I'm participating in the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons based on the ebook, Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most by Brooke McGlothlin. If you're interested, please leave a comment here including your Facebook URL. I can add you as a friend (I'm "Fruitbearer" on FB) and then add you to the group led by my online friend and sister in Christ, Haelie. The 21 Days of Prayer for Sons will officially start on June 8th. Haelie has eased us into it slowly. I will share here from time to time what I learn or experience from this prayer challenge and some pictures of my boys :).
Study Questions
1. Describe your current relationship with your son(s). Are they young? Teenagers? All grown up? Is your relationship with them what you want it to be?
We are all close although my sons spend more time playing sports and doing guy stuff with my husband than with me :) (which I'm very thankful for). My sons are 12 and 9 (will be 13 and 10 in October). I just want our relationship to be what God wants it to be because what I want may not be the best for them.
2. Think back to when you first realized you were having a boy (or boys!). What was your response? Were you happy? Excited? Sad? Overwhelmed? Do you think your initial response to the idea of having boys has affected your parenting of them over the years?
I was thrilled both times. The first time I found out about our first son, I cried because my husband and I had prayed for another child for 3 years and finally, God answered our prayers. I felt like Hannah in the Bible and we gave our son the middle name "Samuel". When we found out about our second son, we were surprised and excited. I don't really know how to answer the last question. I'm thankful for sons and daughter; they're precious blessings from the Lord.
3. Are your boys typical rough and tumble? Or are they a bit different than the stereotypical definition of boys? How has this affected your parenting over the years?
My boys are active and athletic. Each is unique, too. My 12 year old son is a special needs kid. He struggles with anxiety disorder and some OCD. My 9 year old son is a kind and loving gentleman (the definition of "Prince Charming"). My parenting is adjusted to each kid because one thing may work for one kid but not necessarily with the other kid.
4. Do your boys have good role models (father, uncles, other godly men)? If not, try to think of one man you could ask to be a stronger part of their lives. Write that man's name here and commit to praying that the Lord would put this need on his heart.
Yes, my husband/their dad is the best role model I could ever wish for (besides Jesus, of course :)).
5. How have you prayed for your son(s) in the past? Is the idea of praying the Word of God for
them new to you? If so, how do you think it will change the way you pray for your son(s)?
I pray daily for my children, especially more often for my 12 year old son. The idea of praying the Word of God for them is not new to me. Galatians 5:22-23a, Ephesians 3:16-19, Philippians 1:9-11, and Colossians 1:9-12 are some of my favorites for praying for my children. I also have a book called Praying God's Will for My Son by Lee Roberts which covers prayers for 46 topics/specific needs, taken directly from God's Word.
"As parents, you are responsible before God to give your son(s) loving and prayerful support in order to nurture him (them) on his (their) journey to adulthood. .....What should you pray for your son(s)? Scripture is clear that you should pray God's Word for him (them). At the same time, you must never forget that God is sovereign and that He is not obligated to a name-it-and-claim-it theology. God will always do what is best for your son(s). But at the same time, you will do well to understand that when you pray God's Word for your son(s), you are actually praying both the mind and the perfect will of God for him (them)." ~Lee Roberts (parentheses are mine)
(Josiah was in a homemade costume for "King Josiah" and Isaiah was in a homemade costume for "Prophet Isaiah".)
Study Questions
1. Describe your current relationship with your son(s). Are they young? Teenagers? All grown up? Is your relationship with them what you want it to be?
We are all close although my sons spend more time playing sports and doing guy stuff with my husband than with me :) (which I'm very thankful for). My sons are 12 and 9 (will be 13 and 10 in October). I just want our relationship to be what God wants it to be because what I want may not be the best for them.
2. Think back to when you first realized you were having a boy (or boys!). What was your response? Were you happy? Excited? Sad? Overwhelmed? Do you think your initial response to the idea of having boys has affected your parenting of them over the years?
I was thrilled both times. The first time I found out about our first son, I cried because my husband and I had prayed for another child for 3 years and finally, God answered our prayers. I felt like Hannah in the Bible and we gave our son the middle name "Samuel". When we found out about our second son, we were surprised and excited. I don't really know how to answer the last question. I'm thankful for sons and daughter; they're precious blessings from the Lord.
3. Are your boys typical rough and tumble? Or are they a bit different than the stereotypical definition of boys? How has this affected your parenting over the years?
My boys are active and athletic. Each is unique, too. My 12 year old son is a special needs kid. He struggles with anxiety disorder and some OCD. My 9 year old son is a kind and loving gentleman (the definition of "Prince Charming"). My parenting is adjusted to each kid because one thing may work for one kid but not necessarily with the other kid.
4. Do your boys have good role models (father, uncles, other godly men)? If not, try to think of one man you could ask to be a stronger part of their lives. Write that man's name here and commit to praying that the Lord would put this need on his heart.
Yes, my husband/their dad is the best role model I could ever wish for (besides Jesus, of course :)).
5. How have you prayed for your son(s) in the past? Is the idea of praying the Word of God for
them new to you? If so, how do you think it will change the way you pray for your son(s)?
I pray daily for my children, especially more often for my 12 year old son. The idea of praying the Word of God for them is not new to me. Galatians 5:22-23a, Ephesians 3:16-19, Philippians 1:9-11, and Colossians 1:9-12 are some of my favorites for praying for my children. I also have a book called Praying God's Will for My Son by Lee Roberts which covers prayers for 46 topics/specific needs, taken directly from God's Word.
"As parents, you are responsible before God to give your son(s) loving and prayerful support in order to nurture him (them) on his (their) journey to adulthood. .....What should you pray for your son(s)? Scripture is clear that you should pray God's Word for him (them). At the same time, you must never forget that God is sovereign and that He is not obligated to a name-it-and-claim-it theology. God will always do what is best for your son(s). But at the same time, you will do well to understand that when you pray God's Word for your son(s), you are actually praying both the mind and the perfect will of God for him (them)." ~Lee Roberts (parentheses are mine)
LOVE it! Especially the pic. :o)
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