PRAYING FOR YOUR TEENAGE GRANDCHILD
Grandparents often find it difficult to know how to pray for their teenage grandchildren. Our grandchildren face many confusing and critical cultures that we didn’t encounter when growing up or raising our children. We often find it hard to relate.
We can never understate the power of one’s mind. Consider what the Bible has to say about our minds. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
My husband and I have three teenage granddaughters. We realize the importance of maintaining an active line of communication with them. We recently took two, who are high school seniors, to our breakfast. The other one is away at college, but I text her every week to ask her how I can pray for her. It’s essential for us to stay interested in our grandchildren’s activities, to communicate our love for them, to affirm them with words of blessings and to pray for them daily.
Our teenage grandchildren need our prayers. Pray they will…
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- Be motivated, disciplined, and challenged to apply themselves in their studies to excel academically.
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- Experience the reality of Jesus Christ in their lives, as the grow strong in their faith.
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- Recognize the world’s deceptions.
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- Be covered with God’s safekeeping physically, emotionally and spiritually.
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- Date wisely (which leads to a life partner).
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- Be sexually pure.
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- Have open communication and a good relationship with their parents.
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- Choose friends who will have a positive influence.
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- Develop a huger for God’s Word and grow spiritually.
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- Have a balanced view of their beauty, charm and strength.
SALVATION
Dear Father, I pray that _________________ (insert child’s name) will confess their sin and receive God’s forgiveness and salvation found only through Christ (Acts 4:12).
PROTECTION FROM EVIL
Dear Father, I pray that ___________________ (insert child’s name) will be protected from the evil one, as they seek to live as followers of Christ (John 17:15).
DISCERNMENT
Dear Father, I pray that ___________________ (insert child’s name) will be able to discern what is true and will have the courage to walk in the truth (Philippians 1:9-10).Here is a sample of Scriptures to Pray for Teenagers:
IDENTITY
Dear Father, I pray that ___________________ (insert child’s name) will understand they are uniquely designed, made in the image of God, male and female (Genesis 1:26-27).
BIBLICAL VIEW OF MARRIAGE
Dear Father, I pray that ___________________ (insert child’s name and future spouse) will have a biblical view of loving one another in marriage (Ephesians 5:22-23).
CHOICE OF FRIENDS
Dear Father, I pray that ___________________ (insert child’s name) will choose friends who have integrity, sound judgement, and pure hearts (Psalm 1:1).
DEPRESSIONS AND SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
Dear Father, I pray that ___________________ (insert child’s name) will be protected from the grip of depression, addictions, and suicidal tendencies (Luke 4:16-21).
SEXUAL IMMORALITY
Dear Father, I pray that ___________________ (insert child’s name) will flee from sexual immorality in order to honor their bodies as the Temple of the Living God (I Thessalonians 4:3-5).
RELATIONSHIP WITH PARENTS
Dear Father, I pray that ___________________ (insert child’s name) will obey and respect their parents, for this is right (Ephesians 6:1-3).
Lillian Penner is the author of Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for Your Grandchildren in English and Spanish. She is on staff with the Christian Grandparenting Network prayer ministry, developing prayer cards, grandparents@Prayer groups, and the Grandparenting Day of Prayer. She has a passion for praying intentionally for her grandchildren and desires to share that passion with other grandparents. An avid blogger, Lillian breaks into smiles if you ask about her thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She and her husband, John, live in Portland, Oregon, where they are active in church ministries. They were both raised in Christian homes and desire to pass their godly heritage to their future generations. She and her husband enjoy traveling, Southern Gospel music but most of all, enjoy spending time with their family. For more ideas of how to pray for your grandchildren, please refer to the free resources on the Christian Grandparenting Network website.
Feature Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash
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