I noticed something different as soon as Andrew walked in the door. One evening, not so long ago, my 16-year old came home from working-out at the Y and told me a custodian had stopped him in the hallway and said he “looked like a champion” after working out. Andrew said he felt like giving the guy a hug because it made him feel good someone noticed his hard work lifting weights. Then he felt kind of awkard so he just told him “thanks” and kept walking.
But, when he got to the exit door, Andrew decided to drop his bag and run back to thank the guy for encouraging him.
The next morning as we were heading out the door for school, Andrew was still thinking about what had happened. He said he was tired of thinking about himself all the time and he’d decided any time he gets a sense in his heart that he needs to encourage someone, he’s going to follow through.
I did everything I could to hold back the tears. And with his permission I want to share why.
We have been on a hard part of Andrew’s journey this past year. A journey filled with doubts and hard questions about God, compounded by frustration and uncertainties about his purpose in life.
A journey that has broken my heart and brought me to my knees.
And while praying for my son, I’ve heard wisdom that could only come from his Heavenly Father.
- Wisdom told me not to react, but to listen closely as Andrew vented words that were hard to hear.
- Wisdom told me to keep my mouth shut, and let my actions speak louder than my emotions.
- Wisdom helped me breathe deep and look for ways to affirm unique gifts I’d seen in Andrew that he could no longer see in himself.
I have admired Andrew’s natural tendency to notice and encourage others for years. But it had disappeared. So, I’d been praying 1 Thessalonians 5:11 for him, asking Jesus to help this boy I love remember what brings him joy and purpose.
And God had answered, using the kindness of a stranger to stir up that life-giving gift in my son. That day, a ray of hope broke through the clouds. And each day it gets a little brighter as I stay on my knees and in God’s word on my son’s behalf.
Parenting is hard. It can leave a mama feeling worn out and weary from the battle for the hearts of her children.
If that is you, please keep reading and enter today’s special giveaway. I’m excited to introduce you to my new friend, Brooke McGlothlin. Brooke knows what it’s like to want to wave the white flag and give up the fight but she also knows God has called mothers to get in the battle. So how do we do that in the most effective way? By coming alongside them in prayer.
Brooke just released a new book, Praying for Boys: Asking God for the Things They Need Most, And I love it! So I’m giving away a copy today!
From fun boy mom humor, to insightful biblical wisdom, Brooke helps mothers of boys discover their value and power as praying moms. In Praying for Boys Brooke teaches us to discover delight in the chaos of raising boys, and helps us have more peace in our hearts and homes. {Disclaimer: If you have a daughter, don’t worry I’ve got another friend whose written a book for you and I’ll be giving away one soon!}
But if you are a mom of boys, I want to tell you a little more because this book is a praying-boy-mom’s treasure chest!
Praying for Boys will:
- Help you stop hovering, and start covering.
- Give you permission to wave the white flag, while empowering you with the tools you need to keep going.
- Help you recognize your value and power as a praying mom.
- Overcome feelings of failure, and walk in confidence as a mom.
My favorite part is that Brooke includes over 200 topically-organized, Scripture-based prayer prompts for 21 areas in which boys struggle the most.
Brooke McGlothlin is Co-founder of Raising Boys Ministries, where moms and dads come to discover delight in the chaos of raising boys. You can find her writing about fighting for the hearts of her sons at the MOB Society blog. Brooke is also a homeschooling mom to her two boys and happily married to the man she’s had a crush on since the third grade.
ENTER TO WIN: Click “Share Your Thoughts” below this post and tell me about the boys you pray for.
I’ll choose a winner Sunday night, and announce it on my blog Monday, along with the 5 winners that will be picked from Wednesday’s Giveaway.
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I love this email and would love to read Praying for Boys !! I constantly pray for my 13 yr old son. He is “Living in the World” by moving in with his father ( my ex husband) 1 yr ago. My present husband and myself are Christians and are having such a Spiritual Batlle in dealing with this. We are trying to lead by example and are Praying ALOT !!!!!! God is All-Knowing , All-Powerful and Definately is holding our hands thru this.
