How You can Stand in the Gap with Prayer for your Grandchildren

Years ago, Esther stood in the gap for her people, the Jews when their lives were physically threatened. Today grandparents can stand in the gap with prayer for their grandchildren in the same way as their spiritual lives are threatened.  

I would like to invite you to become a part of a prayer group for grandparents to pray together for each other’s grandchildren and families.  At this time there are 30 G@P groups meeting in the U.S and South Africa, and interested groups in Australia.

There is an urgency for the power of prayer to keep the hearts and minds of our grandchildren from falling captive to the enemy’s deception and lies. We are engaged in a spiritual battle that requires the spiritual weapon of prayer.

As grandparents, we can make a significant difference in the world by praying regularly and intentionally for our grandchildren and their parents. We have an opportunity join together to powerfully touch the lives of another generation.

Grandparent @ Prayer (G@P) intercessory prayer groups consist of small or large groups of people meeting once or twice a month for approximately one hour at a designated location for prayer and fellowship. Groups are meeting in retirement centers, schools, churches, and homes weekly.

The beginning of 2017 would be a great time to get started, just ask a few grandparents to join you, try it for a few months, and see what you think. Many grandparents have told me that they appreciate a safe place to share their concerns for their grandchildren.

Please go to https://www.christiangrandparenting.net/prayer/grandparents-prayer/participate-in-gap to sign up to receive the eBook “The Prayer Ministry of Christian Grandparenting Network “.   You may also email me at lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net indicating that you would like to receive the eBook “The Prayer Ministry of Christian Grandparentring Network.”

By Lillian Penner, Prayer Coordinator, Christian Grandparenting Network.

 As I was looking at the forlorn misshapen tree standing in the snow on the cover of a book I was reading last week, I was reminded of the Christmas tree we had at my house when I was a child.  

 When I was six years old, my parents did not have much money to spend at Christmas. In order for my parents to have enough money to buy a present for me, they decided to cut a branch from our juniper tree in the yard for our Christmas tree. I remember at the time, I thought it was ugly, straggly, and misshapen and I was disappointed. I wished they would buy a tree from a Christmas tree lot in town like other families. 

 However, I recently found a picture taken that year with me standing by the branch (tree). After we had decorated it with a garland made of popcorn and cranberries, hung a few ornaments, and silver tinsel; the tree did not look too bad. 

 Now when I remember what the straggly juniper branch looked like and compare it to the beautifully, decorated shaped tree in my home I see it differently. I see the straggly forlorn branch as a person’s life without God or one depleted from nourishment and the beautiful shaped tree in my home as a person’s life filled with God’s love, purpose, and decorated with ornaments representing the fruit of the Spirit.

 God can take a straggly, forlorn life and transform it into a beautiful shaped fulfilled life. Jesus tells us in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”  He can change the straggly life into a beautiful new life, a flourishing life, filled with love, peace and joy if we believe in him.   

 Often, our lives can become damaged and appear like a straggly, forlorn tree, misshapen by the trials, challenges, and disappointments of life. However, our lives can be transformed by the renewing of our minds with His Word into flourishing lives. 

 God promises that when we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, giving Him every area of our lives, we will take on a true and proper shape. We will become a flourishing tree pointing others to God. 

 When you see a Christmas tree this year, I hope it reminds you of the new life we can have in Christ Jesus, everlasting life when we invite Him into our lives and trust Him with the challenges and disappointments of life. 

 Do you or any of your family members feel like a tree twisted, damaged, and made crooked by the fears, circumstances, difficulties, or sin in their lives?

Do you or any of your family members feel all alone in this world?

God is waiting to give you and your family members' new life, nourishment, and fulfillment. 

• Ask God to show you, your family and friends areas that need to be humbly submitted to the Lord, laying down all before Him as the wise men did when they brought their gifts to baby Jesus.
• Ask God to help you, your family, and friends to give the damaged, flawed, and misshapen areas of life to the Lord, resulting in flourishing beautiful God-shaped lives for Him. 

 This post was taken from the book Grandparenting with a Purpose available for purchase at http://www.grandparentingwithapurpose.com. You still have time to order it and receive it for Christmas in the US at a discounted price of $10.50. It will make an excellent gift for the grandparents in your family.

Dear Father, I pray:  (Insert your child’s name)

1.  Resist Temptations

You will give ________wisdom and strength to withstand temptation. I Corinthians 10:13

2.  Protection

You will strengthen and protect ________from the evil one. II Thessalonians 3:3

3.  Self-control

______ will be self controlled and alert. Resist the enemy, standing strong in his/her faith.  I Peter 5:8,9

4.  Compassionate

________will become helpful, kind, tenderhearted and forgiving to others. Ephesians 4:32

5. Conversation/Words

________will let his/her conversation be gracious, as well as sensible. Colossians 4:5

6.  Wise Choices

You will show ________how to distinguish right from wrong and how to make wise choices. Proverbs 2:9

