A Prayer about Caring for Our Grandchildren’s Parents

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

Heavenly Father,

Our son laughingly told me before he and his wife left for the week 

that they understood the “grandparent tax” — 

the price paid for leaving their child with a grandparent: 

her bedtimes might be off, 

she might eat ice cream for dessert (or dinner) every night, etc. 

It was sweet of them to give me permission to do a little spoiling, 

but it also made me think. 

How do or should grandparents care for their adult children 

even as they care for their grandchildren? 

You tell us to “Count others more significant than [ourselves]….” 

Help us, Lord, to consider the challenges our adult children face 

and to come alongside them and support them in their efforts. 

Help us not to put our own needs first 

but to think about how we can help our grandchildren grow 

to love you and honor their parents. 

Help us to pray for our adult children 

as they seek to be wise parents. 

Help us to encourage our adult children in their efforts. 

Help us to offer to serve them 

by giving them a much-needed rest from time to time. 

Humble Jesus, make us like you 

as we care for our grandchildren’s parents.

Amen. 

Read Philippians 2:1-11.