I Am a mother of a 9 year old son who is constantly trying me at times but has brought me happiness too. My prayer is for him to instill Christ in his life and make mature decisions as he grows older. I love my son with all my heart just want him to know and understand that.
I have 3 brothers,3sons, and 6 grandsons. I love them all immensely! I have learned so much from them!
Recently ! The Lord has brought me in contact wit a single mom of a 12 year old. For the very first time he openly lied to her. She was crushed. I found myself sharing lots of stories with her from my own experiences.
I was praying on the way home in the car about hooking her up with a book that she could use. Then I read your blog for the day.The Lord just dropped you into my life. What a great book that would be for her to use with her son. Thank you for bringing this to our attention!
God Bless,
Sue
This is an answer to a prayer. I had my son late in life and it seem as if I hover, nag and nothing get through if I don’t stay on him he goes no further than my push. He is a good son that needs to know God for himself, but instead of compelling him it seems as if I’m hindering. He was a part of ROTC in school and wanted to service his country after graduating, His medical records was mixed up and one word that has been since remove from his medical record has cause a problem now he has lost what faith he has that all thing work together for the good of those who love the Lord. I need to know how to pray and trust God and know when to be silent and when to encourage.
I am so excited about this book. What you were saying about your son and how he encourages people is like my sweet boy. He is almost 10 and such a sweetheart. But I do worry as he gets older how that may change. This book sounds like a great way for me to learn to release him and trust the Lord with him.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Wow – did this grab my heart this morning! I have a son who will be 16 next week – he is beautiful, talented, smart, bold – but he can turn me inside out and upside down on a daily basis! He has been in the “stretching boundaries and finding my independence” stage for about 2 years – and although he has not fallen to any of the horrible vices that press on our teenagers these days, he’s not reaching his potential. I find myself worrying to the point of exhaustion sometimes! My prayers become so chaotic because that how my heart feels when I’m praying for my son! He’s my only child – I have one of those horror-birth-stories that led us to praise God for the one child He gave us and move on! The description of this book sounds like the encouragement and guidance I need right now – I want to step back and let God do His planned work in my son’s life, but that frantic desire to protect him and teach him gets in the way sometimes! I can’t wait to check out Brooke’s blog – I know God led me here this morning and has some wisdom waiting for me!
I have been blessed with one wonderful son. I pray over him, wanting him to see the great qualities that God has given him. I pray that he will come to know the Lord and live for him and use the gifts he has to bring glory to His name. I sometimes fret over what he is being shaped by out in the world and don’t want these things to snatch him away from knowing God more. My greatest desire is for him to live for God while on this Earth fulfilling the purpose that God has instilled in Him from before He formed him in the womb. My son has such a loving heart, with a hysterical sense of humor and I want him to keep that. I just know how this world can cause you to become calloused and bruised, and I also know I can’t keep him from any of it. It’s just my Mother’s heart wants to protect him as much as I can. I’m sure you can relate. 🙂
Melissa
I desperately need prayers for my 29 and 25 year old sons. Also, my 7 year old grandson who is autistic.
My 2 boys (especially the youngest one) have serious alcohol problems. They have been in trouble with the law since they were in middle school and have also had prior drug issues. It has been a long hard road (especially raising them as a single mother). They have had a difficult time keeping jobs and have also been in a string of bad relationships. I just pray that God will save my boys from themselves before it’s too late. It’s so hard to see your children go thru life this way- neither of them have a relationship with God. They both have so much potential, but all they are doing is throwing their lives away. I’m afraid they will either die of alcohol poisoning or kill themselves or someone else in a car accident. It’s so hard to live this way- constantly worrying about their health and safety.
Before I became a mom, I knew parenting was a challenge, but I was completely unprepared for reality! I love my son, but I feel so overwhelmed and clueless. I worry so much about “messing him up” with my mistakes that I’m almost afraid to spend time with him (which would be the worst mistake). I need help! 😛 I’m so thankful that God does help when we pray, trust Him, and follow His guidance.
Andrew has his Momma’s heart for encouraging others! Praising Him for answered prayers. Love ya!
