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 still pray for my married “boys” and my grandsons. They never get too old for our prayers.
Having raised 2 daughters, I was blessed with a Grandson 10 years ago. Every day, I cover him (as well as his two sisters) in prayer. His parents have had a rough marriage, and unfortunately, he has not had a Godly role model in his father (who he adores). He is starting to not want to attend children’s programs at church…and I am beginning to see more rebellious behavior. Because he is only 10…I know that my husband and I still can have a positive influence on his future. I definitely want to read this book…and also pass it to my daughter…who is a good Mom, but is struggling to hold her family together. Lately, God has been impressing on me to BELIEVE. He CAN heal my family. He WILL raise up my Grandson to be a Godly man.
This parenting journey has just begun for me. Our baby boy is most precious and already I have a heart burden for his sweet soul. This sounds like a wonderful book to help us on our way. Thank you, Renee, for your ministry!
I am overwhelmed with testosterone in my home. I have four boys. One adult sin and two teenagers sand an eleven year old. I have faced many battles with my oldest, who is an addict. Try not taking responsibility fur that one.
My other sons are pretty well behaved but I am more concerned about their relationship with god than how well they behave. I am struggling to fit a family learning time into our lives. I feel so inatiquaite.
My dear sweet son, who has been the Bible thumper of his school is pulling back from God, and I’m worried. He says he just doesn’t care about ANYTHING! That nothing brings him joy. He tries to bring others some happiness hoping he might catch some. He needs to find real friends he can invest his emotions in and that will invest their emotions back! He just turned 14, and started high school, and there’s nothing I can do. I’m the enemy to him. I just keep praying and swatching fr a míracle. I would love to win this book, and any referals to blogs on boys…they’re hard to find!
Blessings
Kelly s
My boy is 5 and his name is Wesley Robert…but wen he was 2 he would have told you his name was “John Wayne Wesley Robert Bernard.” He would rather watch John Wayne movies than any cartoon. He has since reverted to cartoons more than John Wayne now, but you will still find him with a cowboy hat, boots, spurs and a play pistol on his side most days. He wants to be a cowboy. His father is a real life cowboy and we raise cattle on a farm. He looks up to his Dad. Wants to be just like his Dad. And this is where my heart cries for God to save my husband and my son’s one hero…his earthly father. My son and I pray together for his father to know Jesus. At 5 my son already has a very real awareness and love for the Lord and for people. He has a sensitive spirit and I believe God will use him and our 3 year old daughter to move my husband. In His time. His will. His way. I just struggle a lot of days with patience. And fear. And doubt. I want my boy to have a father worth following on this earth. Worth looking up to. Worth adoring. A father that has a relationship with Christ and is leading his family in that way. So for now, I pray. And I try to be the example. But I’m his mother. His father is his hero. So, I pray. I would love to read this book and be encouraged about how to pray. I seem to run out of things to say. But I know God knows and He hears and He will answer. In His time. His will. His way. Blessings to you in your ministry. Proverbs 31 is touching my heart so grand recently. I joined compel ministries this week and have already been blessed immensely. Praying for you and your son. So glad to hear your encouraging story!
My fourteen year old is one of the most compassionate, loyal, loving boys I know… But he struggles so much with learning disabilities that it has taken away his confidence. Instead of turning to God (who he loves with all his heart), he often gives up, puts himself down, and turns to goofing off with friends (who he lets bring him down also from time to time). I wish he knew and believed that God created him for such great things to do THROUGH his disabilities. I fear that his desire to follow the crowd will end up in disaster, and I pray God will protect him and show him how we can use our brokenness for the good of God’s Kingdom.
I’ve been struggling with my son for years, and he is now 20 and has moved out. He is my only child, and I am hating the empty nest feeling! Not only that, but I feel even more out of touch with him. My pastor gave me Ruth Graham’s book on the prodigal son, and I can’t wait to read this book. All I know to do is get on my knees and continue praying!
