Toward the end of the year, I begin to see many of my friends and blogging family choose their word of the year. Many of them pray and ask the Lord what the theme of their year should be, and in some way only God can explain, they find a word that sums up what they believe God will accomplish for them in the new year.
I think it’s lovely, and good, but I like to take that word of the year a step further.
What I have felt led to do, and what I believe matches my personality and bent much better, is to choose a verse to pray for my sons each year. It ends up being something I pray for the whole family, because so much of the theme of our lives together revolve around what God is doing in the lives of our children.
God reveals my deepest sin through the actions and reactions of my sons, and gives me grace to see my great need through theirs. (<<—Tweet That).
So this choosing of a verse to pray? I take it very seriously, spending time in prayer, asking God to lead me to the one that suits us best. And just like I did in 2014, I’ll ask you (and me) again…
What if we got serious about praying for our boys in 2015?
What if instead of just saying we need to pray more for them, we actually did?
What if we prayed God’s very Word for them, believing that it will never return empty (Isaiah 55:11), but accomplish exactly what God purposes it to?
What if we knew that delays in answer to our prayers weren’t necessarily “no’s,” but opportunities to grow and trust and know God more?
It appears to me that believers have generally expected far too little present fruit from their labors for children. They hope that the Lord will someday confirm their instruction and answer the prayers which they offer up on the children’s behalf. The Bible assures us that in everything we do for the Lord, including bringing up children in the fear of the Lord, our labor is not in vain. We have to guard against thinking that it does not matter whether we see present fruit or not. On the contrary, we should give the Lord no rest until we see fruit. Therefore, in persevering yet submissive prayer, we should make our requests known to God. (The Autobiography of George Muller).
With this in mind, and with my heart refreshed and renewed in the belief that all things are possible with God, I’ve chosen Romans 15:13 as my prayer verse for 2015.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
You may remember that my verse for 2014 included a theme of joy, too. I prayed specifically for God to let us sing for joy at the work of His hands, and He accomplished this for us over and over. It wasn’t quite like I thought it would be, but God showed Himself for us many times, and we sang for joy.
As I look at the hearts of my sons, and combine what I see there with the needs of my own heart and that of my husband, the need for joy is still there. But there’s also a need for constant hope.
Surprisingly, joy and hope seem to go together often in the Bible. I did a quick search and there are many verses that include both words. My conclusion? Joy brings hope.
One of the most pervasive, weed-like feelings I endure as a mom is weariness. It winds its way around me, binding my heart and controlling my emotions until sometimes I can’t even see God. When I get in that place of ultimate weariness, where the voice of God feels far away and my present circumstances are all I can see, joy is a distant memory and hope seems dead.
But I can choose to remember.
There is a God who doesn’t just make hope available…He IS hope (1 Timothy 1:1), and we can access the hope He gives, the hope He IS, as we find joy in Him.
How do you find joy in God and hope for the new year?
- Read His Word. Allow your heart to be strengthened knowing that what God has done, He can do again.
- Remember the way He has worked for you in the past.
- Worship Him in the midst of trials (that’s when you need Him most).
- Pray, and ask Him to show you more about who He is and how He wants to work in your life.
So my prayer for my sons (and my family) in 2015 will look something like this:
“God of hope, fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in You, so we may overflow with hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13).
This will be my prayer, but your son’s needs might be different. So today, I’d like to encourage you to take a moment to pray, asking the Lord to bring to mind one word that describes something your family needs to have from Him in 2015.
Then search the scriptures for one verse that captures the heart of that word, and make it yours for 2015. Print it out. Hang it outside your son’s room, and pause to pray it over him morning and night, or any time you walk by.
After you’re done, would you take a moment to share what you’re praying for your boys in 2015?
Just jot it down in the comments. If you feel comfortable, tell us why you chose that verse. Our team will personally pray for each of you by name using the verse you write below as our guide.
Take Action:
1. Choose your own prayer verse and write it out below. Need help choosing one? Feel free to use Brooke’s as your own, and download this free wallpaper to display on your computer and phone by signing up for the BoyRaiser newsletter!
2. Start 2015 by covering your sons in prayer from head to toe. Join over 12,000 other boy moms who have taken Brooke’s 5-day Praying for Boys prayer challenge.
