Today, Monday, and Tuesday, we begin preparing our hearts for the upcoming 21 Days of Prayer for Sons challenge by studying the first three chapters of Praying for Boys: Asking God for the Things They Need Most. As you read today, ask the Lord to reveal His heart for your sons, and prepare yours to begin praying on October first.
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“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
“Dear Son, please stop eating the dog food and playing with knives. Love, Mom.”
This is what a love note to my toddler son would read. Honestly, it probably wouldn’t sound quite that sweet. What you don’t hear are the exasperated sighs that wonder why such reminders are even needed. It seems boy moms share something in common: whether our boys are 3, 13, 23, or 30, they often leave us scratching our heads and wondering why.
I’ve been praying about those exasperated sighs.
Does God want to come along and make this raising a boy thing easier? Yes! But, He doesn’t wave a magic wand nor promise our boy’s blind compliance. Instead, He invites us to use His Word—the one that is alive and active (that means doing something!).
As a mom who works outside the house full time, I face the continual challenge to still give my family my best time, even when that doesn’t mean my most time. I continually look for ways to better connect my love for God and my love for them so I may more effectively be all that I am called to be right now—a righteous woman, wife, mom, and employee.
A Righteous Home Front
In reading Boys are A Battle Zone, the first chapter in Praying for Boys, I was struck by the discrepancy between Eli the Priest’s professional life and his home life. What a dichotomy that in the temple he is given one son to train in righteousness, while his own sons have no regard for God. It’s easy to read and question Eli, but I understand all too well how this disconnect occurs. When God is not our focus, we can “turn it on” in the workplace and act as we know we should. On the home front, where our true colors show, we can reap truly sad consequences when God is not at the forefront.
How can God remain a priority in raising our sons through the exhaustion that each day brings?
Through His Word—alive and active—His very breath, eager to work powerfully in our lives right now.
My first step in preparing for the battle zone began with my relationship with Hebrews 4:12. Do I really believe his Word is alive and active in every area of my life? Do I really believe that God’s Word can work powerfully in parenting our sons? Can I replace those exasperated sighs with God’s truth?
A sobering look inward made me realize that while I love God’s Word—studying it, writing about it, digesting it—I have not been using it nearly enough in my prayer life. The more I think on it, I truly believe that praying His Word is a powerful way to prevent disconnects in my own personal/professional/spiritual walk. It also helps to quiet those exasperated sighs.
What about you?
Do you believe God’s Word is alive and active in your life? How is it active in the role of raising your son? Could it be that God is challenging you to let His word be more active in your parenting?
Kate Carman believes each day should include celebration, the Bible, vulnerability, and coffee with French Vanilla creamer. She lives in Georgia with her husband and two young kids, works full time in commercial property management, and loves to write and encourage. You can read more from her on her blog.
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I’m in. MOB x2 (2 1/2 & 4 1/2) the first thing I realized is that God gave me these boys to show me the meaning of different! I often ask myself are my boys the only ones that act this way, I know they aren’t but I can’t seem to erase that thought.
You are not alone with different creatures, Julie 🙂 We are all in this together 🙂
Can’t wait to dive in!
I am so excited too! I love feeling part of a sisterhood of praying moms 🙂
It is RIDICULOUSLY clear that the Lord is using my two boys to draw me closer to him, to trust in him and to know that HIS word MUST be alive and active in my/our lives! Excited to do this challenge 🙂
I’m excited, too Sylvia, to watch God and His Word be active in our household. I am ready to be a different woman come the end of this month, it is easier to picture some days than others!!
I am praying that this challenge will help make God’s word more active in my life. I need the Lord to work in my son’s hearts and in mine.
I will be praying that for you, Martha. For God’s Word to take shape and form and action in your life in new and exciting ways that encourages both you and your son!
Thank you so much!
Can’t wait to start! My whole family needs this!
Mine too, Anna 🙂 An entire household benefits from prayer.
opening my eyes already!! thanks so much…can’t wait for more
Glad you were encouraged, Wendy! This will be an exciting month of study!
[…] chapters of Praying for Boys: Asking God for the Things They Need Most. If you missed day one, click here. As you read today, ask the Lord to reveal His heart for your sons, and prepare yours to begin […]
Really excited about this! I’m in a challenging time with my older guy, and I desperately need God’s instruction. Thank you!
God’s instruction and a sisterhood of moms who believe you and Him can do it are here for you, Paige!
I am so excited to take part in this challenge! God gave me my little boy because He knew I needed him. I needed him desperately and now he needs me to fight for him to become a Man of God.
I pray that this month we can all encourage one another in the fight, Rebekah! God put you two together for lots of powerful reasons, I’m sure 🙂
I am the mom of 5 beautiful boys and am so glad to have found this forum! I struggle with teaching them about God’s word because, I myself, am not well versed….I walk a ‘spiritual path’ and believe strongly in the power of prayer…but look forward to the guidance that this prayer challenge will provide. Thank you for doing such beautiful, important work here!
This is very timely for my family and I thank the Lord for everyone. It is going to be an awesome 21 day challenge
[…] chapters of Praying for Boys: Asking God for the Things They Need Most. If you missed day one, click here. Day two, click here. As you read today, ask the Lord to reveal His heart for your sons, and […]
Just so you know, little girls are a big challenge too, and come with those exasperated sighs and forehead touches. I’ve seen and heard that gesture all over the world too. So, this isn’t easy, but it’s so joyful! I know that God will guide us.
I think sometimes I push God and his word aside to deal with the every day. There is so much going on daily and my boys can sometimes be a casualty to my overwhelmed feelings. I was humbled to tears the other day when I realized that my boys were struggling in school. Then I remembered that I need to fight for them. My husband said that it is our job to help them not the schools. At first I was mad at him, doesn’t he realize how much I have to do every day???? Then I realized he is right. I have to fight for them and make time to help them out. I sent off a note my youngest sons teacher to find out how I can help him and decided to make it a priority to look over their homework and the papers they bring home. I am hoping and praying this month will help me connect and focus on praying for them.
I don’t believe Gods word is active and alive in my life. I read the word, I share it of course with everyone else and then there is my family. I lack sharing the word with them and it upsets me. I try to stop and think and make the right choices in all that I speak think or do, but it seems like such a task. When I speak to my 11 year old, the only boy in the house, I try and think about his feelings first but at times, i find myself saying things like “what is wrong with you? Why are you doing that? Thats is weird”. I don’t understand where he is coming from, he is so different from me and his 3 sisters. I pray that God will be with me and guide me to be the mom He wants me to be for my Bubby.
I’m so happy to be apart of this corporate prayer for our sons. Only Jesus can change and move their hearts to Him. I’m excite and looking for The Lord to do the supernatural in our sons lives.
I am starting a bit behind, but I am looking forward to this study. God is already working with me SO much about praying His word to break strongholds, and to recognize that it is HIS grace that moves mountains, not my works. I am praying for all of us that we will embrace what God is doing in our lives and in the lives of our sons.