7. Not Misled

________will not be misled, remembering that he/she can’t ignore You and get away with it.  Galatians 6:7

8 . Sexual Purity

______will flee from sexual immorality and maintain purity for his/her future spouse.  I Corinthians 6:18

9. Know Right from Wrong

________will do what is right because knowing it and then not doing it is sin.  James 4:17

10. Refuse Evil

________will hate the gatherings of those who do evil and refuse to join in with the wicked. Psalm 26:5

11. Satisfaction

________will do his/her very best, for then he/she will have the personal satisfaction of work well done. Galatians 6:4

12. Self-centeredness

________will not just think about his/her own self, but be interested in others, and in what they are doing.  Philippians 2:4

• If you would like to receive a free downloadable copy of 31 Scriptures to Pray for Grandchildren email me at  lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

By Lillian Penner, National Prayer Coordinator, Christian Grandparenting Network

Are you looking for purpose in your life? If you are a grandparent you have a purpose, a mission field, a responsibility according to God’s Word. Moses told the Israelites, “Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to you children and to their children after them.” (Deut. 4:9)  I believe God wants us to with our children and grandchildren just a Moses told the Israelites how God has been there for us on our life journey.  

I want to share with you five benefits I found in the book I authored titled, Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for your Grandchildren.

1. Suggestions to imprint another generation with the message of God’s faithfulness.
2. Bridge the distance between me and my grandchildren with prayer
3. Creative resources to grandparent with a purpose
4. Examples of Scriptures to pray
5. How to develop a Photo Prayer Journal

Nancy Ann Yeager, author of A Grandmother’s Guide to Praying for Her Family writes, “Grandparenting with a Purpose will provide you with specific examples of how to pray Scriptures for your grandchildren.”

This book won’t make you the perfect grandparent, however, it will give you suggestions for prayer and communication to grandparent with a purpose. As a result of writing this book I was made more aware of grandparenting with a purpose by the way I live my life and intentionally praying for my nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and their parents. I am the National Prayer Coordinator of Christian Grandparenting Network and eager to share these resources with you.

Now you are at the point of making a decision: Are you going to learn how you can Grandparent with a Purpose as many have already?

The soft cover book, Grandparenting with Purpose retails for $11.99 plus shipping. At this time I have a special offer of $10.50 including shipping in the U.S. I will include a bonus of 2 prayer cards of “Suggestions to Pray for Children in School: Preschool, Elementary, High School and College” and “Scriptures to Pray for your Grandchildren.”

The eBook is available for $3.99 on Amazon.

To buy at the discount price now: Go to http://www.grandparentingwithapurpose.com click on the Purchase button, complete order form, and the book and bonus will be shipped immediately for orders in the U.S.

This book will make an excellent Christmas gift for a grandparent, especially a long distance grandparent.

For foreign orders I would suggest that you purchase the book in eBook form from Amazon.

By Lillian Penner, National Prayer Coordinator for Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

Since our world is in moral and spiritual decline, we are in a battle for the minds and hearts of our dear grandchildren. The enemy is trying to steal their lives and the plans God has for them. In addition to trying to destroy their faith, the enemy is trying to destroy the morals of our country, especially the family unit. It is urgent that we stand in the gap to pray for the spiritual, emotional, and physical protection of our grandchildren and their parents so they do not become victims of our culture.

For that reason, Christian Grandparenting Network has a passion to encourage and equip grandparents to pray for their grandchildren. Our mission is to challenge grandparents around the world to intentionally and regularly come together to pray, interceding for their grandchildren, children and communities. In the Pray! Magazine, Arlyn Lawrence writes, “Intercession is one of the ways God designed for us to partner with Him in bringing His loving presence into our aching world.”¹    

Therefore, we have organized “Grandparents@Prayer” (G@P) intercessory prayer groups. Our goal is to encourage grandparents to be prayer warriors through the personal discipline of intercessory prayer in the battle against the enemy. We encourage grandparents to meet together in small or large groups on a regular basis to unite in prayer at a designated location for 1 hour or longer of guided prayer and fellowship.

In Isaiah 58:6 we read that we can “loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke” in our world. One of the ways we can break these chains is by “standing in the gap” with prayer for our dear grandchildren. Today grandparents can stand in the gap with prayer for their grandchildren as the enemy threatens their spiritual lives.

Grandparents’ Day of Prayer is a great time to ask grandparents to join you in prayer and share about the Grandparents@Prayer intercessory prayer groups.

I have found uniting in prayer with other grandparents for my grandchildren is a special blessing for me. It’s a safe place to share my concerns for my grandchildren as they are growing up in our post-Christian culture.

We now have many G@P intercessory groups meeting in the U.S., Philippines, Canada and South Africa, in retirement Centers, schools, churches and homes.  We would like to see the number of G@P groups grow.. Some of the groups meet weekly, some twice a month or once a month, whatever the group desires.  

I want to challenge you to ask God whom He would like you to ask to pray with you for each other’s grandchildren. Ask your friends, church senior group, neighbors, family members or whomever.

To learn more go to https://www.christiangrandparenting.net/prayer/grandparents-prayer/introduction-to-g-p to read about the format, stories, locations and how to sign up to participate. You may also email me at lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

The legacy of a praying grandparent will live on forever.

