In the Northwest of the United States 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 also. It is a beautiful time of the year with the trees and plants that have lain 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 when 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 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.
Here are several examples of Scriptures to Pray for your grandchildren.
Accept Advice_______ will listen to constructive criticism and correction, and through it gain understanding. Proverbs 15:31, 32
Anger _______will be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19
Anxiety_______will cast all his/her anxieties and disappointments on You to experience your care for him/her. I Peter 5:7
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.
By Lillian Penner
National Prayer Coordinator
Christian Grandparenting Network
lpenner@christiangrandparetning.net
Lillian Penner is the author of Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for your Grandchildren, the National Prayer Coordinator for Christian Grandparenting Network, speaker, and blogger. She has been active in church ministry for over fifty seven years. Lillian and her husband, John, currently reside in Portland, Oregon; have three sons and nine grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. They enjoy spending time with their family, traveling and listening to Southern Gospel music. They both were raised in Christian homes and desire to pass on their godly heritage to their future generations.
- Ch…ch…ch…CHANGES Are Coming in 2017 for TMI - December 27, 2016
- What New Thing Are You Ready to See God Do in Your Life in 2017? - December 26, 2016
- Heaviness and Newness - December 23, 2016
