21 Days of Prayer for Sons--Obedience

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. This prayer challenge officially starts today. We are assigned to read pp.13-14 in the ebook. The topic for today is The Importance of Obedience. I prayed the Scriptures on obedience and submission to authority on pp.15-16 for my sons.

Study Questions

1. Describe the first time your son(s) deliberately disobeyed you. Did you recognize it immediately? How did it make you feel?

I honestly don't remember the first time my sons deliberately disobeyed me. I'm sure I recognized it immediately :). I probably felt sad and upset. I've heard before that even if your children did what you told them to do but chose to do it later (not when you indicated) or do it a different way than you told them to (thinking they knew better = pride) or do it grudgingly (wrong attitude), then they still have not obeyed you. The details of obedience matter :).

2. Do you have a plan for teaching your son(s) obedience? Or are you more of a “fly by the seat of your pants” kind of parent?

Plan? My sons know that I expect obedience and that their disobedience will have unpleasant consequences. Since they were little, we taught them to obey immediately and cheerfully. One of the first verses they memorized was Ephesians 6:1, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." One of the first songs they sang when they were young was "O-B-E-Y" by Donut Man :).

3. Have you ever considered how teaching obedience leads naturally to a deeper understanding of the Gospel?

Yes.

4. In the book, Brooke talks about hearing a speaker say these words: “Ladies, if your man cannot submit to Jesus, he cannot lead you. A man must be willing to be led before he can truly lead.” How does this change your understanding of the importance of teaching your son(s) obedience?

It doesn't change my understanding because I already believed that way :). Read here for my ideas of a Godly man.

5. Are there any discipline practices you've been using that need to be tweaked in order to better reflect the Gospel message?

I don't know but I'm praying that the Lord will show me any areas I need to change.

Lord, please help my sons be obedient to You in every way and in every situation and help them to obey Mom and Dad and all the authority you place over them. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen!

(This picture was taken in July, 2005)