“Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers” (Proverbs 17:6).

This Sunday is “Grandparent’s Day.” As a grandfather, I have been blessed with two grandsons and six granddaughters, so I guess you could say that I have eight “stars” in my crown! Being a grandparent is special, which you already know if you are one! Here is something I’ve often enjoyed reading, taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds. It is entitled, What is a Grandparent?

• Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people’s.
• A grandfather is a man grandmother.
• Grandparents don’t have to do anything except be there when we come to see them.
• They are so old they shouldn’t play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.
• When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.
• They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers and also why we shouldn’t step on the “cracks.”
• They don’t say, “Hurry up.”
• Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes.
• They wear glasses and funny underwear.
• They can take their teeth and gums out.
• Grandparents don’t have to be smart. They just have to answer questions like “Why isn’t God married?” and “How come dogs chase cats?”
• When they read to us, they don’t skip. They don’t mind if we ask for the same story over again.
• Everybody should try to have grandparents, especially if you don’t have a television, because they are the only grown-ups who like to spend time with us.

What an important ministry grandparents have! Psalm 78:1-8 outlines this responsibility, and I hope you will take the time to read it. Basically, it tells us that we are to pass on God’s Word to the generations to come, “That they might set their hope in God…” (Psalm 78:7a). In addition, we really need to be praying for our grandchildren. Here are just a few suggestions:

• Pray for grandchildren’s protection from the evil one and from worldly influences.
• Pray for discernment to know the truth and to recognize the lies of the world and Satan.
• Pray for godly adult influences on your grandchildren.
• Pray for protection and victory in the battlefields of life.
• Pray for wisdom to represent Christ well through our own example and words.
• Pray for teachers, youth leaders, and parents.
• Pray for restoration of truth and moral foundations in our culture/nation.

I hope you will spend some time this week praying for your grandchildren by name, whether you pray alone or with others. Pray as well for the millions of children in this nation and around the world who need to know the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And, as Steve Green sang, may the desire of our heart be this: “Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.” Happy Grandparent’s Day!