NOTE: During Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to service by giving alms, and to practice self-control through fasting and abstinence. This is the first article in a three-part Lenten series of articles encouraging “Godly Grandparenting During Lent.” Today, we discuss Prayer.
We are all fully aware of the craziness and challenges we face in today’s post-Christian culture. But it is most challenging for us to face the reality of our grandchildren growing up in such a perilous environment.
Most Catholic grandparents know all too well the challenges we faced in our younger years and the difficulty of remaining or returning faithful to Christ and the Church; challenges of facing the various cultural pressures of our own youth and our successes and failures. Now, as a grandparent we look upon our grandchildren and consider the myriad of serious, daunting challenges they face in this culture. It can be frightening and, for many, discouraging.
As the grandparent of sixteen grandkids, I understand the concerns and even fears about what our own grandchildren will face and their ability to live virtuous lives in the midst of such spiritual chaos. But I am also encouraged to know that all is not lost. Christ is still in charge and His grace can and does make the difference.
I have found the simple act of praying for my grandchildren each day brings deep peace. Living in the knowledge that He loves my grandchildren even more than I do, is not only comforting but a profound truth that I have come to rely on.
I’ll also admit the challenge to pray for each one can be daunting. But praying for our grandchildren is one of the most efficacious and rewarding practices we can engage in as grandparents, as well as one of the most important.
Setting aside time every day to intentionally pray for each grandchild is a wonderful habit to develop as much for me as for our grandchildren. When I pray for them I try to imagine not only who they are right now in their lives but also who they might become. I envision them in both their current life situations as well as their lives as young adults and adults.
One of the great realizations about grandparenting is knowing that we stand at the head of a multigenerational family. Some are living now but the vast majority will be born after our passing. Of the need for us to plant trees under which we will not rest; that our life and prayers can bear fruit well beyond our own lives. This perspective reminds me of the blessing that God gave to Abraham and Sarah concerning being blessed for generations to come.
Praying can be difficult for some to begin on a regular basis. Remember that developing the habit of prayer is the important goal at first. Praying consistently and developing a repeatable prayer time is best than how long you pray, when getting started.
On simple acronym, ACTS, is an effective way of remembering how we might begin building a prayer routine:
A is for Adoration or praise.
C is for Contrition. (Asking for forgiveness)
T is for Thanksgiving. (To establish a grateful spirit)
S is for Supplication or requests.
As we pray for our grandchildren, utilizing each of these aspects of prayer will be a good starting point. I would also suggest you pray for each grandchild by name.
Here is a straightforward way to apply these to praying for your grandchildren:
Adoration: Express your love and praise to the Lord for allowing you to be part of my grandchildren’s lives.
Contrition: We all experience times where grandparenting can be challenging. Express your deep sorrow for the times you have not shown Christ’s love to your grandchild. Ask for forgiveness for any hurtful or discouraging words or actions that I might have been directed towards your grandchildren.
Thanksgiving: Thank God for the gift of your grandchildren. Thank Him for allowing you to collaborate in some small way in bringing them to a deeper relationship with Christ. Thank Him for your adult children’s role in raising your grandchildren in the Faith.
Supplication: Ask Jesus to watch over your grandchildren, keeping them from harm and the temptations of Satan. Ask for the grace to be mindful of your vocation to model and mentor your love to each of your grandchildren so that they might grow in love for you and faithfulness to your Holy Church.
Here are a few other intercessory prayers grandparents pray that focus on your grandchildren’s future.
Pray for Growth in Grace. Lord, we all are in need of Your grace to remain faithful to in all we do. Bless our grandchild with Your mercy and grace especially in times when they are likely to encounter challenges in their lives from friends, circumstances, and temptations; to act in keeping with Your will. Pray they grow in love and faith through the reception of your sacraments.
Prayer of Protection. Lord watch over and protect my grandchildren from harm.
Let them know of Your love and Your care for them wherever they go.
We also ask for the protection of our grandchildren from their guardian angel. These guardians are assigned at birth and mediate God’s protection for your grandchild.
Prayer for Perseverance. Lord help my grandchildren to remain faithful to You and Your Church throughout their lives. Please be present to them in a manner that encourages their faithfulness for their entire lives.
Prayer for Boldness. Lord bless my grandchildren to live a life that is a tangible witness to Your glory and grace to all those they encounter. Give them a spirit of boldness in sharing the truth of the Gospel and the humility to do so with gentleness and charity.
Prayer for their Vocation. Lord help my grandchildren to hear Your call on their lives and to respond in accordance with your deepest desire for them. Give them the strength to be open to understand and embrace the unique vision and purpose You have planned for them.
Finally, I would recommend grandparents consider not only praying FOR their grandchildren, but WITH their grandchildren. If you live close, Lent is a wonderful time to attend Mass together, pray the Stations of the Cross with them, and perhaps even have them join you on a weekly basis to pray together. If they are young, simply saying the traditional Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be can be sufficient. If they are older, perhaps sharing in prayer for success in staying committed to their Lenten practice they have chosen to do. If you grandkids are out of town, consider utilizing technologies like FaceTime to join them in prayer or to encourage them during Lent. The point is to be a living witness to the power of prayer and to model what you are encouraging.
Prayer has always been at the very heart of our Catholic faith, and a vital component of our Lenten season. Praying for and with our grandchildren can enrich this special time for both our grandchildren and us. Remember that it was St. Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, who Scripture reports, was the instigator of belief that led to his Catholic faith. Likewise, St. Monica’s prayers resulted in St. Augustine’s ultimate conversion.
May God richly bless you and your grandchildren and remember that the prayer of a Godly grandparent avails much!
Editor’s Note: This is a three-part article series. Click HERE to read other articles by Dan Spencer III.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
