Finding Significant Purpose as a Grandmother
It's always a pleasure to share these pages with amazing women. Lillian Penner is the author of Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for Your Grandchildren and Co-Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting Network. When she accepted my invitation to share her wisdom with my readers, I was thrilled. I know you will be too.
Some years ago I found a letter in my family archives, written by my great-grandfather in Poland, addressed to my grandfather who had immigrated to America.In the letter, he wrote that he was praying for my grandfather, his children, and his future generations.It was a special blessing for me to see in writing that my great-grandfather prayed for me before I was born.My great-grandfather’s prayers had a ripple effect on my grandparents, my parents, my life, my children, and my grandchildren.If you did not have a Christian heritage, you have the privilege of starting the ripples in your family.God has given us the opportunity to partner with Him on behalf of these dear ones as prayer warriors.As we get older and face physical limitations, we might feel less useful.God has a purpose for us for these times—to be front-line prayer warriors for our grandchildren.We live in a time when the darkness of sin and unrighteousness ravages our land seeking to capture the minds and hearts of our youth and young families.The enemy is determined to steal their faith and the plans God has for them. The enemy’s attacks against our families and our nation’s moral foundations are relentless.It is urgent that grandparents stand in the gap praying for the spiritual, emotional, and physical protection of these who are under attack.My prayer for my grandchildren is that they will have a personal relationship and walk wholeheartedly with Jesus Christ.
Significant Grandparenting
I received the special gift of grandparenting as I approached my midlife season. Becoming a grandparent was exciting!However, I learned that along with this gift came a sacred trust to imprint another generation with the message of God’s faithfulness.Reflecting on my new responsibility, I realized my prayers were too general and vague, and I became frustrated with how I was praying for my grandchildren.After I asked God for wisdom and read several books about prayer, my praying changed dramatically.I discovered God’s Word was a great resource to help me with my praying, not only for my family but also for myself.
Praying God's Word
In Hebrews 4:12 we read, “The Word of God is full of living power.” When I pray according to God’s Word, I am in line with His will.I not only find myself in intimate communication with God, but my mind is renewed to think His thoughts about the situation for which I am praying.Ultimately, God shrinks the devastating situation into a viable possibility. He gives me peace as I wait for His answer.As I started claiming God’s promises and personalizing the scriptures, I experienced more boldness and confidence in my prayer life.Nothing threatens the enemy (Satan) more than when we are intentionally praying God’s Word for our children, grandchildren, and ourselves.Many scriptures in Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels and Paul’s writings can be used in our prayers.A note from my oldest granddaughter confirms that praying for my precious grandchildren is never a wasted effort.She writes: “Your prayers help me surrender the craziness of my life to God."Her words warmed my heart.
Reflecting love
A few years ago on a sunny autumn day, my husband and I were traveling in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado.Mesmerized by the reflections of the rugged, snow-covered mountains and golden aspen trees on a pristine lake, I could not help but ask myself:
- Do my children and grandchildren see God’s love reflected in my life in the same way?
- Do they see Jesus in me?
Pondering the answer to these questions led me to realize that the sun must shine on the water to create a reflection.For God’s love to reflect on my life, the love of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, must shine in my heart.My husband and I thank God he has given us an opportunity to be prayer warriors for our nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.Praying for our family and leading the cause through the Christian Grandparenting Network’s prayer ministry has given my life fulfillment and significance.If you have grandchildren, I'd love to have you join us in the Million Praying Grandparents Movement.May the light of the Son reflect in you, and may you know the delight of serving as God’s prayer warrior for your grandchildren and their parents.Lillian
Lillian Penner is the author of Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for Your Grandchildren and is Co-Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting Network. An avid blogger, Lillian will break into smiles if you ask about her twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She and her husband, John, live in Portland, Oregon, where they are active in church ministries.