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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This was so encouraging! I sent it to my daughter! I (we) pray for my grandson who is 10. He is such a special boy that God has given much wisdom, talent and insight. I pray that he will always follow God, and be a ‘Daniel’. He, his sister(15) and his mom (my wonderful daughter) live with me and my husband. The kid’s dad passed away last June, and we are a very big part of Clay’s ‘support team’. Grandpa plays football with him, mom and sister play basketball with him, and I (Gramma) hit a baseball to him in the summer. Did I mention he loves all sports that use a ball? 😉 I pray for a special protection over his heart and mind as he follows Jesus.
The other two ‘loves’ I pray for are my other 2 grandsons. I pray for Colin (14) that he would come to know Jesus as his personal Savior. I also pray for little Lorenzo (1) that He will follow Jesus with his whole heart and be used of God.
Thanks for this!
May you be blessed!
I pray for my 2 adult sons! I can not stop praying for them just because they are adults!! They seem to need the most prayer now! They grew up in the church and know the Truth so I trust God’s plan for them and stand on His promise of Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of the book!!
I pray for my grandson who is nine years-old. His parents are not together and neither of his parents will take him to church. I would love to give this book to his mother to help her know the impact of a mother’s prayer.
Thank you for these comments today. That is just what I needed! I’ve been praying for my boys since before they were born, but sometimes I just don’t think I’m praying the right words for them. Ages 16, 9 and 20. This book is what I need!
Thanks for this important resource. I am praying for my grandson who was born today.
This one especially touches me, as I have been struggling within myself. As a parent, I feel like I have let down my wonderful grown son by not doing a better job of ‘introducing’ him to God early in life. There was a half-hearted effort, thrown in during my single-parenthood raising of him, and his grandmother took him to church for a little while before she passed from liver cancer. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe in God or that he shouldn’t… I just didn’t make the good faith effort and so he was left to decide on his own what to believe about religions, beliefs, faith, God, the Bible. Of course, I have always tried to be a good role model and be kind to everyone, honored my parents, etc. But, I didn’t attend church regularly, very spotty at times and then 2 years in Brazil with nothing. By the time we returned to the States, he had a mindset of his own. It isn’t that he doesn’t want to believe, he just doesn’t have faith that God is there. But he’s not denied Him, just questions if He is real or not and it is easier to not believe. Every single day I talk to God about my son, praying fervently that God will touch his heart, his head, whatever it takes to get his attention. I don’t ask for miracles, just the Spirit to enter him and start working from the INSIDE out, while I now work on the OUTSIDE in. I continue to model what it is, get the information to him as I am able, question him, let him question me. I am NOT giving up on my son. God didn’t give up on me, so how can I? Please pray for both of us. That I can help bring God’s light to my son and that my son will see it.
Having the privilege of being Mom to 1 son and also 1 daughter, I have seen how differently God created them. Each one, man & woman; a reflection of our Creator. It has also caused me to learn to pray differently for each one individually. I need all the resources I can get, as I want to continually lift my young adult children to the Lord. As Moms, we don’t ever stop caring, loving & thinking of them as our “kids”. Even when they are officially “adults”.
Thank you for offering this resource!
As a mother of three sons and three grandsons, I wished I had this resource.
My boys are 14 and 19. I pray for God’s protection, direction, and favor in their lives every day. My 14 year old has a soft heart for family. He has (surprisingly by his dad and I) ministered to his older brother who has struggled with “understanding” God. My older son has had a tender heart for God and people. Some of that changed at 16 years of age when he remembered a traumatic event that happened to him when he was a little boy. His struggles, doubts about God, and anger issues have brought many tears to my eyes. There are times my heart aches so badly. My motherly flesh wants to take over and speak “words of wisdom.” But I have to stop and listen to the Holy Spirit, which is very difficult at times. I still see the tender heart of my hurting older son. I know it ‘s there. He just needs God’s healing. I will fervently continue to pray for boys. I believe it is one of the most important things a mother can do:)
I’m posting this for my friend Gwen who has two wonderful boys that she prays for each day. She is learning to let go instead of hovering, but she’s filled with doubt about how to do that. She’s so loving and fiercely protective of them and yet she’s so hard on herself when there are struggles and hard issues to tackle. I’m so glad there’s a book out there just for her! Thanks for sharing with us!
I have a 10 year old that I pray for everyday however I know our journey is only going to get harder as he grows older and the challenges he faces will be tougher. I would love to read Brooke’s book. thank you.
I would love to have the book – to read, then share w/friends! I don’t have children but help ‘parent’ several nieces & nephews. One recently broke up with his girlfriend & in his heart-break, reached out to me, and we had several phone conversations where asked me to pray for him & I just got to love on him, encourage him & pray for him. A couple times later when he called, asking for prayer, I asked him to pray first. My heart swelled with love as he talked to our heavenly Father. Oh how God loves to encourage us!
I love my sweet, goofy boy and love that he has met friends in his youth group that enjoy each other so much. You just keep plodding in faith and then the sky opens up and your steps are oh so much lighter!! Your child is again happily worshipping! So many prayers I need to pray for him and spiritual guidance is always good. Love the thoughts behind this book!!
Thank you for this post today. I have a 17 year old son who your son reminds me of. I miss the way he used to laugh and share with us. I need to start praying more for him.
I have a 2 year-old son, Barrett. He is such a joy and has added endless amounts of love and laughter to our lives, but he is also strong-willed, and I find myself struggling almost daily to maintain a sense of calm and sanity! I could definitely use this book…especially with #2 on the way 😉
My sister sent me the link to this post as she knows how desperately I love my two boys. As a single mom raising two boys without an earthly father I realize my role in raising them to be Godly men is a vital one. I do spend so much time I feel talking and teaching and would love to learn more about praying for them…praying that the Holy Spirit work on the soil of their hearts to help them as they grow and give them the desire to know God in a personal way and as the Father they both desperately long for.
My son is Kevin & even though he is grown now, I still have a lot to pray about for him! He’s still at home while finishing his education. Kevin told me several years ago that he no longer believes in God or going to church. So, I have lots to pray about! But he’s a good son, & a good man, who cares about his family & friends, but not about anyone else. I can see God’s hand moving in his life, & the tremendous potential in him, even if he can’t right now! Keeping quiet is sometimes hard to do, but I try & of course I pray for him, but knowing how to pray over specific areas would be helpful!
Wow! I’m so excited to see this book! I am a mom of three boys. I love my boys and I desperately want them to be men after God’s heart and will for their lives. I admit it is tough being a mom of boys at times. I grew up in a house of women (mom, my older sister and myself) because my parents divorced when I was 7 and my father was absent from my life. Mom was good, but I realize now how not having dad around certianly left a void in my life. However, I praise God daily for these precious guys in my life. My high school sweetheart husband of 25 years, my sons Andrew 20 and twins Matthew and Michael 17. I pray everyday that they will be faithful fathers and husbands in God’s timing.
I pray for my sons, Adam who is 6 and Ethan who is 18mos. I pray that we are doing this parenting thing right and showing them God every step of the way so that they turn into Godly men themselves. I pray for my husband and when I remember I pray for the man my daughter will eventually marry. I don’t do that one as much as I should. Thanks for this today.
I pray for my sons Nolan Nd Connor, the boys in my daughter’s Kindergarten class and my husband and brother in law.