Senior Scene
In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday of September to be National Grandparents Day. The purpose was “to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.”
As Christian grandparents, we should value this day as a Call to Prayer for our adult children and grandchildren. There are critical battles raging in this world today. God has entrusted the grandparent with the responsibility to equip and inspire next generations with the message of God’s grace and love and to seriously consider how the power of prayer may affect their lives. Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons of which prayer is the mightiest of them all. As grandparents at the frontline of the battle with our own hearts of repentance and humility offered first, we must stand in the gap to intercede for our adult children and grandchildren. Ephesians 6:13 says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
However, let’s be honest. Author and prayer advocate T.W. Hunt stated that prayer “is our holy occupation.” Prayer is work! Praying for the hearts and minds of our adult children and grandchildren who may be out of our reach and influence can be trying. In truth, they may already be in the throes of the enemy finding us fighting an uphill battle for their redemption and eternal security. Personally, I consistently seek out resources and encouragement to pray for my family and sometimes rest on Romans 8:26 which says, “…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” This is a promise I can trust knowing the Holy Spirit understands my heart and the hearts and needs of my grandchildren better than I know myself.
The sound truth is that “grandparents have an important spiritual role to play” as stated by Larry Fowler, founder of Legacy Coalition. Legacy Coalition is the creator of the only National Conference on Christian Grandparenting in the country. Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham is honored to host the 2025 Legacy Grandparenting Summit February 21-22, 2025. Registration for this epic event featuring Anne Graham Lotz will open September 1, 2024. Visit www.legacycoalition.com/summit for more information.
Additional resources. Three trusted online resources offering encouraging prayers, Scripture prayer cards, books on prayer, prayer challenges and prompts may be found at: www.christiangrandparenting.com; www.deborahhaddix.com/resources/prayer; and www.sherryschumann.com.
-Cynthia Moss
GrandLife Director/Editor
Grandparenting Ministry of Shades Mountain Baptist Church
