Prayer Suggestions for Grandparents

The prayer of a righteous man (grandparent) is powerful and effective.  James 5:16b

Memories

by Lillian Penner, CGN National Prayer Coordinator

But I will lavish my love to those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations. Exodus 20:6

In Exodus 20:6, we read that God will lavish His love to those who love Him and obey His commands, even for a thousand generations. Let us demonstrate our love and obedience to God so he will lavish His love on our future descendents. When times get tough for our grandchildren we hope they will have memories of our example of finding a safe place of refuge in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The other day I met a friend at the mall for lunch. After lunch, we strolled through several stores admiring the beautiful Christmas decorations. The mall was very festive with the music and sparkling glitter of the season. I shared with her my memories of when I went shopping with my parents in our city hearing the Christmas music over the loudspeaker.

As we were admiring the beautiful tree ornaments for sale in a store, she said, “Sometimes I think it would be nice to get all new tree ornaments. But then the new ones wouldn’t have memories.” I agreed with her.

Each year as I get out the tree ornaments I have happy memories. The salt dough angels, snowmen etc. my boys and I painted about 35 years ago. The four angel ornaments on the tree one of my sons received remind me of when he was a special character in a Christmas production. The ornaments on our trees often give us special memories. They remind us of who gave them to us or where we purchased them.

As seniors, we cherish good old memories. We love to reminiscence about the past. Now during this Christmas season let us ask ourselves, “What kind of memories will we leave behind by the way we live our lives before our children and

Jennifer Kennedy Dean, in her book, Legacy of Prayer, writes, “All that I invest in my personal relationship with the Lord will yield a hundred-fold increase (Mark 4:8) and will provide spiritual shelter for future generations.” As we invest in our walk with the Lord, we are investing in the lives of our children and grandchildren. grandchildren?”

During this Christmas season, let us ask God, “what kind of memories He wants us to leave for our descendents.” One of the greatest gifts we could give them would be the memory of praying grandparents who walked close to the Lord.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2007

Lillian Ann Penner is a retired secretary from align="center"public high school in Bakersfield, CA. She and her husband, John, have been married 48 years and currently reside in Portland, OR.  They have three married sons and nine grandchildren.

Lillian has been active in church ministry for 45 years, and has led a "Heart to Heart" mentoring program for women, participated in a short term missions trip in Ukraine, volunteered at the Northwest Regional office of Wycliffe Translators, Jose Zayas Evangelistic Association, and Focus On the Family. Currently, she teaches a women's Bible study in her home church.