"I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:3-7).

While waiting for his execution, the indefatigable Paul wrote his final letter to his beloved spiritual son, Timothy. In it he offers his heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving for Timothy, reminding the young evangelist of his constant prayers. In this prayer Paul cites two precious witnesses who helped Timothy receive his faith in the risen Christ: his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.

Here we see the power of these family members influencing a beloved son and grandson toward saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This intimate insight into how Timothy came to believe is especially meaningful to me. I firmly believe I became a Christian because of the prayers of my mother and grandmother. Without their prayers, I am firmly convinced I would never have believed. I thank God on a regular basis that these two beloved ladies prayed for me.

Frank Simon