In my early years working for the church, I was a deaconess doing Christian education in many provinces. There were hundreds of children and youth in the churches back then, and I loved the work. I enjoyed sharing my faith with so many and was used by God to introduce many young people to the Lord Jesus.

Today, few youth attend church, and there is a serious need to reach the youth and their parents with the gospel. How do we do this? Take note of how they communicate. They always seem to be speaking to each other through social media or by texting. I have often sat in a restaurant watching a group of young people at a neighbouring table ignore each other as they text a friend somewhere else. How do we reach such people with the good news? Through the high-tech devices that their noses are glued to! I double up on my prayers for families these days.

Do you have grandchildren, either close by or living somewhere far away? How do you communicate? Has society changed so much that we never think of talking together on the phone about the love of Jesus or God? Life's routines today are nothing like in my youth. How do we tell the youth of the millennial generation today the stories of Jesus? Living without Jesus must seem very empty, and the feeling inside can be frustration and loss.

Children who have never heard about Jesus are very open to hearing. When we visit our grandchildren, we can take Bible story books like The Action Bible to read at bedtime with them. Jesus tells us:

Matthew 10:19-20 – Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (NIV)

Wow! What a wonderful promise! So don't worry; commit your family to the Lord. I know that we all love our grandchildren. We should be praying every day for all our grandchildren and extended family members that the Holy Spirit will reach out to them and speak to them through us.

Meanwhile, we should also be praying that churches everywhere again become loving communities where families are at home and have fun together. It is the Holy Spirit Who gives our children what they need and draws them together in Christ.

Why not phone your grandchild now and share your love for the Lord Jesus, Who is truly with all of us as the Holy Spirit rests upon us?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we look to Your Spirit to fill our grandchildren's needs. We pray that all may open to You to understand Jesus' loving presence. May Your Spirit and love help us all to find happy, supportive faith communities. May the Holy Spirit touch our loved ones today with fellowship and understanding as we are guided by the Spirit. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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