Brooke McGlothlin is co-founder and President of Raising Boys Ministries. She’s a mother of two boys who believes God has chosen her to fight for the hearts of her sons. She can be found most often on her knees in prayer, not because she’s so holy, but because God is. Not because she knows how to raise godly men, but because God knows the plans He has for them.
She’s the author of Praying for Boys: Asking God for the Things They Need Most, and co-author of Hope for the Weary Mom: Let God Meet You in the Mess.
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I chose proverbs 3-5:6 as our verse for 2015 as I feel that our 12yr old is struggling to turn to God and trust him with his life. Also, in my husbands line of work a lot of things are out of our control and we need to trust God with where we live etc
What a wonderful idea, Brooke. I need to really pray about this and find a scripture that speaks to my heart.
Janelle
Your verse Romans 15:13 really resonated with me. My husband has recently walked away from his faith, and the words of this scripture couldn’t have said better what my desire is for my children & I as we walk through this season. To trust Him joyfully, and to wait in hope fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit to draw my husband back to himself, and to keep us walking close to Him, grounded in our faith. Also, to be still and rest in Him, which is reflected in the request for God to also fill us with “peace”. I also desire to combine this verse with 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” I want for us to know Jesus, and in growing in our knowledge of Him that He would be glorified in our lives.
The word the Lord gave me was charity (or love in many other bible versions). I did a search and found many verses that spoke to me in terms of praying them over our sons and us also. I feel that:*[[Rev 2:19]] KJV* I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Is the verse for us.
Lord, let our works, charity, service, faith, patience be known by you and let us be humble in doing these things for You, not man.
(Col 3:23 came to me as I was typing just now too
I just had to break the news to my boys that their dad broke our marriage covenant and that he is leaving. Our verse this year is Job 23:10 “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” I know God is with us, going before us and gathering is in from behind. HE knows.
The verse that the Lord gave me for this year is Philippines 4:7 which focuses on the Peace of God. I find that I worry a lot about my family, life and especially my Son. Gang activity in the school system here is very high and the school is not very good. I pray for Peace over all my worries because my Son is a very good boy who knows right from wrong.
As a woman of God who is hoping to raise a Godly man, I encourage you to prayerfully consider homeschooling. Look to Titus 2 for encouragement and a really good documentary called “Indoctrination: the decline of Christianity in America’s public schools”. I pray that you would be willing to make whatever sacrifices necessary for the good of your family and that you would have peace in those decisions. God bless!
My word is ‘restore’. Psalms 51:12 describes it best..”Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit”. This verse is bringing me so much peace right now. I will pray this over my boy and myself daily!
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the encouragement. Happy New Year!
I have a 20 year old son who needs to accept his disability and make peace with it before he can move forward. I also have a high school senior who is not teachable at this time. Both are questioning their paths and have life changing decisions to make soon. Peace, hope, trust, and joy are what my boys, and our family need this year. I am adopting “Brooke’s verse” as my own. Romans 15.13.
I have two boys aged almost 5 and almost 4 who have been adopted. Our older boy is hypervigilant because he was neglected, and was left alone and abandoned. He asks if we are coming back any time we go somewhere, and will test if we love him. The word I have is love. The verse I have is 1John 4:18, I have heard the phrase “Perfect love casts out all fear” all day today. This is so my sons receive love from us.
I also have for myself 1Cor13 to pray for myself because he/they is/are anxious for love but will purposely act up to see if we mean we love him/them. I know I have to be very intentional to live 1Cor13.
Thank you so much!
I love the idea of praying a specific God given verse over my boys daily. One thing I struggle with as a mother to them, is my worry for them. Fear of serious illness or injury. Fear they will be taken from me too soon. (In my profession I see tragedy in this respect and it terrifies me). This week God gave me Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you” declares The Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” Thank you, Lord, for giving my boys a future in You….
Oh that my (5) boys would know hope. And that God’s love would overflow me and fill them.
The previous year was a very trying one for us as a family and individually. We are planning on returning to church and seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord after a season of struggling. We also want to raise our two boys better. This year we will focus prayer on Jeremiah 29:11 and Deuteronomy 6: 4-9.
Thank you for everything. I thank the Lord also for you and the encouragement you share on this journey of raising boys! God bless you! And Happy New Year!
