Prayer Suggestions for Grandparents

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

Carry Each Other's Burdens

by Lillian Penner, CGN National Prayer Coordinator

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NIV

Recently I visited with a young mother with four small children, all under six years of age who attends the church I attend. Her husband is in a demanding career. She is a very busy, stressed young mother since they don’t have any family near by to help her with the children.

I was sharing my passion with her of grandparents praying for their grandchildren. She shared with me that her children do not have praying grandparents. It made me sad to think there are many families around us who don’t have the support of praying parents and grandparents.

I'm sure there are many young families in our churches and our acquaintances who do not have the support of praying parents and grandparents. They may have no one praying for them.

Paul tells us in Galatians that we are to bear each other’s burdens. We can help carry burdens of these young families by praying for them.

It would be a good idea for us as praying grandparents to commit to pray in 2008 for a young family who does not have the support of praying parents. I think God would have special blessings for us. You may want to ask yourself, “Has God placed a young family in my life I could remember in my prayers?” Praying for young families who do not have praying parents can be a vital ministry. God will literally expand your family.

My husband and I are including several families other than our own children to pray for and it has been a special blessing. We have been thrilled to see God working in their lives. When we see our prayers answered in the lives of others, we are humbled and encouraged in our own faith. We realize God is giving us the privilege to team up with Him by praying for these families.

May God bless you richly in 2008.

December 31, 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.