By Lillian Penner, National Prayer Coordinator, Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net 

¹   Arlyn Lawrence, “It’s Not Just Who You Are-It’s Who You Know”, Pray! Magazine, Nov/Dec 2008, p.20. Colorado Springs, CO

₁.

Since our world is in moral and spiritual decline, we are in a battle for the minds and hearts of our dear grandchildren. The enemy is trying to steal their lives and the plans God has for them. In addition to trying to destroy their faith, the enemy is trying to destroy the morals of our country, especially the family unit. It is urgent that we stand in the gap to pray for the spiritual, emotional, and physical protection of our grandchildren and their parents so they do not become victims of our culture.

 For that reason, Christian Grandparenting Network has a passion to encourage and equip grandparents to pray for their grandchildren. Our mission is to challenge grandparents around the world to intentionally and regularly come together to pray, interceding for their grandchildren, children and communities. In the Pray! Magazine, Arlyn Lawrence writes, “Intercession is one of the ways God designed for us to partner with Him in bringing His loving presence into our aching world.”¹    

 Therefore, we have organized “Grandparents@Prayer” (G@P) intercessory prayer groups. Our goal is to encourage grandparents to be prayer warriors through the personal discipline of intercessory prayer in the battle against the enemy. We encourage grandparents to meet together in small or large groups on a regular basis to unite in prayer at a designated location for 1 hour or longer of guided prayer and fellowship.

In Isaiah 58:6 we read that we can “loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke” in our world. One of the ways we can break these chains is by “standing in the gap” with prayer for our dear grandchildren. Today grandparents can stand in the gap with prayer for their grandchildren as the enemy threatens their spiritual lives.

Grandparents’ Day of Prayer is a great time to ask grandparents to join you in prayer and share about the Grandparents@Prayer intercessory prayer groups.

I have found uniting in prayer with other grandparents for my grandchildren is a special blessing for me. It’s a safe place to share my concerns for my grandchildren as they are growing up in our post-Christian culture.

We now have many G@P intercessory groups meeting in the U.S., Philippines, Canada and South Africa, in retirement Centers, schools, churches and homes.  We would like to see the number of G@P groups grow.. Some of the groups meet weekly, some twice a month or once a month, whatever the group desires.  

I want to challenge you to ask God whom He would like you to ask to pray with you for each other’s grandchildren. Ask your friends, church senior group, neighbors, family members or whomever.

To learn more go to https://www.christiangrandparenting.net/prayer/grandparents-prayer/introduction-to-g-p to read about the format, stories, locations and how to sign up to participate. You may also email me at lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

The legacy of a praying grandparent will live on forever.

By Lillian Penner, National Prayer Coordinator, Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net 

¹   Arlyn Lawrence, “It’s Not Just Who You Are-It’s Who You Know”, Pray! Magazine, Nov/Dec 2008, p.20. Colorado Springs, CO

₁.

The school bells ring every fall for many of our grandchildren. One of my granddaughters started mid-August while the others start after Labor Day. The beginning of the school year can be a stressful experience for grandchildren with new teachers, new classmates, especially if they are going to a new school setting. They may have to adjust to new teachers, coaches, bus drivers, car pools, and other new situations.  

Our grandchildren are growing up and being educated in a time of global uncertainty, with peer pressures and temptations that we never experienced in our youth. We, as grandparents can help provide a hedge of protection for them, so they may be able to resist the temptations and deceptions they encounter, and experience, peace, joy, and success, as they navigate their world hostile to the truth.

Pray for Protection

Satan is trying to steal our children away from walking with God. Jesus says, “The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10 NLT) However, grandparents have the opportunity to pray for their protection from Satan and his demons, covering them with the armour of God and for them to experience the fullness of the Lord in their lives.

When we long for those hugs and kisses, and when we think of how much we miss our grandchildren, it is a good time to say a prayer for their physical, emotional and spiritual protection.

Send a Back to School Note

For the last few of years, I have sent my grandchildren in school a Back to school note telling them that we will be praying for them as they start a new school year. They may be facing frightening or uncomfortable situations, as they attend new schools, have new teachers, and make new friends. A note of encouragement from their grandparents may give them the confidence they need as they go back to school.

Grandma Sets her Alarm

I heard of a grandmother in Texas who sets the alarm on her cell phone each day at the time each of her grandchildren are going to school to remind her to pray for them.

Pray for the Adult Influences on your Grandchildren

Have you thought about praying for the many adults who influence your grandchildren? Are the adults involved in your grandchildren’s lives good role models?

Adults who have influence on your grandchildren may be their other grandparents, teachers, principal, coaches, carpool or bus driver, Sunday school teacher, children’s director, pastor, youth leaders, neighbors, scout leaders, extra-curricular activity teachers, doctors, etc.  Many other adult influences indirectly affect our grandchildren, such as their elected and appointed officials, (local, state and federal), TV programs, electronic games, musicians, textbook authors, media, fashion designers, etc.        

