as a grandparent—pray!

Throughout each year, I try to pray often for my grandchildren, something like this:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for my grandchildren! May they know and walk in your Word, and may it prepare them to choose Jesus early in their lives.

May they follow You all the days of their lives.

Give them discernment as they grow, and spare them experimentation that would pull them away from you. Help them stand. But when they do fall, as they will, may they quickly and gladly receive your forgiveness and mercy and go forward again.

May they always shine brightly for you. Give them large, loving hearts. Guide them as they develop and use the abilities and talents you’ve placed in them for the good of the world. May they love your church and learn to use their spiritual gifts for the good of the Body.

Keep them healthy and strong. Protect them every day by your power and by the wisdom of your Word.

Guide their marriage and career decisions. Bless their future spouses.

Bless their parents with your wisdom and mercy too. May they always look to you to know how to live and how to love and raise these precious ones! Amen.

Want to know more about Grandparents Day of Prayer? Check out the Christian Grandparenting Network and the Legacy Coalition. Both groups have tons of resources to help you be the best grandparent you can be—this Sunday as you pray, and every day!

– Diane

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