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.
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I have two sons. Almost 13 and 11. We are a military family and preparing to move again in 3 months. The boys basically love each other, they share a room, but there is a lot of fighting and wrestling and trying to establish power. I, of course, and a hover and do -it-all kind of mom. I need to let go – let them grow into the amazing boys/men they are going to be but I would love to be covering them in prayer so that I can rest in that fact. Love the story you shared about your son.
Moving is hard. Have two boys is hard. Being a parent is hard. But I love it – I just want to be better at it.
I pray for my 2 sons-24yr old searching for the path God has chosen for him and my 14yr-the temptations that are waved in front of and him ,that he will be strong to resist those and remember that he is a child of God. Also I pray a future son-in-law
Renee, thank you so very much for sharing your son’s story! I truly needed to hear those words & am committing to praying 1 Thessalonians 5:11 for my 15 yr old daughter. We too have been travelling down a rough road with her this school year and sometimes I look at her and want to check for a zipper – to see if someone is wearing a costume to make them look like my daughter, because the words & actions do not match who we have always known her to be. Thank you for your words they are a blessing from God to remind me that there is hope and to keep pressing on. Blessings to you, Jody
I recently married a man with a son. I have a daughter so I have a hard time understanding what boys go through. I believe this book will help me know how to pray God’s word for Nathan as he finds his way in this world.
Renee, I am so excited you shared this book! I can’t wait to read it. Always looking for more truths and promises to pray over my sweet boy.
Love you,
Wendy
This could not be more timely. Driving my son to school this morning, he confided in me that he was struggling with a difficult decision. After dropping him off , I said a quick prayer at the next stoplight on his behalf. Raising a boy is a blessing but can sometimes be a challenge.
I pray for my sons and my husband and I could really use the guidance of this book! Thanks for posting information about it. Looks like a great resource.
This book is a reminder I need to pray for my son too. I realize I’ve been putting all my energy and prayer into my older girls. I think it is because I fear they will have to go through the same things I have and I don’t really know that much about boys.
I have 2 sons. They are 31 and 27. As parents we can never pray enough for our children. From finding the perfect mate to making the right choices. We still pray for them and the struggles they face as adults. It makes a Moms heart warm when you see rhe fruits of those prayers being answered. Boys are wonderful and I always knew God wanted me to be a Mom of boys. Since I never had girls he sent me a beautiful granddaughter and 2 precious daughter in laws. I tell my daughter in laws all the time that we have been praying for you for many years and we did not even know your name. We planted seeds when they were young and God has blessed us to see the fruits of those prayers! I continue to pray!
Thanks for the encouragement to pray better! My boy at home is 21, my other “boys” are my Marine son, two sons-in-law, one darling grandson and even my hubby and brother. Thanks to the LORD for your servant’s heart to encourage us through Proverbs31 ministry. We appreciate you and all our sistahs in the LORD! Have a delightful day in Jesus!
I am the only “woman” in our family – 2 sons (ages 21 and 24) and my dear husband. There have been MANY challenges – sometimes I feel like waving the white flag! And, to stop hovering but cover them in prayer is a challenge to me. I feel that I should have/could have been a better mom. I love them and I know God loves them even more. This book sounds wonderful!
Pray for my daughter as she raises her wonderful, precious, 3 yr old son Rylee and for Rylee to grow and become what God has planned for his life. Pray Rylee will know Jesus as his Savior and trust Him. Pray for God’s protection, grace, mercy, love and guidance over Rylee. Prayers of thanksgiving for blessing us with Rylee and the joy and love he brings through him. How wonderful to be Nana and experience God’s love and presence in this way. As a mother, you feel love in a new dimension and it is indescribable. As a grandmother, it is again brand new and another revelation of God’s glory. Oh how our Heavenly Father loves us SO much more, so much better with such deeper understanding than we can even imagine; but he gives us a glimpse of the magnitude, through our children and grandchildren. Praise God for all these blessings and may Proverbs 22:6 be evident in Rylee’s life.
Raising boys is hard because the way society has tried to form their minds on earthly things
Instead of Godly things. They want them to be selfish an self centered. But tne Bible days train a chil in the wAy they should go an tney will not depart from it. Our boys need our prayers .
Oh my where do I start, I have the brady bunch!~ My husband and I have 3 boys and 3 girls ~ we are a blended family with many blessings and challenges. Our two peas in a pod boys seem to be the ones struggling the most at the moment but all have had their struggles. Yes, one is my biological and one is his. We have had the prodigal child syndrome a couple of times too! but these last two do need a lot of prayer! Thank you for your site and God inspired words of hope and love. God always knows when I need them most@!
I struggle with my boy at times I feel so unrelatable to him and not something I like feeling. He struggles with listening and doing things before the thinks. This book may be an answer to prayer.
I love this post! I continually pray for my 16 month old son, Evan. Since my husband and I found out we were pregnant, I have prayed for God to protect him and for his salvation. Every night, we say our prayers and I pray for a hedge of protection around him, for Evan to have an open heart toward God and for him to be kind to others. I pray that he will accept Christ in his life and become the man God wants him to be.
I know the book will definitely be useful as Evan grows and encounters different stages in life!
Thanks for sharing. I subscribed to the blog 🙂
I pray for my two grandsons and their wonderful parents. As I watch these sweet boys, ages 3 and 5 months, I am sometimes at a loss as to what to pray. I am grateful for the promise of the Spirit who intercedes for us. This is a battle not to be lost.
Thank you for your blog that encourages and inspires.
That was beautiful. As a parent and a mother, we do spend many hours on our knees. Always keeping you and your family in our prayers.
I have 5 boys 13, 12, 10, 8, & 5. The 13 yo doctors say he ADHD and my 12 yo the Dr’s say he’s ADHD & pediatr bipolar. Sometimes I find myself praying for those two more than the three youngest. My 12 yo have been to numerous mental hospitald & ive been back and forth to school plenty of times. There were days that i just wanted to just give & questioning God why. This book would be great resource for me to pray for all my boys because since my walk w God has been better i know there’s no better word than our Heavenly Father. Thanks for having this giveaway!