Ask your grandchild for their teacher’s name, if possible, meet their teacher and others involved in their lives so you know for whom you are praying. It makes praying more personable if you have an opportunity to tell them you are praying for them.  

In case you missed this offer a couple of weeks ago I am offering it again. I would love to send you a free Back to School E-book to help you intentionally pray for your grandchildren as they go back to school. Sign up (on the right side of page) for my blog updates and never miss a post on my website. Then I will send you a free download of “Suggestions to Pray for Grandchildren in School” (preschool thru college) and the “31 Scriptures to Pray for Children” as a bonus along with the E-book.

If you are already a subscriber, just send me an email requesting the Back to School E-book wit the bonus.  Leve a comment on my website or send me an email to:lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

Prayer for your grandchildren

Dear Lord, I pray my grandchildren will:

Desire to do their very best. Respect their teachers.

Choose friends, who will have a positive influence.

Recognize the deception of worldly thinking.

Eyes blinded to the temptations they face.

Have a balanced view of their beauty, charm, and strength.

Learn to be responsible for their actions and behavior. 

I pray the adult influences of my grandchild

will always speak the truth, model lives of integrity to the children.

Transport the children safely and looking out for the child’s best interest.

I pray they will make the children feel safe,

protecting them from verbal, emotional and physical abuse.

I pray they will be an encourager to the children.

Live blameless lives and do what is right.

Speak the truth with a sincere heart.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

By Lillian Penner, National Prayer Coordinator, Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

These children need grandparents to be intentional about the power of prayer to keep the hearts and minds of their grandchildren from falling captive to the enemy’s deception. We are engaged in a spiritual battle.

Listen to this short video by Cavin Harper, Executive Director of Christian Grandparenting Network. You will hear why there is an urgent need for grandparents to intentionally pray for their grandchildren.

https://youtu.be/-43UoHkPUBw

Will you join grandparents throughout the world to make the National Grandparents Day a Day of Prayer for our grandchildren and their parents?

Click on www.grandparentsdayofprayer.com to learn how you can be a part of Grandparents’ Day of Prayer on September 11.

Lillian Penner, National Prayer Coordinator, Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

I would like to share this Free Back to School E-book with you, giving you resources to pray effectively for your grandchildren as they go back to school. 

Some of our grandchildren will soon be going back to school in August and September, some are excited to be back in school, and however, some are anxious because of the unknown.

The beginning of the school year can be a stressful experience for children from preschool thru college. New teachers and staff, new classmates, new dorm roommates and unfamiliarity in a new school setting can leave children and youth vulnerable to all kinds of negative influences.

 Our grandchildren are growing up and being educated in a time of global uncertainty, with peer pressures and temptations that we never experienced in our youth. We, as grandparents can help provide a hedge of protection for them, so they may be able to resist the temptations and deceptions they encounter, and experience, peace, joy, and success, as they navigate their world hostile to the truth.

 Call to Action 

This Back to School Free E-book will encourage you and give you effective ways to intentionally pray such as Suggestions to Pray for School Children (Preschool thru college). The responses for the E-book was overwhelming last year, get your E-book soon.

I would love to send you this free E-book to help you intentionally pray for your grandchildren as they go back to school. Sign up (on the right side of page) for my blog updates and never miss a post on my website. Then I will send you a free download of “Suggestions to Pray for Grandchildren in School” (preschool thru college) and the “31 Scriptures to Pray for Children” as a bonus along with the E-book. If you are already a subscriber, just send me an email requesting the Back to School E-book with the bonus.  Leave a comment on my website or send me an email to:lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

Lillian Penner,

National Prayer Coordinator,

Christian Grandparenting Network.

Don’t forget to make National Grandparent’s Day

A Day of Prayer on September 11 as your grandchildren

 go Back to School.

Will your Family want your Jesus? Guest blog b y Rebecca Buckner Recently, I attended the funeral service of the mother of one of my good friends. The room was full but what impressed me so deeply was the testimony of her children. Time was not spent on her accomplishments, which, by the way, happened to be worth mentioning but the words spoken were a picture of her heart. I am not sure whether this was their original intent as they crafted their speeches. However, I have a feeling that as they began to describe who their mother was, the depth and breadth of the love for Jesus in her heart became their theme. An affection of love overflowed with tender words from these adult children as they spoke of their mother’s faith. I had ever met this woman but I knew in my heart that I wanted to be like her. As I listened to her children beautifully describe the mother and grandmother that had so impressed their hearts, I knew I wanted to have that same impact on my children and grandchildren. And then, I had an “Aha” moment. It was Jesus that so attracted me to this woman I had never met! It wasn’t her life that was so attractive; it was Jesus living through her that drew me to her. As a result, her children were portraying how their mother’s life was an outpouring of Jesus’ love for them and their families. I want to be like Jesus! I have a deep longing to live out my days in intimacy with my Savior. Proverbs 27:19 says, “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” What does the reflection of my “real person” look like? Do people see Jesus in me? Is my present commitment to meditate and know God’s Word enough to transform my life into one that truly reflects Jesus to my children and grandchildren? Is my investment in my spiritual growth and walk with the Lord one that will leave a spiritual legacy when I am no longer here? Do I demonstrate my faith as I walk with God through the storms and disappointments of life as well as the sunny days? Does God want me to make some adjustments in how I spend my time to better fulfill His purposes? Do I display an authenticity and sincerity in my relationship with God? Do I want my children and grandchildren to imitate my spiritual life? God is calling me to examine the deepest crevices of my heart. Will they want my Jesus? “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.” 3 John 1:4 Rebecca is a wife to Terry, mother of two, and grandmother of two. She lives on the lake and enjoys mornings and evenings on the porch, watching the wildlife and admiring God's creation. She is a prayer team member of the Christian Grandparenting Network and is passionate about leaving a spiritual legacy for her family.

