Growing Multigenerational FaithSample

My grandma loved to read. In many of her books, now on my bookshelf, she carefully wrote the date she finished reading the book and something God had impressed on her as she read. She was leaving a record, a path to follow, sharing one of the ways she heard from God. She pointed me to words written before I was born that I too could follow, powerful words of those who lived before me that kept speaking through time.

The record my dad continues to leave is of spoken words of kindness. What we speak echoes far into future generations. Our words nurture and prepare the soil in tender hearts to receive God’s words, or they trample and harden that soil. I am grateful for kind words planted early and pray that my words will also bless with love, truth, and humility to be invitations to taste and see that the Lord is good.

There are other words sown on my behalf that I may never know. These are words of intercession prayed by parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and others - those now in my life and those who lived before me. I may never know who they are, but God knows. Their intercession and His grace forge the openings where I can know His love.

Earth and Heaven show evidence of the paths created, the words spoken, and the intercession given for future generations, seemingly small, everyday choices that affect eternity. What pathways are we intentionally shaping? Do our words tenderize or harden hearts? Are we drawn by Christ’s love to intercede for and pour our lives into the next generations?

Rob and Jill L. - Prayer Ministry, Kids Ministry

Questions to Consider

• What “notes of faith” are you leaving for future generations to be encouraged by?
• Who are two people you would be willing to pray for daily over the next 30 days?

Actions to Take

• Write out a note/text/email to someone each week over the next month that shares a way God has encouraged you, and then encourage them.
• Pray for your two people daily over the next month. Put a note somewhere obvious to remind you.

Prayer to Make

Holy Spirit, Prayer is hard work, and I need your help to pray for others in a way that will strengthen and encourage them to know you and walk with you. Please help me support others by consistently praying for them. Amen.