“Never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT).
“Who will pray for me now?” our teenage son asked when he lost both grandparents within months.
His question startled me. He knew my husband and I prayed for him every day. But he also knew that my parents had prayed aloud for him daily for sixteen years. If he had a French horn competition or challenging test, they prayed—and he felt their prayers in God’s answers. Now he sensed a loss, missing not only his grandparents, but also their prayer support. He wondered, Will I be successful without their prayers? Indeed, who would pray for him now?
His question prompted me to join a weekly prayer group. Perhaps our group’s united prayers could replace his grandparents’ powerful prayers. I also tucked my son’s question away in my heart, knowing someday I might have grandchildren who would need my prayers.
That was 25 years ago. During those years I prayed each week with other moms, and God answered in wonderful and specific ways. Our son received a full scholarship and graduated from a Christian university. Our daughter became a first-grade teacher at the school of her choice. God helped our children and us during the best and worst of times, providing grace during serious illness and loss.
Together we prayed each other’s children through high school, college, and first jobs. As we prayed, some children married, became parents, and some have even become grandparents themselves. God has been faithful to us during these 25 years of praying.
Now with five precious grandchildren of my own, I still pray weekly with other grandmothers. Also, my husband and I pray aloud together for our children and grandchildren each night at bedtime. The fruit of my parents’ prayers and our prayers continues. What a privilege to daily place our family and friends into God’s loving hands.
No matter what stage of life you’re in, and no matter what trials or joys you face, keep praying. Be assured that God hears and answers and that you will reap the fruit of your prayers.
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:1–2 NIV).
Adapted from Lydia’s Bible study, Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting: For Grandparents at Any Stage of the Journey
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Reading God’s Story Schedule today, 9/24/13: Esther 6-10.
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About Lydia Harris
Lydia E. Harris is happily married to Milt, her sweetheart for 48 years. She has two married children, five grandkids, and is the author of a Bible study, "Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting" (AMG Publishers, 2010 release). She's also a tea enthusiast and writes the column "A Cup of Tea with Lydia."
