The definition of ‘Grandchild’ is: ‘child of a son or daughter.’ - 6 words that don’t say very much.
I have been blessed with three wonderful grandchildren. My oldest grandson turned 8 this past November. This past week was my second grandson’s birthday – he turned 5 and told his Dad, “Daddy, since I’m 5, you might not be able to hold me anymore.”
I love when my son shares quotes from my grandchildren. It gives me a glimpse into their precious, growing, minds. A hint of how they see their world around them, and the excitement they experience at special occasions in their lives.
And then came my grandchildren. I don’t know if I can even put into words the emotion I feel knowing they are in my life. Each one has captivated my heart beyond measure – and each one brings me such joy that sometimes I just sit and think about what it all means to be ‘Nonna.’
I once read, “Being a grandmother is a constant learning and teaching experience, because as grandmothers, women must learn to apply yesterday’s wisdom to today’s challenges.” – Kristen Johnson Ingram
I was not given the privilege of being a grandmother just for my own joy and blessing. As with everything we experience in life – the Lord bestows upon our lives opportunities to know him intimately and to pass on this blessing to others. I was given the opportunity to pray for the spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of my grandchildren. In fact, it’s expected of me to do so.
I spent (and continue to spend) many hours praying for my children. I have seen the outpouring of love, grace and mercy from the Lord in each of their lives, and have seen many answered prayers. Once I learned that my first grandchild was on the way, a new responsibility was given to me, the new grandmother-to-be. I found myself praying for this child even before he was born – and have continued ever since.
We are given the power, through prayer, to influence the future of our grandchildren for their good. Our grandchildren are our link to the future, and our faithfulness to pray for them can greatly impact their future.
I found my prayers needed consistency and purpose. A “general” prayer for my grandchildren could almost be a wasted prayer. Between a few books, resources and searching the scriptures, I found the following to be a great guideline for my prayers:
- Be Bible based – I definitely need to be better acquainted with God’s Word, to grow in knowledge of Him, which will lead me in how to pray in accordance with His will. I sometimes turn a scripture into prayer for my grandchild’s needs. I find using the Psalms a good way to pray the scriptures over my grandchildren.
- Be open to the Holy Spirit – the Lord sent the Holy Spirit to help me pray what is on God’s heart. The Lord is well aware of my grandchildren’s circumstances and needs. I need to submit my prayers to the Holy Spirit – which many times may surprise me as to what I end up praying over my grandchildren.
- Be submitted to God’s will – I need to be willing to wait, submit, and let go of my grandchildren’s needs to the God who loved them before they were conceived. Let go of my “timing” for answered prayers and be willing to trust in God’s timing. This is a test of my faith – to trust Him to fulfill His will in His time and in His way.
- Be specific – practical prayers are important, but specific prayers for my individual grandchildren are even more important; their spiritual growth, their home and family, their friends, schooling, protection and health, difficulties or concerns they may be facing, accomplishments & celebrations in their lives, etc.
- Be persistent – I must never give up praying for a particular situation for my grandchildren.
- Be thankful – Thanking God in advance for answering my prayer His way and for revealing His answers to me in His time.
- Trust Him always – I must remember, “we have no power . . . nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” – 2Chron. 20:12. I do not know how or when an answer to prayer will come, but I must continue to praise the Lord for his love and mercy and know he has my grandchildren in the palm of his hand.
The apostle Paul wrote to his spiritual son Timothy, acknowledging the powerful influence of a godly grandmother. I pray that I continue to grow in my faith, my prayers and my obedience to the Lord, so I too, may be a powerful influence to my grandchildren.
"I constantly remember you in my prayers . . . I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." – 2 Timothy 1:3, 5
