By Lillian Penner
If you visit a Hallmark store at the start of September, you’ll discover cards for National Grandparents Day. This holiday, signed into proclamation by President Jimmy Carter, occurs the Sunday after Labor Day. Are you aware that Grandparents Day of Prayer coincides with National Grandparents Day?
Stand for Truth Through Prayer
Truth is under assault everywhere, including our schools, political arenas, marketplaces and churches. It’s not easy navigating a world hostile to truth in this post-Christian culture. Satan is relentless in his aggressive attack to desensitize mankind to the truth of the Gospel’s message. We find ourselves involved in a spiritual tug-of-war for the hearts, minds and souls of our children and grandchildren.
Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons. The strongest weapon in our arsenal is prayer. We need to get on our knees, humble ourselves, seek God’s face, repent of our sin and intercede on behalf of our children, and grandchildren. Then having done all, we must stand firm in our faith that God has heard and will answer our prayers according to His will.
“Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed . . . for the battle is not yours but God’s.” (2 Chron. 20:15).
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20).
Help Organize a Prayer Event
In the past, united prayer has bridged the gap between a great need and a great awakening! Our hope is that thousands of churches and groups will host a prayer event for this special day. The event could be held in your church, home, retirement complex or any meeting location you choose. It can be as simple or complex as you want it to be.
You may want to host a prayer breakfast or a luncheon following your morning worship. Or you may want to offer an afternoon tea or evening dessert in your home. Food is optional; prayer is key!
Christian Grandparenting Network will provide step-by-step guidelines, resources, and online tools to help engage grandparents in prayer for your event.
Visit www.grandparentsdayofprayer.com for endorsements, testimonials, promotional materials, and free downloads.
Lillian Penner is the author of Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for Your Grandchildren and national co-director for Christian Grandparenting Network’s prayer ministry. An avid blogger, Lillian breaks into smiles if you ask about her 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She and her husband, John, live in Portland, Oregon, where they are active in church ministries.