Grandma, I Need Your Prayers Blessing Your Grandchildren Through the Power of Prayer

A Grandmother''s Spiritual InfluenceI 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, 5When grandmothers are missing from a society, that society loses its link to the wisdom of the past and the traditions that make the tribe able to reflect on itself. . . . 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''ll Ask My Grandmother-She''s Very WiseMom, you''re going to be a grandmother!"When you first hear these words, the prospect of seeing a new generation raised up ignites hope, love, and purpose in your life. A grand opportunity awaits you to immediately begin praying for the spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of your grandchild.Perhaps you''re wondering whether your prayers can actually make a difference in your grandchild''s life. I (Quin) had an encounter one day that reminded me how much of a difference a grandmother''s prayers can make."She Was Always Praying for Me""I''ll bet you had a praying grandmother," I said to the professional basketball player I''d been chatting with while we were waiting in the Atlanta airport for our flight to be called."I did, but how did you know?" he asked, looking surprised."While we''ve been talking, you mentioned her several times and spoke about how much you love and admire her," I answered."Yes," he said softly, dropping his head. "When my mom left, my grandmother took me in to live with her. Through all those years, she prayed for me and encouraged me in every sport I ever tried. She always told me I could become a professional athlete if I set a goal, practiced for hours, and depended on God to strengthen me.""And it looks like some of those prayers have been answered," I replied."She was always praying for me," he continued with a smile. "I could call her from anywhere I was playing a game, and she''d pray on the phone for me right then. She was a wonderful grand-mother- old now but still praying."What a tribute to a quiet little grandmother who poured her life and prayers into an abandoned grandson, never dreaming he would one day become a well-known athlete. And what an encouragement to praying grandmothers that their efforts are not in vain!When the apostle Paul wrote to his spiritual son, Timothy (in the verse quoted at the beginning of this chapter), he acknowledged- for all generations to follow-the powerful influence of a godly grandmother. In this book, we hope to expand your vision to see just how far-reaching your spiritual influence upon your grand-children can be. Keeping a heart connection with them is the important thing, whether they live close to you or many miles distant. We''ll share creative ideas through stories of other grandmothers to show you how. Also, we''ll provide guidelines to help you establish a scriptural strategy for praying for your grandchildren.Impacting the Next GenerationMost grandmothers probably have given their best years to rearing their children. They''ve sacrificed, worried, scolded, and encouraged-and through it all prayed that God would keep their children safe and help them become mature adults. As author Barbara Johnson says, "We''re always hoping that something we instilled in them might show up, even when we''ve started to think it''s too late."Some, feeling their work is now over, may sigh with relief when their children leave home and later start families of their own. Others may be tempted to spend their best energy pursuing a relaxing lifestyle filled with travel and hobbies. A few may feel a bit depressed, wondering why they seem to have no purpose now that their children are out of the nest. Whatever our situation, God still has more kingdom work for us moms to do, especially when it comes to our grandchildren.Even if you don''t yet have aSherrer, Quin M. is the author of 'Grandma, I Need Your Prayers Blessing Your Grandchildren Through the Power of Prayer' with ISBN 9780310240266 and ISBN 0310240263.