Prayer for My Grandsons
What is the greatest blessing you have received in your life?
That is the kind of question anyone should be able to answer quickly. The first thing that pops into your mind is most likely what you are most blessed with.
Israel said to Joseph, "I did not expect to see your face; and here God has let me see your children also." - Genesis 48:11
For Israel, it was seeing Joseph's children. which was totally unexpected since he believed Joseph was dead.
For him, it is a double blessing to have lived long enough to see two generations alive.
I am equally blessed to have a family of my own to two generations. And with that blessing comes the other side, the fear and worry.
What harm can come to them? How do I protect them? What can I do to help them in times of uncertainty, frustration, pain and low self-esteem?
These are things I encountered when I was young and I know they will present themselves to my grandchildren. But even though I survived them, the circumstances and influences of the world seem so much more intense today. So many young people are losing hope and giving up.
When people come to me and share their fears, I offer to pray with them, and that seems to help, but am I really helping? I pray for strength and wisdom for my family and I still worry. Is that doubt?
When Joseph presents his boys to his father, he does so to seek his blessing, and Israel obliges, completing the cycle of life, handing off to the generations to come all that one has to offer.
I like the symbolism of that, but still I can find cause to be concerned. On one level, I feel if I am still around, I can help protect them from all the terrible things that are out there in the world, but I can't.
I am only fooling myself if I think I can. So, what can I do?
The story of Joseph can be a comfort. Here, as we come to the end of the story, where one generation passes the baton to the next, I find myself wanting to look back over the life of this lost boy who never gave up hope and kept his faith in God, despite a barrage of difficult and dangerous circumstances.
That is what I want for my grandchildren, the courage and strength to lean on God for help and not lose hope. So many young people fall victim to a loss of hope and that leads to a short life or a bad situation.
So, my prayer for them is this.
Protect them, Dear Lord, from their own fears and disappointments. Guide them through the darkness into the light each time they venture there, and keep them close to your heart, so that they always feel your love, and find the strength to go on, no matter the obstacle.
I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
More to come...
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