National Grandparents Day this year is September 7. If you haven’t heard of it, well, neither had I! There’s nothing wrong with celebrating and honoring grandparents, of course, especially given the considerable number of grandparents raising grandchildren in the US–more than 2.5 million, according to the AARP. And there are millions of others, I’m certain, who contribute to the well-being of their grandchildren in countless other ways, big and small–giving of their time, energy, financial resources, and wisdom to create strong bonds with their grandkids, enhance their development, and create a lasting legacy.

But some grandparents prefer to make National Grandparents Day a day of prayer–the Grandparents Day of Prayer–praying not for themselves but for their families and especially their grandchildren. And they are inviting you to join them.

Lillian Penner, author of Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for Your Grandchildren, serves as national prayer coordinator for the Christian Grandparenting Network. Lillian says,

Today our nation is being attacked like never before educationally, socially, financially, and spiritually. Christianity itself is under assault, and as a result, our grandchildren are living in a desperate moral and spiritual climate, navigating in a world hostile to truth. Parents and grandparents are involved in a tug of war for the hearts and minds of their children. Perhaps at no other time in our history is a call to prayer more needed.

Many years ago, Queen Esther stood in the gap for her people, the Jews, when their physical lives were threatened. In our day, grandparents can stand in the gap for the spiritual lives of their grandchildren

Do you share Lillian’s concern? I know I do.

Grandparents who believe in the power of prayer can pray their grandchildren will not become casualties from falling captive to the enemy’s deception. We are engaged in a spiritual battle that requires prayer as the weapon. As grandparents, we have an opportunity to imprint another generation with His love and faithfulness.

When Nehemiah faced opposition in building the wall in Jerusalem, he told the people, “Don’t be afraid of them, Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, sons, and your daughters, your wives and your homes” (Nehemiah 4:14). Just as Nehemiah asked the people to fight for their families, we as grandparents need to use our prayers to fight the opposition from the enemy that our grandchildren face today.

We need to pray more often than on one special day, of course. But this September 7 can be a powerful time to join with other praying grandparents and encourage you to pray faithfully throughout the year.

In addition, the Christian Grandparenting Network is looking for volunteers to take the lead to organize a local event, calling grandparents to join in prayer on September 7. This event could be in your church, in your home, in a retirement complex, or any meeting location you choose. CGN will provide step-by-step guidelines, resources, and online tools to help you create a successful event that will engage grandparents in prayer together.

Will you accept the challenge to join grandparents throughout the world to unite in prayer on September 7 for their grandchildren?

Just like my grandkids, your grandkids–and all grandkids–are worth it!

Lillian Penner

Check the CGN website for blog posts, endorsements, testimonials, promotional materials and free downloads. www.grandparentsdayofprayer.com. For additional information, contact Lillian Penner, CGN national prayer coordinator.

DIANE