A Grandma’s Legacy Of Prayer And Love

My grandmother’s name is Chief Abigail Adebayo; she was a praying grandmother.  No one else prayed for me as much as she did that one day I would be married and have children of my own. She died a few months before I met my husband.

While she was alive, she never rammed the bible down my throat or preached at me. All mama did was pray, love her family, serve her community, and was actively involved in her local church.

Mama was known as the peacemaker. She settled disputes in my family without taking sides. Mama’s mission was for people to know Christ, dwell in peace and love. She was a mother to everyone that needed one, to both men and women alike.

Mama extended her love to Muslims, atheist, and anyone in need of love. Her love knows no boundary or limits. Women in her community called on her to settle marital disputes.

She exemplified the Titus women – “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God.” Titus 2:3-5

Our world today is lacking those Titus women.

Mama was a businesswoman, an entrepreneur. She worked till her health and old age affected how much she could do. Even then continued to pray for others. Mama may not be young, but she was funny and full of love, she connected with all her grandchildren.

Even though I was privileged to spend holidays abroad in Europe, my favorite holiday memories were at my grandma’s house. Mama didn’t have a lot, but she loved a lot. She dragged us up to church every morning at 5 am, most, we were still half asleep. God helps the child that mama caught sleeping, she will be woken up by a pinch, and I mean a really painful pinch.

Sadly, when mama was alive, I didn’t appreciate or recognize the most important lessons she had taught me. All along she was teaching me, showing me by living her life so transparently that prayer works.

In my rebellious teenage years, while I get up to no good. I warned my friends not to do as I did except they had a grandma back in Africa on her knees day and night praying. I knew mama was always praying, and I was covered in prayers.

The day mama died; I felt like I’d lost my insurance cover. I knew that I could not boast of anyone else interceding in prayer for me with the same intensity and fervency as she did.

I have never doubted that prayer works, but I was lazy about prayer early on in my walk with God. Prayer, for me, was something that I had to work on, the more issues I had, the more I ran to God. The more He delivered me from my troubles.

She left me a legacy of prayer; a lasting and living testament that is better than silver or gold. A legacy I’m now passing on to my children. As a mom, I desire to raise godly children that not only know God but also knows His voice.

Now that I am a parent, what kind of legacy am I going to leave for my children? I don’t have to think far or look elsewhere. I want to be just like my grandma, leaving behind a legacy of prayer for my children and grandchildren.

Prayer works, that much I know and I intend for them to discover it too without ramming it down their throat.

When your time is done here on Earth, what will be your legacy?
What do you want others to remember about you?

Mama, I love you, and I wish you are here right now. God has answered all your prayers for me. Yes, I am married to a great man of God, blessed with three amazing children. And I have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Thank you for leaving me a legacy of prayer, faith, and love. Though you are no longer with us, I carry you in my heart. Thank you for leaving me a template that I can build on.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. 1 Thess 5:17