If you have read my blogs and Face book postings I am sure you have noticed that I am passionate about praying for my grandchildren in my writings. I recognize the critical moral and spiritual environment my grandchildren must navigate in a world hostile to truth.

Recently Franklin Graham wrote, “Our nation is in serious trouble—we are in desperate need of Divine intervention. We need healing. Prayer is what can make a difference in America.”

Our grandchildren are growing up in a world that is not friendly to our faith in God. However, I feel God has given grandparents a sacred trust and a responsibility to imprint the next generation with His faithfulness. That is why we at Christian Grandparenting Network are calling grandparents worldwide to unite in prayer by participating in the Million Praying Grandparents campaign.

You may ask, “What is the Million Praying Grandparents campaign?” Million Praying Grandparents (MPG) is an imitative mobilizing Christian grandparents worldwide to regularly and intentionally unite in prayer for their grandchildren, families, and the influences in their grandchildren’s lives.

For the sake of the hearts, minds and souls of your grandchildren, will you say, “Yes! I will be one of the Million Praying Grandparents uniting in prayer.” Click on www.millionprayinggrandparents.com to sign up to participate in the campaign.

When you join the Million Praying Grandparents you will receive a FREE Prayer Guide of “Scriptures to Pray” designed to help you pray for your grandchildren.  Would you help us promote the Million Praying Grandparents initiative by sharing this post with your friends on social media and "like" its fan page? https://www.facebook.com/GrandparentDayOfPrayer

One of my favorite songs is "Find us Faithful" sung by Steve Green, who challenges us to leave footprints of God's faithfulness to those who come behind us. I hope you will listen to this song and find it challenging to leave a legacy to your grandchildren.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi-Mn5tRHvMIf you have any questions, email me at lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net.

If you subscribe for email updates each week with grandparenting resources on this website I will send you a Free Printable PDF copy of “Scriptures to Pray for Grandchildren.”

WILL YOU DO ME A FAVOR? If you found this post useful, will you share it with a friend, especially another grandparent? Thank you!

By Lillian Penner, National Prayer Coordinator, Christian Grandparenting Network

If you have read my blogs and Face book postings I am sure you have noticed that I am passionate about praying for my grandchildren in my writings. I recognize the critical moral and spiritual environment my grandchildren must navigate in a world hostile to truth.

Recently Franklin Graham wrote, “Our nation is in serious trouble—we are in desperate need of Divine intervention. We need healing. Prayer is what can make a difference in America.”

Our grandchildren are growing up in a world that is not friendly to our faith in God. However, I feel God has given grandparents a sacred trust and a responsibility to imprint the next generation with His faithfulness. That is why we at Christian Grandparenting Network are calling grandparents worldwide to unite in prayer by participating in the Million Praying Grandparents campaign.

You may ask, “What is the Million Praying Grandparents campaign?” Million Praying Grandparents (MPG) is an imitative mobilizing Christian grandparents worldwide to regularly and intentionally unite in prayer for their grandchildren, families, and the influences in their grandchildren’s lives.

For the sake of the hearts, minds and souls of your grandchildren, will you say, “Yes! I will be one of the Million Praying Grandparents uniting in prayer.” Click on www.millionprayinggrandparents.com to sign up to participate in the campaign.

When you join the Million Praying Grandparents you will receive a FREE Prayer Guide of “Scriptures to Pray” designed to help you pray for your grandchildren.  Would you help us promote the Million Praying Grandparents initiative by sharing this post with your friends on social media and "like" its fan page? https://www.facebook.com/GrandparentDayOfPrayer

One of my favorite songs is "Find us Faithful" sung by Steve Green, who challenges us to leave footprints of God's faithfulness to those who come behind us. I hope you will listen to this song and find it challenging to leave a legacy to your grandchildren.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi-Mn5tRHvMIf you have any questions, email me at lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net.

If you subscribe for email updates each week with grandparenting resources on this website I will send you a Free Printable PDF copy of “Scriptures to Pray for Grandchildren.”

WILL YOU DO ME A FAVOR? If you found this post useful, will you share it with a friend, especially another grandparent? Thank you!

