How do you Influence Your Grandchildren?

We are living in challenging times, shaken by the unrest in the world around us. As we listen to the news it seems like our world is sinking further into moral and spiritual depravity. Absolutes are not recognized and authority questioned. As grandparents, we fear for the future of our grandchildren. The media-driven culture is trying to desensitize them and many of their role models are disappointing them. God is being pushed to the perimeter of our culture at the time when we really need Him.

The GRAND magazine statistics show there are over 70 million grandparents in the United States. Not all the grandparents are Christians. However, can you imagine the influence godly grandparents could have? Our grandchildren need godly grandparents to stand in the gap by praying deliberately and modeling godly lives.

When you get discouraged after listening to the daily events on the newscast, have you thought about you respond? Do you get discouraged, complain, or worry how it might affect your family? We read in Psalm 25:4-6, “One generation will commend your works to another, they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty . . .They will tell of the power of your awesome works and I will proclaim your great deeds.”

Grandparents are to be influencers

We influence our grandchildren whether purposely or unknowingly. God’s Word tells us we are to influence others toward God and His purposes, especially our own children and grandchildren. We have a wonderful opportunity to share how God has brought us though the challenges and difficulties in our lives when we trusted Him. Even though our journey in life may be difficult at times, God will walk with us.

What are some ways grandparents can spiritually influence their grandchildren? In the Psalms, we read that we are to tell them about the power of God’s mighty works in our lives. God has given us two resources that we can use in order to maximize our influence for His glory.

Here are the two resources:

1. Prayer - God has given us the avenue of prayer as the best weapon against the evil in our world today. Nothing threatens the enemy more than grandparents praying intentionally and regularly for their grandchildren. When we pray according to God’s Word, we are in line with His will; it enables us to pray with direction, power, and wisdom. As we start claiming God’s promises and personalizing the scriptures, we will experience more confidence and boldness in our praying.

It is God who works in the lives of our grandchildren; however, we have the opportunity to intercede in their behalf for them to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to their hearts. Our prayers can open the door for God to work in their hearts but they still have to choose to cooperate with Him.

I want to share part of a letter from my oldest granddaughter which is a confirmation that praying for these precious grandchildren is never a wasted effort. She wrote:

Your phone calls, cards, and emails were encouraging and made a significant impact on my life, especially in my teenage and college years. Your prayers and encouragement have been rock-solid reminders of God’s truth in my incredible, crazy life-shaping years, and now in my married life. Your prayers help me surrender the craziness of my life to God.

2. Example – Another powerful tool that God has given us to influence our grandchildren is the example of our own lives. However, He has given us His example of how to live a godly life in His Word. As grandparents, we can be a great influence in how we live our lives. On the way to a restaurant the other day, another granddaughter said, “Tell them I am only eleven years old even though I am twelve years old now, then I can eat for the children’s price”. It was a good time to be a good example and not lie about her age. “In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” Titus 2:7

Is your attitude toward the moral and spiritual depravity of our nation one of acceptance, indicating there is nothing we can do about it? It is just the sign of the times. However, on the other hand, is your attitude one of concern, praying, and trusting the Lord to walk with us during these difficult times? Are you praying that truth will stand and the deceit exposed?

The power of God is the only thing big enough in the world to help us rise above the economic, hostile conditions of our world and the difficult things we face in life. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10, 11, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” When we invest in our spiritual lives by being in the Word and growing strong in our walk with the Lord, we will have a positive, spiritual influence on our grandchildren.

Are the grandchildren God has placed in your life a priority in you prayers? Do your family members see authenticity in your life and your relationship with God? Will your grandchildren say, “Grandpa and grandma really do believe who God is and that He can do what He says He will do. I want to follow their example in my life.”

Here’s a prayer you can pray for your grandchildren: “Dear Lord, thank you for my grandchildren. Help me to value them in the same way you value them. Help me to be a loving grandparent who seeks to understand my grandchildren. Work through me so they will see Jesus in me. In Jesus name.

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