GRANDMOTHERS – SPIRITUAL ROLE MODELS 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, First and Second 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. (II Timothy 1:5) 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.
Many grandparents are greatly concerned their children are not passing on the values and faith by which they were raised. Therefore, grandparents have a crucial role to fill if faith is to be found on earth when Jesus comes back for his own. The demonstration of a faithful walk with the Lord and prayers for our grandchildren is a powerful way to pass on the love of Christ to the next generation.
Grandmother’s Role The role of godly grandparents is to communicate their faith in Jesus Christ and pray diligently for their grandchildren. We are also to tell future generations how God has walked with us and demonstrated his mighty works in our lives. God is waiting for us to ask Him for opportunities if we are overwhelmed with how to be a godly influence on your grandchildren. God has given us the responsibility and power to set a positive example. We do affect our grandchildren one way or another, in a positive or negative fashion. In Proverbs 27:19, we read, “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person” (NLT). What does the reflection of our “real person” look like? When we are committed to read and meditate on God’s Word, we reflect a life transformed into his image. As we invest in our own walk with the Lord, we are spiritually investing in the lives of our grandchildren by modeling a godly example. As spiritual role models, we demonstrate the reality of our faith by walking with God through both the stormy and sunny days of our lives.
We, as grandmothers love to give gifts to our grandchildren, however, the greatest and most lasting gift we can give them is to be their prayer intercessor, affecting and imprinting their generation with God’s faithfulness. The material things we leave our grandchildren are temporary; however, our prayers and examples can make a significant impact on them for a lifetime. Our greatest blessings will come when we observe the results of our answers to prayer in the lives of our grandchildren. Even though we may go to heaven before God answers our prayers, our prayers will be deposits in their spiritual trust fund. With the pressure on families today, grandchildren need our hugs, reassurance, and wisdom more than ever. It is also imperative for us to communicate to our grandchildren our love for them and accept them, even though we may not accept their behavior. In today’s broken world, Satan’s purpose is to destroy the family. It is imperative that we pray God will give the mothers and fathers of our dear grandchildren godly wisdom in the monumental task of teaching and guiding them in the ways of the Lord.
Do your grandchildren see an authenticity and sincerity about you in your relationship with God? What a blessing it would be for me to hear my grandchildren say, “I want to have a relationship with the Lord like my grandmother modeled for me.” I hope I can say in the years to come, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children and grandchildren are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4).
Ask yourself:
• What kind of memories will my grandchildren have of me when I pass away? • Is my walk with the Lord what I want reflected in the lives of my grandchildren?
• Do I want my grandchildren to imitate my spiritual life?
• Will they want my Jesus? • Will my love for God keep on living through my grandchildren, even after I am deceased?
Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me when I have not taken the time to be in your Word or modeled the life of a godly grandparent. Help me to take the time to read and meditate on your Word every day so I will reflect Your face in the heart of my grandchildren. Help me to be a godly example, teaching my grandchildren to live lives of truth with integrity, authenticity, and seriousness. Help me to give sound, wise, wholesome counsel and guidance, encouraging my grandchildren to know and follow Christ wholeheartedly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Note: Christian Grandparenting Network is forming Grandparents@Prayer (G@P) groups all over the United States. I would like to ask grandparents to join me to stand in the G@P to pray for your dear grandchildren on a virtual G@P group on Pray! Network. Please share your prayer requests and we will join you in interceding for your grandchildren.
Lillian Penner
National Prayer Coordinator
Christian Grandparenting Network
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