New Year 2026: “A Generation at Risk, A Generation That Prays”

We live in challenging times shaken by the unrest in the world around us. “The institution of the family is in a state of emergency. This core unit of civilization is being dismantled and ridiculed in today’s culture.” 1

The media-driven culture is desensitizing our grandchildren, and many of their role models disappoint them. God is being pushed to the perimeter of our culture at the time when we need Him. Our grandchildren need us to stand in the gap with our prayers for them. 

The GRAND magazine statistics show over 70 million grandparents in the United States. Can you imagine the effect we would have if all of us were praying diligently and deliberately for our grandchildren and their parents? We can impact their generation and the world we live in. 

It is hard not to get discouraged after listening to the daily events on the newscast. Do you worry and complain, or does it make you pray more intentionally for the world our grandchildren are facing?

God has given us prayer as the best weapon against the evil in our world. The power of God is the only thing big enough to help us rise above the economic, hostile conditions 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 scheme.” As grandparents, we need to put on the amour of God by being in His Word, growing in our walk with the Lord.

THEN we will demonstrate a strong faith in the Lord, and we will be an example to our families. 

As we begin this new year of 2026, ask God how He would like you to pray for your grandchildren and their parents intentionally.

Lillian Penner is the author of Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for Your Grandchildren,and is the National Prayer Coordinator for Christian Grandparenting Network. An avid blogger, Lillian will break into smiles if you ask about her twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She and her husband, John, live in Portland, Oregon, where they are active in church ministries.

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