By Lillian Penner, National Prayer Coordinator, Christian Grandparenting Network

Just as David was chosen for his generation God has positioned us, as grandparents for our generation with our personality and gifts for our families. We read in Acts 16:36 “ David served God’s purpose in his generation.”

According to Deuteronomy 4:9, God’s purpose for us, as grandparents is to teach God’s commands to our children and our children’s children. If Timothy’s grandmother Lois had not been faithful in passing on her faith to her daughter Eunice and grandson Timothy we would not have the books, I and II Timothy in the Bible today. This is a good generational example of the importance of passing on the faith to future generations. Lois is our forerunner who modeled grand mothering for us.

Isn’t it interesting that nowhere in the Bible does it say that the church has the primary responsibility to pass on our faith to the next generation? It makes clear that parents and grandparents are the principal conduit to instruct their children and grandchildren about God and his love for them.  

God has placed our children and grandchildren in our lives so we can be their prayer warriors and model a godly lifestyle. He has given us the awesome opportunity to partner with Him on their behalf. He has given me and my husband, 3 sons, 3 daughters-in-laws, 12 specific grandchildren and 4 great-granddaughters to pray for. He has given you your family members.

A family’s faith can be lost in one generation; however, we as parents and grandparents can be defenders of our faith.  We have the opportunity to powerfully touch the lives of another generation for Jesus Christ. That is why our children and grandchildren are our mission field and our responsibility. So they will not be helpless before their spiritual enemy.

My prayer is that you will experience God’s richest blessings as you grandparent with a purpose, as you invest in your spiritual lives and pray for your children, grandchildren, and future generations.

The most precious gift we can give our families

is the legacy of a praying grandparent.

Have you thought about your purpose as a grandparent?

Prayer

Lord, how do you want me to fulfill your purpose

for my children, grandchildren and future generations.

In Jesus’ name. Amen 

Will you make September 11 the National Grandparents’ Day

a Day of Prayer for your grandchildren?

To learn more about the Grandparents’ Day of Prayer

Click on http://www.grandparentsdayofprayer.com

I shared about the Grandparents Day of Prayer and the Million Praying Grandparents initiatives in an interview on “The River” radio program. If you would like to listen go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/krvr/2016/05/23/praying-grandparents

By Lillian Penner, National Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting Network

The Christian Grandparenting Network (CGN) recognizes the desperate moral and spiritual climate our grandchildren must navigate in a world hostile to truth. Satan has launched an aggressive attack on all fronts using media, technology, education, social influences and political pressures to desensitize and cloud the boundaries of truth and righteousness that hold nations and families together. Perhaps at no other time in our history is a call to prayer more urgently required than it is today.

Therefore, CGN is proclaiming September 11, 2016 as a National Grandparent’s Day of Prayer.

As a grandparent, God has entrusted you with a sacred responsibility to impress upon another generation the message of God’s faithfulness, grace, and to stand in the gap on their behalf through prayer and the power of Christ living through you. Assuming this responsibility means taking seriously the effectiveness of prayer to keep their hearts and minds from falling captive to the enemy’s deception. You are engaged in a spiritual battle requiring spiritual weapons.

On Sunday, September 11, 2016, Christian grandparents everywhere will be asked to stand in the gap together for our grandchildren just as Esther stood in the gap for her people in a desperate time. Together we will link arms with other grandparents in prayer for the sake of the next generations.

If you are interested in serving as an event organizer for the Grandparent's Day of Prayer in your church, the RESOURCE section on our website provides the necessary tools and resources to help you organize and implement a Grandparent’s Day of Prayer event at your church, school or neighbourhoods. Our hope is that thousands of churches will participate in the Grandparent's Day of Prayer. That will require people like you willing to step forward and make it happen.

If you are not interested in being a volunteer, then we invite you to join our Million Praying Grandparents who will be participating to pray on their own or with a small group. Our Lord taught that where two or three are gathered in His name, he is there is their midst. There is always something extraordinary and powerful about a group of people gathering to pray. I encourage you to participate with a group of grandparents during this time of prayer if possible. Sign up, to join the Million Praying Grandparent movement and we will keep you informed about events in your area and pass on to you suggestions and ideas for strengthening your prayer life.

Whether as a Volunteer or joining the Million Praying Grandparents movement, we need YOU to make the Grandparent’s Day of Prayer a reality in your church and community by getting the word out to everyone you can.

Click on www.grandparentsdayofprayer.com for more information

We look forward to linking arms with all of you on September 11, 2016 as we stand in the gap through prayer for our grandchildren, our families, our churches and our nation.

May God bless you and find you faithful.

Cavin T. Harper, CGN Executive Director and
Lillian A. Penner, CGN National Prayer Coordinator

Grandparent’s Day of Prayer- September 11, 2016  

Recently a Grandparent told me, “I am really worried because our grandchildren are growing up in a desperate moral and spiritual climate navigating in a world hostile to truth.” I agree, the enemy has launched an aggressive attack on all fronts using media, technology, education, social influences and political pressures. The boundaries of truth and righteousness that hold nations and families together are being desensitized and clouded.

