This week, our church began a 21-day fast. For the past few days, I have been pondering writing a blog about the importance of praying for our children and grandchildren. Then, I received a popup on Facebook that Jasmine had written eight years ago when our first granddaughter, Leila, was only two weeks old. Concerning Leila, Jasmine wrote,

Right now, she’s so innocent and totally dependent on everyone. As I look at her innocence, I cannot help but wonder/ponder what life has in store for her. Her joys, her hurts … I wonder how she will be physically, mentally, and emotionally and if she will grow deep in spiritual wholeness.

During my fast, I have been praying over our granddaughters. I am concerned about the influences in the world they are growing up in, which is fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy of our time that “lawlessness will abound” (Matthew 24:12). Their parents cannot let them ride their bikes through the neighborhood unattended, as we allowed Rhapsody and Seizen when they were growing up. We didn’t have to be concerned about the internet. There were no TikTok, Snapchat, or other social media sites that were trolled by predators or displayed obscene images.

I look at the faces of Lori, Emily, Kelly, Leila, and Lotus pictured with me, and Jasmine’s sentiment about their innocence resonates with me. They are unaware of the dangers they will encounter in a few short years. God’s protection and guidance and their parents’ godly influence will determine the pathway of their spiritual growth. Instead of being led astray by popular cultural influences, I pray they will grow to be women of influence for Christ! Jasmine fervently prayed,

That we will all grow deep in our full identity in Christ Himself and that Leila (and I now add Emily, Lotus, Lori, and Kelly) will find THEIR true identity in Christ … for His Righteous Love covers a multitude of sins.

Jasmine’s prayer put words to what has been on my heart, and I embrace her concluding exhortation. May you apply it to your heart as well:

We, as a church body, began our 21-day fast yesterday. That prayer is on my front burner for our family. I encourage you to fast and pray at this time as the beginning of the rest of your year. May this prayer of mine also be your prayer, not only for your sake but for the sake of our Lord and your family and their future generations.