A Legacy Worth Leaving

I think there is something inside each of us that wants to be remembered when we are long gone.

Mountains climbed, new countries discovered, oceans crossed, inventions and books created - all resulted in making a name for oneself. We remember Sir Edmund Hillary, Christopher Columbus, Magellan, Alexander Graham Bell, and Charles Dickens. Their names are so recognizable; we know their accomplishments without even mentioning what they were.

Let's be real - we can't all do things that noteworthy. However, I do want to make a mark in this world that will live on after I'm gone. Definitely my children and grandchildren are an important part of that legacy and I'm thrilled to have them.

This week, I ran across this quote from E. M. Bounds on Prayer:

"Prayers out live the lives of those who uttered them – outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive the world." 

The words leaped off the page and into my thoughts when I read them. How mind-blowing! Here is a way that any believer can leave behind something that will live on forever.

My dad's prayers for me? Still living, even though he has been with Jesus over a quarter of a century now.

My grandma's prayers for me? Still living.

If any of my great-greats prayed for their future family, their prayers are still alive and before the throne of God.

In Revelation chapter 8 we read that ALL the prayers of the saints were presented with incense before the throne. Those prayers had not disappeared, expired or "gone bad!"

Think about it; if the God who numbers the hairs on our heads and collects our tears cares that much, would He mark a prayer as "null and void" once the person praying had passed?

Before my dad died, he and I had a talk. He was worried the grandkids would forget him. This is a natural fear any of us would have had. I assured him I would tell the kids all about him, and I have done so well at this - it might even be considered overkill.

If he'd realized his prayers lived on after him, I think he would have been comforted. I know the thought brings ME a lot of comfort.

Now, I have a job to do: get busy praying. Oh, sure, I'll pray my family and friends are happy, healthy and successful people; but, more importantly, I'm going to pray scripture over them. I'm going to pray they engage in kingdom work for Him and for them to be victorious. I'll pray the peace that passes all understanding rest on them. I'll pray the fruit of the Spirit increases in them more and more.

Will you join me? Decide now to leave a legacy that will live forever - a legacy of prayer.

I am submitting this post at The Loft, because this week at The Loft our topic is "Potluck: any post on any topic." My topic is legacy. What is yours? If you'd like to join the community, click here to link up or just to go visit some awesome bloggers that will challenge you spiritually.