My Grandmother Prayed for Me

I realized driving home last night that the blessings in my life were a result of prayer. The traps set before me by the wicked one were expertly dodged not because of my own skill, but because of someone who prayed for me. I thought about the oh so close calls I came to settling in relationships. The waiting and sacrifice in various areas of my life. The journey I’ve walked so far to hear Holy Spirit and obey. Obedience has brought forth so much fruit and rewards in this season. I look back and can see how God’s leading was the better path. At first I thought, “It must be my husband who prayed for me and that is the reason I’ve been kept from settling”. It’s probably typical for single women to think similar thoughts. I hear my friends say similar things. But then God revealed “your grandmother prayed for you”.

She prayed that I would not have to go through what she went through.  And God answered her prayers.

I once received a word that “I had big shoes to fill”. The speaker was sharing that so many of my ancestors did not fulfill their callings. Their lives ended prematurely because for the most part they lived for themselves. Many of them knew the Lord but they did not know to live for Him so they did not experience the fullness of life He was offering. Their poor choices resulted in a variety of generational curses in my bloodline. For some reason (probably due to their prayers), I am the one God chose to intervene with, and have His will be done.

God does not forget and often passes on mantles from one generation to the next. Callings, annointings, gifts, etc… these are all handed down from one generation to the next, so that if one generation does not finish the race, the next generation can. I am so blessed to know that future generations will benefit from my obedience. They will have a chance to do greater things than I am doing. Know God in greater, more intimate ways. They will have to, because there will be even more darkness. But where sin abounds, grace abounds even more. They will be the light of the world.

We live in an individualistic society. We compartmentalize and get caught up in the part instead of the whole. I do this often. But I can see the story God is unfolding in my family, from one generation to the next. I can see His hand molding and shaping a story of redemption, faith and victory. So even the areas I have failed in, my children and their children will have a chance to overcome in.

I pray for my children, even though they’re not here yet because I know the power of praying for offspring. I am a product of those prayers.

I recommend checking out Helen Baylor’s Testimony about her praying grandmother here. Very encouraging indeed.

SHALOM