The Grandparent’s Prayer
Psalm 71:18
Today is a national holiday. It’s Grandparent’s Day, signed into law by President Jimmy Carter after an unanimous vote from Congress in September of 1978.
What is a Grandparent?
Taken from papers written by a class of 8 year olds:
- Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people’s.
- A grandfather is a man grandmother.
- Grandparents don’t have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn’t play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.
- When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.
- They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers and also why we shouldn’t step on "cracks."
- Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes.
- They wear glasses and funny underwear.
- They can take their teeth and gums out.
- When they read to us, they don’t skip. They don’t mind if we ask for the same story over again.
- Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don’t have internet, because they are the only grown ups who like to spend time with us.
- They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us every time, and kiss us even when we’ve acted bad.
- A 6 year old was asked where his grandma lived. ’’Oh,’’ he said, ’’She lives at the airport, and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport."
We owe a lot to our grandparents. They have the warmth of a parent; the wisdom of the sages; and the heart of a child. And over five million American children live with their grandparents. Here are some wonderful grandparent quotes to remind us of these unsung heroes.
Sam Levenson
The simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent.
Judith Levy
When a child is born, so are grandmothers.
Italian Proverb
If nothing is going well, call your grandmother.
Hannah Whithall Smith
If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should advise every one of you straight away to become one.
Florence King, Reflections in a Jaundiced Eye
"The proliferation of support groups suggests that too many Americans are growing up in homes that do not contain a grandmother."
Anoynymous
Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting.
Life offers
no greater privilege.
no greater responsibility,
no greater joy
than the training of the next generation!
Generations I will never know will reap what I sow!
Do your grandchildren remember promises you make to them? Grandparents need to be careful what they promise their grandchildren. Charles Spurgeon, great preacher of long ago, when he was just a boy his grandmother told him that she would give him a penny for every hymn he learned. Only problem was that his grandfather promised little Charles a quarter for every rat he killed! Guess where little Charles placed the greater value?
Christianity is only one generation from extinction!
Grandparents are to instill belief in the next generation!
Psalm 71:17-18
17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.
(NIV)
Bless your grandchildren with breakthroughs!
Facts about breakthroughs:
1) Breakthroughs help us reach our potential!
2) Breakthroughs pave the way to success!
Psalm 78:2-8
2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old--
3 what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their forefathers-- a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.
(NIV)
3) Breakthroughs always carry a price tag!
4) Breakthroughs take place…
when we hurt enough to be willing to change,
when we learn enough that we want to change,
when we receive enough to be able to change!
2 Timothy 1:5-6
5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
(NIV)
Psalm 102:18
18 Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:
(NIV)
The blessing you will give to your grandchildren,
their inheritance,
begins with this prayer:
Psalm 71:18
18 And now that I am old and gray, don’t forsake me.
Give me time to tell this new generation
(and their children too)
about all your mighty miracles.
(The Living Bible)
Your grandchildren need to know that God can still do what God has always done and He is doing it in you! While it’s good to tell your grandchildren stories of God’s incredible deeds recorded in the Bible, you also need to tell them how God has worked in your life. They may be amazed at the Biblical account but they will be impacted when they see your faith in action!
Will you pray for your grandchildren? The question is not will our children and grandchildren have faith, but will our faith have children and grandchildren?
Will you pray that your children will find Godly spouses so that you can have Godly grandchildren? Will you ask God to help you influence and impact your grandchildren toward faith? Christianity is only one generation from extinction!