This sounds like an awesome book. As I was getting ready to get yo this form I read a thought by a mom of a 14 yr old. Mine just turned 14 yesterday and I too haven’t been very diligent about praying for him to find his purpose in life. I too also hover sometimes and want yo just tell him how he needs yo do something rather than letting him figure it out.
Thanks for offering this giveaway.
Just this little passage that I read just brought me to tears . I have three sons my oldest son moved out of our house and moved all the way across the ocean to Australia we live in Florida I go three years at a time without seeing him my heart breaks for him he needs to surrender and come back to Jesus so this passage that I read this morning gives me hope that my prayers are being affected .I have another son who is 20 and he too is on his journey which is heartbreaking at times when I see him struggle with his confidence and living for God on his own . I also have a 17 year old who just went through a heart surgury which God showed himself completely faithful to all of us ! My husband is a worship pastor so all my sons have been raised in church .each one I have to daily surrender to God and trust that His word prevails and as we have trained them up in the way that they should go,when they are old they will not depart from it !!I I love being a mama of boys but the struggles and worry can sometimes get overwhelming !thank you for taking the time to post this! God Bless-Jen
Renee, I am always praying for my 3 wonderful boys. My 25 year old son Troy, who happens to be my youngest. He is one of the gentlest men I know. I also pray for my 2 grandsons, Shamus, who will be 2 next Tuesday… a spirit-filled little guy with lots of energy and an impish grin and my oldest grandson, Andrew, our own miracle. Andrew turned 6 on the 6th. They told us he would not live 3 days but God had plans for Andrew. He is medically fragile, with an extremely rare genetic disorder. He is a gift from God and a blessing to all whose lives he touches. A precious reminder of God’s great love! I am sure I would love this prayer book!
I have a precious son that it is my priviledge to pray for & would enjoy this book.
I am mother to Colt (3) & Ruger (8 months) & I want to get it right at the beginning. I’m a new stay at home mom & the more time I spend with them (especially Colt), the more I find myself frustrated & unsure of my decisions. And I think prayer is the best antidote. And having prayer prompts from someone who has been there, sounds very encouraging!
I have two sons and a daughter in between. But my oldest, the one who’s quiet and tender-hearted, often emotional like me…he’s the one God gave me first. To learn how to parent in grace. He is so patient and forgiving with me. But I have battled shame and guilt through many seasons parenting him. So I would love to read this book! Just today he told me (he’s 11) that he felt gloomy today wondering about what his purpose in life is. Sometimes I forget what can be bouncing around in the mind…and how could I, since I am the same quiet thinker? Bless my dear son, Lord! That you would be his Rock.
I am a single mom to an almost 6 year old boy. He is the only guy in my life and I pray for him daily.
My boy isn’t a boy anymore. He’s 18, soon to be leaving the nest for university in about 6 months. I have been praying for direction from God as to which university he should attend that God knows is best for him. I have also been praying for which career path for the service of mankind suited for his gifts and abilities. At 18 he struggles with the purpose for which he was created. So many things scream for his attention to throw him off of the chosen path.
The boys I pray for are my 19 & 16 year old boys. I would love to read this book!
God must have led me to this site tonight! I have a 19 year old son who is in his first year of college and has strayed from the organizational church. He says church is filled with hypocrits and he won’t be a part of that anymore! There isn’t much I can say to that, because it is true! It is why they are there, son!! I have a 13 year old step-son and he has no desire for anything in life! He is perfectly fine with status quo. There really is nothing that lights his fire – nothing! So, I find myself on my knees frequently praying for these boys, that God would fill them up His love and His desire! I know He can do it – He can do anything. It’s just me being patient!!
It’s as though you read my heart today. Even though my boys are grown, my heart aches for them at times when I hear them question whether God exists. Driving home from work today, I said to myself, “I need to pray harder for them, teach me to pray for them”. Then when I got home and was going thru my emails I found this. You made me cry and smile at the same time. I look forward to reading this book! Thank you
I have a 10 y.o. son, and I’d love to have this book! I pray daily for him and my daughters, but I’d like a book specifically about praying for boys.