Thank you for sharing your personal story about your son! God has blessed me with one of each, I believe it’s because they both challenge, uplift, and cause me worry! I pray for them daily and we praying nightly as a family but they are young yet, 10 and 9 but the years are going quickly!
Thank you Renee for helping us all feel like we can breathe a sigh of relief knowing we’re not the only one going through challenges with s children.
Blessings,
Dawn
I’m praying for a son, a son-in-law and four grandsons. Your post is so encouraging. Praise God!
I just got off the phone with my son who is discouraged with his job. It is not what he wentt to college to do. The economy has not been great and even though he is greatful to have a job, it is not what he feels is his purpose in life. He is frustrated in figuring out his purpose. I encouraged him and when we hung up, I began to pray for my son. I would love to receive a copy of this book. I am so grateful that we serve a God who is always available to hear us and answers us.
Kathy
I have 3 boys that I pray for all the time; our youngest is at the stage where he knows it all and doesn’t listen to anyone, so he makes it very difficult to connect with. But he is in college and seeking direction for which way to go and what to do. Our oldest son, I’m doubtful whether he knows the Lord or not, so I pray for his salvation. He has been through some difficult times and our relationship has been nonexistent at times, but he’s coming around to that again. Our relationship is finally back on track. Our middle son, is our sensitive one and he gets hurt easily. He has no idea at this point what he wants to do or what direction God wants him to go in. I think he does seek God but just isn’t close enough to Him to always hear what He has to say. So I pray constantly for all three of my boys (as well as our daughter and her husband). Our boys are 20, 21 and 25; all living on their own with their girlfriends. Life is so difficult these days to connect and communicate in ways they can all understand with each one being so different.
I pray for my five year old little boy, already so curious about the ways of this world, and my nephews who are 3, 6, and 8.
My three sons are 23, 18, 14. What a joy it has been to be a mom to these three young men. They are all loving’ and caring and supportive of each other, and they treat their momma and dad well. I have found that through each stage of the journey of raising these young men the hardest part for me thus far has been in letting them go. Letting them find their way in the world. I have spent many days, nights in prayer over them and hurt when I see how they struggle to find their way in this world or pay the consequences of their mistakes. They know that they are loved and I am thankful that love covers a multitude of sin for I have made mistakes along the way. My prayer is that one day they will walk with The Lord and have a faith that can move mountains. In the meantime I pray.
I was soo moved by your post today I am a mom of 6 boys and I my youngest son Kyle has also been struggling with his purpose in life .. in my prayer time God told me the same thing he told you just listen to him ..I was soo blessed when I read you email today soo encouraging ……
My husband and I have 5 children – 3 of which are “boys” – young men. One will be graduating college this spring and we are covering him in prayer as he trusts in God to provide him with a job. Our next son will be graduating high school in the spring and we have been watching God work and move in his life as God is calling him to a year of mission work to the First Nations community in BC Canada. And our third son is a sophomore in high school and struggling greatly with his identity. We adopted him at 15 mo. and the past year and a half have been very hard for him/ all of us. God IS our refuge and strength – the solid rock on which I stand and intercede on behalf of all my children!!!!
I wish I had this book like 40 years ago! I have 3 sons; thought my husband could show them all about life. I now know that Mom’s do a whole lot for their young men. So far none of them have been bad (no jail time).
They just don’t go to church. This does effect the gandchildren (we live sooo far away). I plan to try to start each day with prayer before I get out of bed. I believe I should call them by name.
I have two boys 18yrs and 20yrs old. It was tough because they lost their father when they were 12yrs & 14yrs old, I would not listen to them and one day it became so bad that my dad intervened, and my father sat us down and said Shontel you need to listen to the boys hear what they have to tell you, you need to ask God to guide you, you cannot fight with them all the time, I told my dad, they don’t listen to me. My father looked at me and said commit this situation to the Lord he will answer you, I was down on bended knees, my sons still did what they wanted. God told me be still and know that I am God. Today I have obedient and respectful boys. I still pray for them. God is truly an awesome God. Amen