7 Life-Giving Words to Speak Over Your Grandchildren

1. You Have a Purpose

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

It doesn't take long to see our grandchildren's gifts and strengths, whether they're creativity, athletic ability, or academic achievement. But each child, no matter their gifts, needs to hear about their God-given purpose—the purpose planned for them before they were even born.

As God told Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Imagine the awe and wonder Jeremiah felt, knowing God had set him apart for His glory. Though he lacked courage, God's purpose was fulfilled through him.

In the post "10 Things Grandchildren Need to Hear," author Rhonda Stoppe says, "You can pour courage into your grandkids to follow God's plan for their lives if you remind them of how God saved them unto good works that He has ordained in advance."

Speak life over your grandchildren by showing them how they fit into God's plan. Even in their weaknesses, He is strong on their behalf and will carry out His divine purpose for their good and His glory.

2. You Have Help

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

Kids need more help than we realize. This hit home for me a while back when my oldest grandson called and asked if he could visit—without his brother and sister. Of course, I jumped at the chance to spend quality time with him, and when he arrived, he shared with me some of his worries about starting middle school. As a "fixer" by nature, I helped him troubleshoot possible issues such as bullying, homework, new friends, etc. But at the end of our conversation, I reminded him that his true help comes from God.

Psalm 124:8 says, "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." It's important that our grandchildren know they can call on the name of the Lord, and He hears them. Only He is an ever-present help in trouble, which means He is there for them day and night.

In this devotional by Emma Danzey, she writes, "When we feel small in life, or when we just want to understand Christ's glory more, we remember to look up, that our help comes from Him always." What a beautiful way to express the help we receive when we simply look up. God is our constant source of provision and strength; our grandchildren can always count on Him.

3. You Have a Best Friend

"You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:14-15)

Navigating friendships can be difficult, no matter how old we are. Most of us can recall tears in the school bathroom over a classmate who said something mean, or a bully on the playground who blocked the slide.

Having conversations with our grandchildren about their friends, is a good way to remind them that they have a BFF or "best friend forever" in Jesus. Even though He is God, He is their personal companion, walking with them through good times and bad. They can trust Jesus and turn to Him for the best advice. He will never lead them astray.

One activity you might consider is to make friendship bracelets with the letter "J" in the center. This will remind them that at all times, their best friend is with them and loves them with an unconditional love.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/aldomurillo

4. You Have a Lifeline

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." (1 John 5:14)

In the article, 10 Truths to Teach Our Children about Prayer, Lori Hatcher says, "Sometimes we forget that God is a person—a holy and extraordinary Person—but a person, nonetheless. From the moment He created Adam and Eve, He's communicated with His people. He walked and talked with them in the Garden. He spoke to the Israelites from a fiery pillar and a bright cloud. Now, He communicates with us through the Bible and prayer. We can share our dreams, hopes, fears, and needs with Him and rest in confident assurance that He hears every word we say—fancy or frantic. Our children need to know they can speak, and God will hear."

Offer your grandchildren a lifeline by teaching them to pray. If this is a struggle, turn to the Lord's Prayer as a guide. Show them how to talk to God as if they are talking to a loving Father. Discuss the listening process of being still before the Lord and waiting on His direction. Teach them to open the Scriptures to find God's truth and wisdom for every situation. Remind your grandchildren how each of their prayers rises like incense before God's throne. (Psalm 141:2) Truly, He is their lifeline, inviting them to come to Him for every need.

5. You Have Hope

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

If you were to ask your grandchild what they hope for most, it's likely they would name a toy or video game they've been wanting. Children don't understand there's a big difference between hopes and wants.

Writer Erin Mohring offers insight in the article, Give Your Kids Hope, by saying, "Children know the word hope well, but not necessarily in the way they need to know hope. You will hear them say, 'I hope I get what I want for my birthday,' or 'I hope I make a new friend this school year.' [But] the hope they need, to deal with all the emotions of growing up, is built only on the promises of God."

Utilize your time with your grandchildren by sharing God's promises from the Bible. Read passages that speak of the fulfillment of those promises. Remind them that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, meaning they can trust Him to keep every promise He's ever made.

Hope might be difficult for our grandchildren to understand, but we can speak words of life and blessing over them, repeating Paul's words, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him."

6. You Have a Bright Future

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT)

Humans, especially little humans, have a way of seeing the world through the lens of "right here, right now." We have a difficult time looking past the present and fixing our eyes on eternity. But this is not all there is, and it's important that our grandkids understand this.

Of course, I'm not talking about doom-and-gloom discussions that scare them, but instead, encouraging conversations to remind them of their bright, beautiful future with Jesus. This is a good time to explain the Gospel at their level and give them the opportunity to ask questions.

Gently share the way to heaven—through Jesus' finished work on the cross—and talk about heaven in wonderful, descriptive ways.

Our grandchildren need to know this world will eventually pass away, and this is only a prequel to eternity with Jesus. Speak life, hope, and joy over your grandkids, pointing upward to the glory that awaits.

7. You Have Me

"Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers." (Proverbs 17:6 ESV)

When watching my grandson play basketball recently, I turned to his brother and said, "I'll always be on your team." It's important that my grandchildren know they can count on me, not only in good times but also in difficult times. The life-giving words, "I'm here for you," can make all the difference, especially as they enter their adolescent years.

Father God spoke to His people in Jeremiah 29:11-13, saying, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Imagine the encouragement this gave the children of Israel in their time of hardship. And imagine how our words of assurance will bless the hearts of our grandkids. Even when we don't agree with their decisions or behaviors, we can still be an anchor for them, grounding them in the Word of God and in His love. Let your grandchildren know you are on their team. You are their biggest cheerleader and will always, always, speak life-giving words to encourage and inspire.