One thing grandparents can do is to unite in fervent and intentional prayer to rescue our precious grandchildren from the aggressive attack of the enemy. Prayer is the most powerful weapon for praying grandparents to pull down strongholds.

In accordance with its mission Christian Grandparenting Network is asking grandparents all over the world to unite in prayer for their grandchildren on Sunday, September 11, 2016. This date coincides with the official United States National Grandparents Day designated by a Senate proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978.

With this in mind CGN is calling all praying grandparents to join together to participate in the Million Plus Praying Grandparents movement before September 11, 2016. Many grandparents will be joining in prayer with other grandparents in their homes, churches, and community and around the world for an intentional day of prayer on behalf of the next generation.

Imagine the difference grandparents can make in the world by praying daily, intentionally and deliberately for their grandchildren and their parents to walk wholeheartedly with the Lord. Now is the time to unite in one voice calling on God to rescue our grandchildren from the enemy. 

To indicate participation in the movement click here. www.millionprayinggrandparents.com

For additional information and to order promotional resources for Grandparents’ Day of Prayer click www.grandparentsdayofprayer.com.  If you have additional questions email me at lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net.

Please share this blog with your friends.

May God show favor on you as you pray for your grandchildren.

Lillian Penner,
National Prayer Coordinator
Christian Grandparenting Network

 Do you think God's timetable is too slow for you in answering your prayers? We read in John chapter 11, where Mary and Martha sent word to their dear beloved friend Jesus to let him know their brother Lazarus was sick. Mary and Martha became impatient when Jesus didn’t come when they thought He should come to heal Lazarus. However, Jesus had different plans, He told the disciples, and “This sickness will not end in death, No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it”.  Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus very much but stayed in Galilee teaching and healing the sick until the time was right to go for God to be glorified.   

Two days later Jesus told his disciples that it was time to go to Judea to see Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. However, when they arrived, they learned that Lazarus had been dead for four days. Martha told Jesus, “If You had come sooner my brother would not have died.” Jesus was deeply moved as he went to the grave, asking to have the stone removed from the tomb but Martha said, “But Lord, he’s been dead four days and stinketh.” Jesus told her “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God”. Then Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out” and Lazarus came out of the tomb.   

 We can learn several lessons from this story. When we pray asking God for something, we get discouraged as Mary and Martha did because our prayer isn’t answered on our timetable. However, think of all the people Jesus had the opportunity to heal and teach during those two days. Jesus, God’s Son knew the Father’s plan was to glorify his Son by raising Lazarus from the dead, not to heal Lazarus. Isn't it great that when we think God is four days late by our timetable He is still on time?    

Our finite minds simply cannot grasp God’s infinite ways for answering our prayers. We have no idea how many times we have prayed and He is waiting for the proper time to answer. God often needs to work in our hearts, our character or the person we are praying for before he can answer our prayers. God’s way and timing is always perfect, he knows best, even when we think he is too late, He is still on time.    

• Is God's timetable too slow for you at times?
• Are you getting tired of waiting on God to answer your prayers?
• Are you disappointed and frustrated because God is not answering on your timetable?
• Does God want to develop character in your life or in the lives of your loved ones before He is ready to answer?
• How do you respond when God does not answer your prayers according to your plans? 

Prayer:

Dear Father, I want to thank you for the privilege to bring my concerns to you.

Give me patience as I wait for you to work out your plan and your timing

to answer my prayers.

Help me to trust you and your Word as I wait for your answers to my prayers.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Lillian Penner

_________________________________________________________

Praying Grandparents are in a battle for the next generation, however the battle isn't ours, it is the Lords. We read in II Chronicles 20:15, "Do not be afraid or discouraged . . . . For the battle is not yours but Gods." The way to walk through this battle is to grip the hand of Jesus tightly and stay in close communication with him.   

It is only as we release our concerns for our grandchildren and their parents we are free to cling to the hand of Jesus. It is hard to cling to His hand when our hands are full of our concerns and worries, we need empty hands to hold His hand.  

Imagine the impact in our world if Million Plus grandparents who are Prayer Warriors clinging to the hand of Jesus committing their grandchildren and their parents to Him.

In an attempt by secular humanists to develop a secular society, they have very strategically and very intentionally whittled away at our Godly heritage. Today it is urgent for grandparents to unite in mass numbers in prayer for the next generation.  

If you are a grandparent and grasp the urgency for prayer and believe in the power of prayer I urge you to join the many who are signing up for the Million Praying Grandparents. When grandparents sign up they are declaring their commitment to pray intentionally for their grandchildren, their parents and outside influences.

 As a way of saying thanks for that commitment, you will receive a free printable PDF download of a prayer resource of Scriptures to Pray to help you pray for their grandchildren using God’s Word.

To sign up go to www.millionprayinggrandparents.com

By Lillian Penner, Prayer Coordinator for Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

Have you seen the Facebook post that reads, “I wouldn’t change my grandkids for the world, but I would like to change the world for my grandkids?” As I was thinking about the quote, I was reminded there is something we as grandparents, can do to change the world for our precious grandchildren by link arms with other grandparents to intercede for our grandchildren. We can pray they will develop a soft heart for Jesus and learn to know and follow Him wholeheartedly. 