My oldest boy (newly 5) struggles with fear – of situations, of attention, of not being able to do something right. My verse that God pointed out to me during last Sunday’s service is Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I have a 5th grade son that I will be homeschooling next year b/c the school system (that I happen to work at) has failed him and a 13 year old daughter that seems to be easily influenced by this world, so my verse is:John 17:15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
Yesterday I printed out Jeremiah 31:3 and taped it near my desk where I will see it every morning. “Yea, I have love you with an everlasting love…” My prayer is that the knowledge of God’s love for me will seep down into my soul and then spill over into the lives of my sons and husband. I really struggle with believing and trusting in the Lord’s unconditional love for me and showing it to my family.
Self-control has been placed on my heart for myself and for my boys. So I will be praying 2 Peter 1:5-7 over them and for myself this year. It just so happens that this verse also touches on goodness, godliness, perseverance, brotherly love and kindness:)
The word the Lord placed on my heart was transform. Both our boys have changes ahead this year. Our eldest turned 18 two weeks ago and so legally became a man. Our youngest will finish secondary education and move to college (high school in the US). Both boys will have big exams, so transform feels right for this year. The Bible verse I’ve chosen is 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Thank you for your support and prayers
I want to claim Romans 12:18 & :21 centering around peace this year. They say: ” If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone…do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.”Weariness tells me to complain and argue about all the small stuff. Peace tells me it’s ok, God’s plan is enough. I want to change the tide in my home and make it a peace filled home.Lord, let it begin with me.
Hoping that my sophomore in college will find the path God has for his life. Floundering a little bit right now and needs to mature some and become more focused. The verse I have chosen is: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Have been praying since he left for college a year and a half ago that he would find God’s path for his life!
How do we make our own? I’d like to change the wording a bit.
I am trying to ” Be still, and know that [He is] God”I want to fully understand and apply biblical stillness. When my marriage is shaky. When I’m comparing my self to other first time mom’s. When I’m worried my son’s development is behind other children his age. I want that peace that passes all understanding.
Romans 15:13 was my verse for ’14 and I think I will continue with it and perhaps add “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18. I pray that my attitude in my home will be grounded in wisdom and that I will exhibit these fruits to reap a harvest in my children of love and service to the LORD.
Proverbs 16:32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. This will make my son and I control ourselves, instead of fighting for everything. I need it and he needs it too, I have learnt that we are really similar, so I need God to help me set the example and help my son on this.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (AMP)
Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes]. The Lord [be] with you all.
My 19 heads to the military this year… He isn’t in college right now due to his going to boot camp in March. Has a new job. I’m not sure if hope is the right verse maybe Jerimiah 29:11. I’m hoping to find the right verse. Cause I surely need to pray while he leaves for the military.
Hi friends and fellow warriors,I strongly believe in the power of praying God’s word over our boys and that’s why I love the Boy Raiser prayer calender. But have I missed January’s or has it not been published yet? I can’t seem to find it in my email. Help please 🙂
[…] really hard because the idea just didn’t feel right for me. Then I read Brooke McGothlin’s post about choosing a verse to pray throughout 2015. As I carefully read through her instructions, a […]
1Ti 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.With our son having his first girlfriend and in this world full of pressure – he is 16 and she just 15.
Such a great idea – I’ll be sure to print it out and post on his door.
claim jumper
Choosing a Verse to Pray for 2015 (and a FREE wallpaper) – The MOB Society
I have two boys (11 and 15)
Please pray this verse for us… Romans 15:13
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Thank you.
[…] normally pick a word of the year. I’ve always felt the Lord calling me to a specific prayer for the year instead, but if there was one word that has thus far themed my 2015, it’s […]
I Corinthians 13: 13 Now these three remain: Faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is Love, I seem to feel the need for this verse as faith, hope and love is truly what myself and my sons needs in our day to day lives, we have been going through allot of pain at home and sometimes i feel that there is no light but all i need is to have those three and so does my sons. Things will get better at home and we just need to have faith, hope and love to get us by.
Over the past year our family has gone through a number of difficulties and I am probably struggling the most but I am taking it out on my boys and it’s affecting our relationship. I have 3 boys 3 and under and I am praying your verse for all of us. That we would have peace and joy and trust in the Lord. Thank You.