This is day three of preparing our hearts for the upcoming 21 Days of Prayer for Sons challenge. We’re studying the first three 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 prepare yours to begin praying tomorrow!
**********
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Alone.
Just the sound of the word stirs up emotion. If you are in this place now, either spiritually or physically as a parent, you probably never intended for life to be this way. I know I didn’t. My husband and I eagerly welcomed all three of our children into the world as huge blessings from God, but I knew how proud he especially was to have two sons. Sons…to carry on his family name, to coach in sports, camp out with, and to train to be mighty warriors for Jesus.
Then, life happened… and it was full of grief and pain. The Lord took my husband home to be with him in February of 2013. And I was left staring at these little boys with big brown eyes and sweet, but energetic spirits, wondering the same thing I did when they were handed to me after they were born. How am I going to raise boys? Only this time, I felt even more clueless, with their father no longer there to guide me through the world of boys.
Going It Alone — 21 Days of Prayer for Sons Challenge
Truth is, even though we may feel like we are walking alone in this parenting journey, we really aren’t. Our Heavenly Father is always here to guide, comfort, and be strong in our weakness. He has promised to supply all of our needs. So where does that lead us as we approach Him in prayer? For me, it’s done three things.
- Intentionality – My prayers are more intentional. I have friends who say they are praying for my children regularly, but I don’t usually hear those prayers. When I feel like I’m the main one crying out to God for the hearts of my children, I don’t waste time praying for things that don’t really matter. I go right to the matters of greatest importance, asking Him for wisdom for myself and hearts in them that desire to obey Him and love others.
- Humility – I’ve become more humble with my prayers. I am well aware of my own capabilities and know that this job exceeds them. I just can’t do it all. But it is not about me. My current state in life forces me to fall on my face, fully reliant on my Savior.
- Opportunity – Because of that forced humility, I dream bigger. I am reminded of the miracles that God performed in the Bible, and am expectant for Him to still do miracles today in my children’s hearts. I trust that the story He is writing is greater and grander than I can see, and I pray big for them and their futures.
When the One who holds all of the riches in glory is the Creator and Sustainer in our families, we really never have to go at it alone. Trust Him, dear mama. He’s got this.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
If you are in the fight to raise godly sons alone right now, or know someone who is, in what ways have you seen God work already?
In what ways can you be praying bigger?
Christy Davis Headshot
Christy Davis is a mom of three precious children and loves coffee, good books and craft time. She writes at What Hope Looks Like from Here (www.davisfamilymoments.blogspot.com), a blog she prays will bring hope to women.
Not signed up for the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons challenge yet? We start tomorrow! Simply subscribe to the MOB Society blog now. That way, the posts will come straight to your inbox all month long!
Christy,
I love this quote: “I dream bigger. I am reminded of the miracles that God performed in the
Bible, and am expectant for Him to still do miracles today in my
children’s hearts. I trust that the story He is writing is greater and
grander than I can see, and I pray big for them and their futures.”
This chapter in the book is based on the life of my grandmother, Cack (as we called her), and one of the things she did so well was dream big for her children. If we really believed in the Word—in the God of the Word—and trusted him to be faithful to it, what would be possible?
I too, dream big, expecting big things from the Lord. I long to see him move in my family. Thanks for this beautiful reminder today that God is much bigger than we think he is, and able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could even think to ask.
My state of lack creates the perfect opportunity to rely on God’s greatness and his goodness. I’m driven to prayer because I am more aware than anyone that I cannot do this on my own!
While I am not physically alone, I am the driving force bringing God’s messages into our home. I am so thankful that God is doing amazing things in my son’s hearts. My older son loves Jesus and he is not shy to tell anyone. My 18th month old makes sure we pray each meal by stretching out his small hands when everyone is seated at the table to begin prayer. He always ends with a big AMEN! It is so good to see God’s hand working in our lives. But yes, I so often think we limit God in our prayers. We can’t even imagine what he has in store for us, and we just need to be obedient. I pray that every day.
Reading this couldn’t be more timely. God is funny that way.
I lost my husband to cancer 3 years ago…today. My son is 10 and the last month has been more difficult with him than I’ve had since Jerry first went home. Daily I am feeling alone, stretched, not enough, wore out, and defeated. But in the midst of it, God is reminding me that He is there and that I’m not alone and while I’m not enough, He is.
He has also been encouraging me to dream big! I just love His constant reminder to rely on Him and to dare to dream, something I haven’t done in many years. It’s scary, but He is faithful!
Amen, Vicki! So grateful that God is helping you dream again! I’m praying for a special dose of encouragement for you. Your month sounds a lot like mine. 🙂
Such a beautiful post. Thank you Christy. My heart goes to you for your heart ache in your process, but I thank God and you for your willingness to share your journey with us. You make God smile.
Revolutionary Colon Cleanse
Going it Alone
Such a timely post. My husband died in 2008. I had a 6 month old son and another on the way. It has been a journey, but God is so faithful. My love and dependence on Him grows each day. Thank you for offering words of hope and encouragement to many moms ,showing that living a life focused on God and not our circumstances brings true joy. God can do more with what we don’t have then we could ever do with what we do have!
My husband hasn’t passed away, he is in the military and deployment after deployment, training after training, working 24/7 almost every week has led me to be the main person to raise my son. I am lost. I don’t know what I am doing. We have this great bond though, this connection that I don’t have with my girls. Nobody understands it but him and I. I am not sure alot of the time, if I am making the right choices to lead him to be a Godly man, but I pray to God and ask him to lead me to do things the way He wants me to.