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By Lois Heron
We launched this monthly column a few years back, with the intention of emphasizing the pivotal importance of prayer in raising a family. We have explored the many facets of family life and how prayer remains the surest foundation for a holy family. This month, we end this monthly column by exploring the influence we have as grandparents on our children, grandchildren and future generations when we make intercessory prayer the top priority of our lives.
One generation praises your deeds to the next and proclaims your mighty works.
~Psalm 145:4
Do you ever wonder to yourself what invaluable possessions you will leave for your family? Do you ask yourself, “Will my family continue to live the legacy of faith in God and the pursuit of holiness? Will they tell stories of a mother and grandmother who prayed without ceasing for them?”
What do you hope for your future generations? Do you strive to pray your family into eternity? Let’s explore various ways to enhance your service to your family through intercessory prayer.
The fervent prayer of a righteous [grandparent] is very powerful.
~St. James 5:16b
St. James’ letter to the early believers overflows with practical guidance on how to live our faith in God. We can hang our hat on the promise that our prayers are powerful when we pray for our family. St. James reminds us that sincere and earnest intercessory prayer has a significant and potent effect on those for whom we pray. How so?
The Scriptures consistently refer to what we call prevenient grace—God’s mercy in time or order; the antecedent to our salvation. In effect, when we intercede for our future generations, we are “going before” them in prayer for God’s grace to enable them to choose him above all else and transform their nature into Christlikeness.
Does that spur you on to make intercessory prayer for your family a high priority, as it does for me? Let’s get to it, fellow grandparents.
Praying Sacred Scripture
When we pray the Sacred Scripture for our families, we are praying the Word of God that he has spoken, and we are promised that they will accomplish what has gone forth from the mouth of God; he promises they shall not return to him empty, but shall do what pleases him, achieving the end for which he sent them (Is 55:11). We can’t fully understand how powerful this promise is, but we sure can trust the one who made it!
Our loved ones are created to be whole beings and wholly devoted to the Lord, our Creator. When we pray for their mind, body and spirit to be whole, we are praying them into the likeness of Christ. It follows that they will become holy, as promised by the Lord through Isaiah. Following is a compilation of arrow prayers from Sacred Scripture that we can pray on our loved one’s behalf, confident that the Lord will hear us and answer us according to his will.
Holy God, grant that my loved ones learn to live a life of love for you and others. Guard their mind and hearts from poor choices that lead them away from you. May they be a pure offering for you that is pleasing and refreshing to others. Place a guard over their tongue against speech that does not edify others. ~Amen (Eph 5:1-4)
Shepherd of our hearts, make known to my loved one the path of life you desire for them. May they recognize that in you alone is fullness of joy and peace. Remove their attachments to the life-sucking promises of the culture around them and reveal the everlasting pleasures we receive from you alone.
~Amen (Ps 16:11)
Father of Light, shine bright through [ ] life! Grant [ ] zeal for your glory and that it will motivate all they do. Grant that the fruit of self-control increases as they mature. ~Amen
(1 Thes 5:1-6)
Sovereign Lord, I trust in your omnipresence! I don’t know all the circumstances my loved ones will face today, but you do! I ask that they rely on the trust in you that we have instilled in them; may they call out to you when tempted to do wrong. I pray for your protection over their mind, body and soul against any evil force they come up against. Protect their mind and spirit from the negative influences of their peers. ~Amen (Eph 6:6-18)
Holy God, I am grateful for how you have created [ ]; give them your spirit of wisdom and encourage their heart to understand and discern your good way for their personality. Put within [ ] a deep longing for the insight they need from you in all their relationships.
~Amen (Prv 2:1-3, 5)
Bread of Life, I thank you for your abundant blessings; I pray that my loved ones would be keenly aware that you are always listening and ready to answer their needs. May they crave you more than anything else; may they know you are sufficient for every need they have. I ask that you pour out your love on them and that they recognize it is more than enough to satisfy their desires.
~Amen (Ps 78:29-30)
Praying for godly virtue
Sacred Scripture extensively displays the attitudes of the heart that we can have that foster virtue and vice in our lives. We can pray these attributes into our loved one’s heart and mind, confident that the Holy Spirit will provide the fortitude and insight they need to choose biblical virtue over worldly vice. There are resources online to help you know what those Scriptures say. Search for “godly virtue Scriptures in the Bible” to get you started. Following is a collection of prayers we have gathered or formed to assist you in intercessory prayer for your family.
Holy Spirit of God, I ask that salvation spring up within my loved one, that they may receive the salvation that is in Christ Jesus.
~Amen (Is 45:8; 2 Tm 2:10)
Holy Spirit of God, keep my loved one from greedy consumption of this world’s goods. I ask that they prefer you above all things; help them to be alert and self-controlled in all they do.
~Amen (1 Thes 5:6)
Holy Spirit of God, teach my loved one proper respect for themselves and others. Above all, may they respect your law of life so that it may go well for them in their lives.
~Amen (1 Pt 2:17; Dt 6:1-6)
We should always take the time to read Sacred Scripture and pray directly from it for the edification of our souls and for those for whom we are praying. There are particular books in Sacred Scripture that we find beneficial for intercessory prayer, and we recommend them to your attention. The Wisdom Books are a comparison of virtue to vice; you can pray them in the first person for yourself and others. Here’s a sample for you. Proverbs 3:26 reads: “For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from the snare.” You can pray, Lord, you are my confidence; keep my foot from the snare. ~Amen
The New Testament letters to St. Timothy from St. Paul, as well as St. James’ letter to early believers contain go-to prayers on holy attitudes and conduct. Make the Scriptures your own as you pray.
A full-coverage prayer for our loved ones
Triune God, Grant my loved one a teachable spirit. May they grow in wisdom, stature and favor with You and fellow humanity. May they allow your Holy Spirit to rest upon them. Give them a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and strength, a spirit of knowledge and piety. And above all, may they grow into their identity as your beloved child.
~Amen
Families of the Sioux Falls Diocese, may we always strive to carry our families onward, further in and further up, the path of peace and holiness of which no one of us will see God (Heb 12:14).
