I savor compliments from my grandchildren. I love it when they run into the kitchen, grab me around my waist and say, "You're the best granny!"

I thank God every day for my children and grandchildren and for the responsibility to train them to know and love God.

This summer when my grandson, Wyatt, received the news of his pending surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, he asked my husband not to tell me because he didn't want me to worry. Then, with a second thought, he emphatically added, "You better tell Granny because she'll pray for me."

When my husband relayed the conversation to me, my heart was filled with joy - not because Wyatt was suffering but because he knew in his heart that prayer changes things. The greatest gift we can give children is to teach them about prayer. Over the last few weeks, I reassured Wyatt I was praying for him daily.

Although I never had the opportunity to know my great grandfather, the Rev. Ephraim Pray Hammond, I have always treasured a picture in my mind of him praying for me. My mother told me that the funeral director commented he had never seen knees so calloused - but knew it was because grandpa had spent a lifetime of interceding for his family and community. Likewise, I want my children and grandchildren to have a mental picture of me on my knees interceding to Jesus on their behalf.

This week, the results came back from the MRI. There is no torn ACL - praise God. The problem was with two pieces of cartilage rubbing together and the doctor explained how that would heal in time.

I encourage you to believe in prayer and to show your children and grandchildren Bible verses they can hold onto as a promise of God's love for them.

Here's one of my favorites: Philippians 4:6 - "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done" (NLT).

"Lord, let our knees grow calloused, while our hearts grow tender for more prayer time with you."