Each first Monday of the month, we will be sharing an influential book from one of our Crossroads members. Grandparents' day is September 13th, so with this is mind, we will be focusing each Monday this month on resources focused on grandparents role in passing down faith to their children and grandchildren.
Vickie Thomson, mom of two and grandma to six, is starting us off. Vickie has served at Crossroads in a variety of ways, but recently retired from her 10+ year tenure as Crossroads Women's Ministry Coordinator (though she is still graciously serving as editor for the CWM newsletter). Some of her favorite things to do with her grandkids include taking them on adventures fossil-and-artifact hunting, having them over to play, giving them gifts (and shopping for/with them!), and spending time praying for them.
--CWM Social Media Team
I was very pleased when Alex asked me to review a book on being a grandparent for the CWM blog, because, as I told her, not a lot about being a godly grandparent comes our way! The Power of a Praying Grandparent by Stormie Omartian touched a real chord with me because I feel like, in this stage of life, one thing that God has very much called me to do is pray for my grandchildren.
While I pray for them almost daily, I found that I was often praying generally and praying the same things over and over, especially for the three who live across the country. Without frequent contact it's hard to know exactly what to pray.
This book helped meet that need. It's divided into 28 topics that are vital in every Christian's life, and especially in the lives of children. It also didn't neglect things that we should pray for ourselves as we are a part of our grandchildren's lives. Each chapter gives the scriptural background on why we should pray about certain things. It also included what we need to pray about in the lives of the parents (and step-parents) of our grandchildren.
2. What did you like about this book? How is it different from other books on the subject? What specifically encouraged or blessed you?
I really liked that it was strongly Scripture-based and was not a book of “magic” prayers like we often see on the internet. (Pray this prayer and...) As Stormie says in the book, “Our faith is not in the power of our prayers—or in the strength of our faith. It is in God and His power working through our prayers and in response to them.”
First the author gave the Scriptural basis for each topic (such as Lord, Give Each of My Grandchildren a Heart that is Quick to Forgive, Lord, Protect My Grandchildren from Any Danger or Threat, and Lord, Keep My Grandchildren from Straying into Enemy Territory.) Then she discussed the Scripture and the topic, finally giving a model or sample prayer. I loved that her emphasis was that God blesses when we pray and depend on Him to answer. She also talked about how our hearts need to be right with God, if we want Him to hear our prayers.
3. How did this book impact you? Did you implement something new? Did it lead you to praise God or serve Him differently?
It impacted me by expanding my repertoire of topics to pray and the assurance that those things were what God wanted me to pray. It also motivated me to be faithful to pray regularly for my grandchildren and their parents. I'm not sure if I've implemented something new, but I have seen a new depth and joy in praying for them. In this scary world I know that there's really very little I can do to protect them, but I can pray for God's protection over them and His provision for them—and that their eternal souls will belong to Him and grow in Him. I love that it encouraged me to pray in such a way that I can impact their lives not only now, but for eternity!
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