In today’s broken world, Satan’s purpose is to destroy the family. It is important that we pray God will give the parents of our grandchildren wisdom and time management in their monumental task of guiding our grandchildren in the ways of the Lord. They live in the midst of a busy and evil environment filled with many spiritual battles.   

For that reason, Christian Grandparenting Network has a passion to encourage and equip grandparents to pray for their grandchildren. Our mission is to challenge grandparents around the world to intentionally and regularly come together to pray, interceding for their grandchildren, children and communities world. 

CGN have organized “Grandparents@Prayer” (G@P) intercessory prayer groups. Our goal is to encourage grandparents to be prayer warriors through the personal discipline of intercessory prayer in the battle against the enemy. We encourage grandparents to meet together in small or large groups on a regular basis to unite in prayer at a designated location for 1 hour or longer of guided prayer and fellowship.  

In Isaiah 58:6 we read that we can “loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke” in our world. One of the ways we can break these chains is by “standing in the gap” with prayer for our dear grandchildren.  Just as Esther stood in the gap for her people, the Jews, when they were physically threatened. Today grandparents can stand in the gap with prayer for their grandchildren as the enemy threatens their spiritual lives. 

I have found uniting in prayer with other grandparents for my grandchildren is a special blessing for me. We now have a number of G@P intercessory groups meeting in about 20 states, Canada and South Africa, in retirement Centers, schools, churches and homes. Some of the groups meet weekly, some twice a month or once a month, whatever the group desires.  

I want to challenge you to ask God whom He would like you to ask to pray with you for each other’s grandchildren. Ask your friends, church senior group, neighbors, family members or whomever. Check out this website to learn more about the G@P prayer groups and complete the form and I will send you additional information.

http://www.christiangrandparenting.net/prayer/grandparents-prayer/participate-in-gap

You may also email me at lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

God told the Israelites, “I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring

and my blessing on your descendants.” Isaiah 44:3,

 By Lillian Penner

National Prayer Coordinator for Christian Grandparenting Network

In the Northwest, where we have four seasons the beautiful tulips are in full bloom reminding us of the new life that spring brings, the cherry trees are loaded with blossoms. It is a beautiful time of the year with the trees and plants that have lied dormant during the cold winter months are getting new life almost over night.   

During the winter months, many of our areas experience harsh cold snowy weather. However, as spring approaches it gives us the hope of warmth, beautiful gardens, and landscapes. As it warms our spirit, we become alive and more energetic.    

We often go through seasons in our prayer lives where we do not take the time to read and meditate on God’s Word or pray intentionally for our families or ourselves. We pray but our prayers may become humdrum, repetitive, or seem pointless.   

That was my experience a number of years ago, I felt the prayers for my children, and grandchildren were very general, superficial, and powerless. I prayed they would be safe, have a good day and I would be go on through my day since I didn’t live near them, and didn’t know their immediate need.    

However, that all changed after I asked God to give me wisdom and insight about how I could pray for them intentionally. Praying intentionally means a determination to pray in a certain way, done by intention or design. Asking God for direction and reading several books about prayer, I was encouraged. I gained some tools to help me to pray intentionally and regularly for my children and grandchildren.    

The Bible, God’s Word was the greatest resource I discovered to help me with my praying, not only for my family but also for myself. We read in Hebrews 4:12 (in the Amplified version), “The Word of God is alive and full of power, making it active, operative, energizing, and effective.” it was alive and full of power, bringing energy into my prayers. Personalizing God’s Word in our prayers releases His supernatural power and His presence in my life.    

 In praying scripture, I not only find myself in intimate communication with God, but my mind is being renewed to think His thoughts, about the situation I am praying for, instead of mine. Ultimately, God shrinks what I thought as impossible to a possibility and gives me peace as I wait for His answer.   

As we start claiming God’s promises and personalizing the scriptures, we will experience more confidence and boldness in our praying. Nothing threatens the ENEMY more than when we are intentionally praying God’s Word for children, grandchildren, and ourselves. 

 As you experience the spring, season approaching in your area I hope your thoughts will turn to accessing your prayer life for your children, grandchildren, and yourself. If you are in a WINTER season in your prayer life and you have not been spending time with the Lord regularly or in prayer, allow the spring season to bring new life to your prayers.    

Prayer:

Dear Father, as I am reading your Word, show me the scriptures I can pray for my family and myself. Help me to set an appointment with you each day and show me how you would like me to be an intentional prayer warrior for my family. In Jesus’ name.

I have developed thirty-one “Scriptures to Pray for Grandchildren” that I have found very helpful to pray for my grandchildren. Join our mailing list for updated blogs and grandparenting suggestions and I will send you a free downloadable copy of “Thirty-one Scriptures to Pray for your Grandchildren”.   

By Lillian Penner

National Prayer Coordinator

Christian Grandparenting Network

lpenner@christiangrandparetning.net