Generational Praying
For as long as I can remember, my Mama told me about my great-grandmother Cassie who prayed for the generations to come. The idea of this generational prayer gave me a sense of rootedness. As I began to understand a covenantal perspective of Scripture and of life, I saw the scope and beauty of generational praying as the overflow of this theology.
Our three children were in their pre-teen/teen years when a friend told me about praying Scripture for her children’s hearts rather than praying for their behavior. I was immediately convicted because I realized I prayed about the behavior of our children, my husband, and our church. In essence, I gave God a to-do list of how I wanted Him to change them.
I began with Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3. The more I prayed God’s Word, the deeper it went into my heart. The scope of it excited and challenged me, and I began praying it for the generations to come. My imagination soared as I thought about my prayers mingling with the prayers of my great-grandmother.
Over time, I added other scriptures, and gradually God’s Word shaped my prayer life. As I prayed God’s Word back to Him, I came to know Him better.
As each grandchild was born, I could say with Hannah, “For this child I prayed” (1 Sam. 1:27). Now I am telling my great-grandchildren that I prayed for them.
Recently Sara, a granddaughter-in-love, sent me the following text:
We had a great sermon this morning. The pastor briefly mentioned Deuteronomy 6:10-11.
And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
This is what it felt like marrying into your family. I’m thankful I drink from cisterns I did not dig and eat from vineyards I did not plant.
Sara shared this at one of our family gatherings, as my children, grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren sat in high chairs around our table. Then I asked:
What cisterns are you drinking from that you did not dig?
What cisterns are you digging for these two great-grandchildren and those to come?
I reminded them of great-grandmother Cassie. This woman lived in the 1800s. It is likely she never traveled more than a few miles from her home, yet she had an eternal perspective. At some level, she understood that Jesus writes big, long, redemptive stories that extend from eternity past to eternity future, and she was part of that story. So were the generations to come, and she prayed for us. I’m grateful for her prayers, but there is one thing I think about a lot. I wonder what she prayed. This prompted me to record some of the scriptures I pray, so the generations to come will know what I prayed for them.*
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Parenting would be terrifying apart from the presence and promises of God. He has given us great and precious promises.
And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you (Gen. 17:7).
The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant (Ps. 25:14).
PRAYER
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Eph. 3:20-21).
*Click here to download the prayer journal in an 8.5 x 11 format: LINK
*Click here to download the prayer journal in a 5.5 x 8.5 format: LINK
Susan Hunt with Stephen Estock and Karen Hodge, Heirs of the Covenant: A Framework for Discipleship in the Church
Additional resource: Heirs of the Covenant Hub
Susan Hunt is the widow of PCA pastor Gene Hunt, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is the former PCA Coordinator for Women’s Ministry and author of several books, including Heirs of the Covenant and TRUE, the discipleship curriculum series on biblical womanhood for teen girls. She co-authored Transformed: Life-taker to Life-giver and Life-giving Leadership with Karen Hodge, as well as Aging with Grace with Sharon Betters. She has also written several books for children.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.