A Call to Prayer — Making Preparation

Grandparents’ Day is just a few short days away.  As we approach this day that we have designated as a day for grandparents to join together in standing in the gap for their grandchildren and the next generations through prayer, I would love to share a few reminders and offer some Scriptural ammunition.

Remember that prayer is our job (Lamentations 2:19) and it is our weapon in a very real battle that is waging all around us (Ephesians 6:12).  Satan is after the souls of our grandchildren, and we are their prayer warriors!  No matter who you are or what your skill set, you can be a praying grandparent impacting the life of a child for eternity.

But it will not happen by accident.  We must be intentional.  Purpose today to become a prayer champion for your grandchild(ren) by writing out your commitment, posting it somewhere that is visible to you daily, and sharing that commitment with someone.  Then begin praying – daily.

While praying privately is powerful, let’s not stop there.  Our battle is both a private one and a public one.  Our prayers should be both private and public as well.  I pray you will put Sunday, September 13, 2015, on your calendar and join grandparents everywhere in public prayer as we link arms and spirits in standing in the gap for the next generations.

For those who are joining us, allow me to arm you with some powerful ammunition to use in this warfare which is described in the Bible:

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) — For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

John 10:10a (ESV) — The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

Following are some “prayer warfare” verses that you can pray on Sunday (or any day).  Each is followed by an example of “praying” that particular Scripture.

Genesis 3:14-15 – The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.  I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

• Curse Satan anew, O God.  Place him once again under the power of the cross, immobilizing him.

Matthew 12:29 – Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.

• I ask You, God, to bind the strong man and to render him powerless.

1 John 3:8b – The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

• O God, Your Son has appeared to destroy the work of the devil. The enemy is working now this very day in our families, our circumstances, our nation, and in our grandchildren.  O Father, destroy his work here!

Jude 1:9b – “The Lord rebuke you.”

• At your rebuke, O Lord, the enemy is not able to withstand.  Rebuke him, I pray, for your rebuke is full of power.  (See Psalm 80:16 and Psalm 104:7).

Matthew 6:13b — …but deliver us from evil.

• We do not know when and how the enemy will next attack. But we ask You, God, Our Heavenly Father, to deliver us – even now we ask before the attack occurs.

Colossians 2:15 – He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.

• We ask you, God, based on the enemy’s first humiliation and our standing on the cross, to put Satan to OPEN shame once more for when he is shamed he will dare not raise his head anymore.

Let’s spread the word to every grandparent we know. and in our time of joined prayer on Sunday, let’s let Satan know that we mean business.

You can, of course, participate on Sunday in your own home, on your own time.  Or you might choose to gather some friends and neighbors in a more public stand — meeting together in someone’s home, at your church building, or a nearby coffee shop.  You might even choose to incorporate technology by praying with others via FaceTIme or Skype.  It doesn’t matter how.  It doesn’t matter when.  What does matter, is that we pray. It is time for us as believers to stand up and create an army of praying grandparents for the next generations.

We’d love to hear from you if you are making the commitment to prayer on September 13^th.  Just leave a comment below indicating your commitment.  If you are gathering a group of friends and/or family to join you, please share that as well.  There is POWER in TOGETHER!  And if you need resources to help in praying specifically, please let me know in the comments or by sending an email to deborahhaddix@aol.com.  I would love to help equip you by sending you a resource sheet of Scripture to pray for your grandchildren.

“the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (Jas. 5:16).