Grandparents Day of Prayer and National Grandparents Day are similar but not the same. To understand their similarities and differences, we need to examine both, starting with National Grandparents Day.
National Grandparents Day
After a three-year battle that began in 1970, West Virginia housewife Marian McQuade convinced her state Congress to commemorate grandparents with a special day. This commemoration honored grandparents, provided them an opportunity to express their love for their grandchildren, and raise community awareness about the gifts grandparents can offer.The flower of the U.S. National Grandparents Day is the forget-me-nots.
Five years later, the United States Congress passed legislation declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. They selected September because September denotes the autumn season of life. President Jimmy Carter gave his endorsement by signing the proclamation.
Grandparents Day of Prayer
In 2010, author Lillian Penner suggested a day of prayer to coincide with National Grandparents Day. Thanks to Mrs. Penner’s efforts, churches around the world observe Grandparents Day of Prayer. They encourage grandparents to pray for their grandchildren, both in private and corporate settings.
o you recognize the importance of praying for your grandchildren and their parents? Do you want to encourage others to pray for their grandchildren? If so, may I suggest hosting an event to celebrate Grandparents Day of Prayer?
You may want to host a prayer breakfast or a luncheon following your morning worship. Or you may want to offer an afternoon tea or evening dessert in your home. Perhaps your minister is willing to address the importance of praying grandparents and set aside a special prayer time during the worship service. The possibilities are endless. It is imperative; however, grandparents gather to pray for their grandchildren.
Conclusion
Both Grandparents Day of Prayer and National Grandparents Day occur on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year's date is September 9th. Both commemorate the vital role grandparent’s play in the family. The fundamental difference between the two is Grandparents Day of Prayer encourages grandparents to pray for the hearts, souls, and minds of their grandchildren.
We are asking grandparents throughout the world to unite in prayer for their grandchildren and their parents. We realize that Grandparents Day in your country may not be on September 9 this year. We would like you to ask you to participate in your Grandparents Day making it a day of prayer whenever it is observed.
On our website, christiangrandparenting.net/grandparents-day-of-prayer/, you will find two ways that you can participate in Grandparents’ Day of Prayer.
- You can pray. Click Here to Signup and Download your copy of the 30-Day Challenge. Participants who register will receive an eBook “30 days of Prayers for your Grandchildren”.
- You can gather and lead other grandparents in prayer. If you are willing to organize a Grandparents’ Day of Prayer event in your church, home, retirement complexes, etc., click on “To find out more about becoming a volunteer.” to follow the process. You too will receive the eBook “30 Days of Prayers for your Grandchildren”.
If you realize the urgency for a Day of Prayer for our grandchildren and their parents, will you help us call grandparents to join in prayer on September 9th?Christian Grandparenting Network is prepared to provide step-by-step guidelines, resources and online tools for creating successful events.
Please check our website grandparentsdayofprayer.comfor more information, testimonials, promotional materials and free downloads.
For additional information or if you have any questions, please contact me.
Thank you for your consideration to participate in this event.
If you have questions or additional information, email Lillian Penner, lpenner@christiangrandparentinng.netor Deborah Haddix, Deborah@deborahhaddix.com, Coordinators.
Guest blog by Sherry Schumann, Co-Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting Network
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