How to Pray for Your Grandchildren’s Faith—Even If Their Parents Don’t Believe

Many grandparents carry a quiet ache in their hearts—a longing for their grandchildren to know and love God, even when their parents do not share that faith.

If this sounds familiar, you may wonder if your prayers matter. Is it appropriate for you to try to pray for your grandchildren’s faith, or are you crossing a parental boundary? Perhaps you’ve felt torn between hope and helplessness, trusting God while feeling like your influence is limited.

Take comfort, dear grandparent. Our sovereign God sees your concern. Your prayers do matter. Let your faith be restored. God hears every whispered prayer and continues to work in ways we cannot see.

In this post, you will find some practical guidelines on how to pray for your grandchildren’s faith, even when their parents don’t attend church or even necessarily believe.

Your Grandchildren’s Faith – Naming the Quiet Concern

It’s a request that shows up at every Bible study, weekly small group, and prayer circle: “Pray for my family members who are not saved”.

As a grandparent, your heart is filled with love for each of your grandchildren. You ask God to guide and protect them. You long for your grandkids to have their own Bible and learn who God is. You want to share your own faith that has anchored your life.

But what if your grandchildren are not believers? If their parents don’t encourage some kind of faith, how will their children ever hear about Jesus?

Unfortunately, as a grandparent, you are praying from the sidelines. You must be careful not to overstep any boundaries. You don’t want to say or do anything that makes your children (or their spouses) angry, or worse, want to keep the kids away from you. Maybe their parents are just uninterested, or maybe they are calling themselves atheists. At any rate, their lack of devotion to Jesus is painful, and you are concerned your grandchildren are missing vital life lessons.

God sees all of this. He sees your heart and hears your prayers for your grandchildren’s faith.

When Faith Paths Differ: Releasing Guilt and Fear

You may wonder if your children’s current lack of interest in church and Christianity is somehow your fault.

• Did I fail somewhere?
• Did I raise them correctly?
• Did I push too hard? Not enough?

You might be afraid that your children will never come to a saving faith in Jesus, and then what hope is there for your grandkids? You can probably relate to this passage from the Bible:

Matthew 23:37 ESV

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

Jesus spoke these words, and they show His sorrow about people who are lost. He wants to protect our grandchildren and gather them into His kingdom. He wants them to know His love. So be assured that when you pray for your grandchildren’s faith, you are praying in line with Jesus’ desire.

Luke 19:10 ESV

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

This passage reminds us that it is God who saves the lost. It is God who calls, saves, and provides eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

It is not our job to “save them”. God will do that. But we can do A LOT to change the spiritual atmosphere around our grandchildren and their families. We can watch for opportunities to share our faith, we can let them experience unconditional love through us, and we can pray, pray, pray.

Col 1:13 RSV

He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

How to Pray For Your Grandchildren’s Faith

My goal this year is to pray consistently for my children and grandchildren. I want their names to sound in Heaven every single day. Here are 4 sample prayers you can use to pray for your grandkids, too.

Pray that they experience God’s Love

Heavenly Father, I pray that all my grandchildren will feel your love today in a personal way that is undeniably You. Please draw them to You and let them know there is nothing to fear. I pray they will choose to become followers of Jesus, in Your timing and in Your way. Thank You, Lord, that Your desire is for all to be saved. Amen.

Pray for Seeds to Be Planted

Lord, even if my grandchildren are not attending church, please plant seeds of faith in their hearts. Use teachers, friends, and circumstances to open their eyes to who You are. Please let the believers around them be bold in sharing their faith. Lord, I bind any lies of satan from taking hold in their minds. Please bring these children into Your kingdom soon. Amen.

Pray for Open Hearts

Jesus, I pray that You would soften the hearts and minds of my grandchildren so they will be open to the calling of Jesus. Please let them be curious and open to the message of salvation. Open their eyes to the truth. Open their ears to Your voice. I know You are drawing them gently to You, and I am grateful that You search for the lost sheep. I pray my grandchildren will soon be safe in Your fold. Amen.

Pray for Peace in Your Own Heart

Lord, I confess that I have given in to fear that my unsaved family members may never choose to follow You. It fills me with despair to see them living without You because the consequences are so dire. Please forgive my lack of faith. I cast my cares for their salvation onto You, trusting in Your perfect plan for them. Thank You, for never giving up on us. Amen.

Here is another article on how to pray called 15 Things to Pray for Non-Christians

Watch for opportunities to share faith.

As grandparents praying for grandchildren, most of us have a burden to help our grandkids come into a faith of their own. Guess what? The reason you feel that way is that you have God-ordained work to do for the next generation. I explain this further in the post 24 Helpful Bible Verses about Grandparents You Need to Read.

But, Psalm 145:4 is a quick summary, showing us that we can and should teach our grandchildren about the Lord.

Psalm 145:4 ESV

One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.

Use whatever opportunities present themselves. Talk about going to church on Sunday and your friends there. Talk about praying for someone or having someone pray for you. Say blessings over meals at your house. If a grandchild expresses a worry, explain that God is watching over them.

I’m a strong believer in the idea of, “loving people into the kingdom”. Your kind, supportive presence in their lives does matter.

Avoid being controlling and do not criticize their parents in any way. We are walking the higher ground with a long-term strategy. God will answer, but it will likely take time. More time than we would like, probably. We need to persevere, trusting in God’s character, not in the circumstances that we see.

What Scripture Says About Generational Faith

Psalm 100:5 ESV

For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Our God loves us, and He has a plan for all of us. We have to trust in God’s timing – which can be miraculous. When Paul and Silas were in prison in Phillip, they were able to witness to one of their jailors, and look what happened:

Acts 16:31 ESV

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

The jailor did believe, and that very night he and his household were baptized.

God can do amazing things. Our part is to stay faithful and hopeful. Our prayers for your grandchildren spiritually are never wasted.

A Simple Prayer Grandparents Can Pray

Lord God, I lift up (names of grandchildren) to You. Thank you for these lives You have created and for putting these children in my family. Father, please reveal Yourself to them today.

Lord, prepare their hearts for You. Let the Christians around them speak of You in Your perfect timing. Let me be wise in sharing my faith, too. Let the Holy Spirit guide and convict them and make them hungry for the truth.

Most of all, Lord, I pray they will believe in the name of Jesus, receive You, and become saved, and that this experience will change them for all of eternity.

And I pray for the generations of my family who will come after my grandchildren. That they will join a rich spiritual heritage that starts today. Thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayer. Amen.

Encouragement for the Long Journey

Your prayers matter – for your grandchildren today and for generations to come.

As a concerned grandparent, I know you would like to have your grandchildren find Jesus today—no more wasted time. But answers to these prayers do take time. God softens and leads gently. He is patient and kind. We should take our cue from Him.

We can trust in God’s character. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, merciful, and just. Nothing can separate us from His love.  Your grandchildren are on His radar, don’t worry.

Your prayers are an act of deep love and faithful trust. Even when your role feels small or unseen, God is at work in ways you may never fully know. You are not responsible for changing hearts or controlling outcomes—that work belongs to Him alone. Your calling is simply to pray, to love, and to trust that the God who loves your grandchildren even more than you do is faithfully pursuing them.

If this journey feels lonely at times, remember that many grandparents are praying from the same place of hope and surrender. Each prayer you lift is a seed planted in faith, entrusted to God’s perfect timing. Continue to bring your grandchildren before Him with confidence, peace, and expectation—knowing that no prayer offered in love is ever wasted.

If this post encouraged you, consider joining the PrayerRaising community – grandparents praying for their grandchildren.

More Prayers For Grandchildren:

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