May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.—Psalm 141:2 (NIV)

My husband’s grandmother Rhoda died last year at the age of 102. But she was my grandma too, since David and I have been married for more than three decades. Although Grandma grew quieter and weaker toward the end of her life, she was still very much herself. Her main challenge was that she had become legally blind. 

Her inability to see, however, didn’t much slow her down. She knew her way around her small apartment and her assisted living community by heart. She listened to audiobooks. She would point out, to anyone visiting her, the pieces of art on the wall and tell them about where she’d gotten that photo or who had made that painting. Funny and talkative, she was a delight. 

Being blind also didn’t affect her spiritual life, and her love of Jesus shone brightly. She recited Psalm 23 every day and prayed for each and every one of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren by name. She told me that every single day she listed nearly thirty names in prayer. 

I’m not blind and I don’t have grandchildren yet, but my memory of Grandma speaking my name and the names of her loved ones in prayer inspires me to do the same. Thank You, Jesus, for Your faithful servant Rhoda. 

Faith Step: Jot down the names of five people whom you love before spending time in prayer. Take a few minutes to pray for each person, thanking Jesus for something you love about them and asking Him to encourage and protect them.