Aspects of Prayer: A 3-Day Parenting PlanSample

Power for Generations

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked.

1 Samuel 1:27

My (JCD's) great-grandfather George McCluskey prayed every morning from eleven to noon for his children and for future generations of his family. Toward the end of his life, he announced that God had made him a promise: Every member of four generations of his family would become Christians. That promise has been working itself out in remarkable ways. By the time I came along, every family member from my great-grandfather to me not only had accepted Christ, but also had been or were ministers. H. B. London, my cousin and a member of the fourth generation, is also a minister. I am the only one who did not feel specifically called to this service. Yet considering the hundreds of times I have talked to audiences about the gospel of Christ, I feel like an honorary member of the team!

My great-grandfather is long dead, but he still provides the richest source of inspiration for me. If you want to have that kind of impact on your family, we suggest you get on your knees daily and seek God's power and blessing through prayer—not only for your children, but for future generations as well.

Before you say good night . . .

* How often do you pray for your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren yet to come?

* What time of day works best for you to pray for your family?

* How can you increase your commitment to praying for your kids?

Dear God, we are humbled that You make Your mighty power available to us through prayer. May all our requests honor You and release Your best for us, our children, and generations of our family to come. Amen.

Excerpted from Night Light for Parents, used with permission.

Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever! (Deut. 5:29, ESV)

Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord . . .” (Ps. 102:18)