Dear moms, you can’t do it.
May 20th, 2011 by Kristi Stephens
This week has been all about the words we use in our parenting. And you know what?
- Motherhood is ridiculously hard – it is tremendously sanctifying.
- In moments of exasperation we can use the sword of our words and leave wounds that will seep for years.
- It pulls out our pride and insecurities, it is easier to gloss over our children’s faults than to say hard things in love.
- We are constantly teaching our children, whether intentional or not- and our job is enormous!
Moms, are you feeling overwhelmed? Are you feeling unable to do it?
You can’t do this on your own! Remember – our words start in our hearts, and God is the only one who can change us from the inside out. God is also the only one who can change our children from inside out.
That’s why I’m thrilled to tell you about a phenomenal resource available from my friend Brooke – Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas they Need it Most.
This little ebook is a delight to read. Full of Scripture, full of truth, full of practical encouragement to overwhelmed women in the grueling trenches of motherhood. Brooke hits the nail on the head: we can’t do this! The job is too big!
In Brooke’s words:
I don’t pray because I can. I pray because I can’t.
Prayer is the coming to the end of myself, the letting go, and placing my hope in the God who can. It’s putting none of my hope in what I can do, and all of my hope in what He has already done. It’s taking comfort in a God who loved deeply enough to save me and resting in the knowledge that He can do the same for my sons. It’s choosing to believe the truth of His Word–praying for its completion in the hearts of my sons–washing it over my tired heart and keeping my eyes on the One who straightens my path. It is enough for me and enough for my sons.
Wearing a posture of prayer as lifeline, hope, desperate plea to the God Who can.
Brooke walks the reader through crucial aspects of a boy’s heart and life, giving Biblical background and personal insights into the areas where our boys are especially vulnerable and in need of God’s clear hand in their lives. She gives beautiful lists of Scripture, inviting us to insert the names of our sons and pray the powerful Word of God over their hearts and lives.
If you are a mother of boys, a grandmother of boys, a mother of girls who wants to pray seriously and intentionally for the men who will someday become your sons… this book will be a tremendous gift in your prayer life. {Download for your kindle here, or purchase in ebook form here!}
And here’s some really good news – Brooke is providing a free copy of this valuable resource to TWO KristiStephens.com readers! Interested in winning a copy for yourself or a boy-mom you know who would love some encouragement? Just leave a comment below and let us know why you are interested in a copy of this ebook, what has been encouraging to you this week in One Small Spark, anything that’s on your mind! {Reading via email? Click here to come to the blog and leave a comment below the post!}
This giveaway will close at 10pm EST on Sunday, May 22nd. Winners will be chosen from numbered comments using random.org.
- 18 Comments »
- Posted in Giveaways, One Small Spark
May 20th, 2011 at 7:59 am
I am pregnant with my second child – a boy! – with a little girl already at home. I feel so blessed to have this Little Man on the way, but I’m also very nervous about training up a little boy, especially when my only experience is with little girls. I would love a copy of this book! Thanks so much for the great giveaway!
May 20th, 2011 at 8:36 am
I have a son with with multiple health issues and ADHD. We found out also this year that he is extremely gifted. We are praying for an answer about homeschooling. This would be a great book for us.
Thanks for the opportunity!
May 20th, 2011 at 8:42 am
Homeschooling two boys always keeps me searching for the right words. Would love to have a copy of this book to pray over my boys. Thanks for the great offer!!
May 20th, 2011 at 9:33 am
I have four-year-old boy who hasn’t had the best relationship with his daddy, my husband, and it seems like the are constantly bickering at each other. I’m the only parent in the house who goes to church and knows how prayer can change things…yet I don’t really know how to pray for my son because even though I want him to have a better relationship with his dad, it won’t happen until I know how the problem can be fixed. This blog has opened my eyes to my faults as a parent and has helped me to see what I can change. I would love to have that book so that I can pray the right way for my son and help him to mature into the Godly man that I know he will be.
May 20th, 2011 at 9:40 am
As the mother of two young sons, I understand the enormous responsibility my husband and I have of raising strong Christian men. I think this book can help us pray for our sons more effectively and show us how to encourage each of them to become the men God intends them to be! Thanks for the chance of winning! As an aside, Kristi’s series this week has been both encouraging and convicting–both elements necessary to make a positive parenting change! Thanks, Kristi!
May 20th, 2011 at 11:20 am
Because I can use ALL the help and GODLY WISDOM I can get! :)
May 20th, 2011 at 11:49 am
Good Morning Kristi, This is just the book for my grandsons.. I have 2 grandson that I have been whispering the word of God in their ear since my daughter found out she was pregnant.. This is just the ideal book for the to give them.. I want the boys to learn at the earliest of age about Christ.. I only had wish I was instilled with the Word @ a early age.. I have raised 1 strong(the mother of the boys)woman of God my daughter is 27, and my 7 year old is very much into her Sunday school classes.. By the way did I mention the boys are 2 and 1 years old. So hopefully God will permit me to receive the book.. Thanks Kristi. Have a awesome weekend..
May 20th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
This would be a blessing to me–I have a 13 year old son who, while striving to become independent, is too easily influenced by others. Our interactions are a daily push-pull of this striving to mature/longing to comply/yet unable to accept authority mixture of a man-child in a single-mom household.
May 20th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
I have four boys that I am trying to home school and raise up for the Lord. It is a lot of work. Some days I feel so overwhelmed!!! Any help I can get would be much appreciated.
May 20th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
I have an 8 yr. old son. I feel like he’s growing up so fast! I would love a copy of this book!!
May 20th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
I have a four year old son who I desperately want to model a Godly life with. I fail so often throughout the day, and I would love to learn how to pray for my child.
May 20th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
After being a momma of two boys, who are now grown young men, I understand the need for mom’s to be on their knees more than on their feet! Now we have two young grandsons who we see often. I’d love to have some insight to share with their momma’s and to have an understanding of these precious boys’ hearts. Blessings on you for sharing this book with us.
May 20th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
I would love a copy for my son and I. I have seen this online, but have not purchased yet. Hope to win a copy.
May 21st, 2011 at 11:57 pm
would love to have a copy to share with my daughter in her quest to raise Godly children
May 22nd, 2011 at 2:51 am
Hi Kristi,
i can’t do mothering by myself. this thought, although a glaring reality, just dawned on me while journaling late night last night. and to read an almost the same statement on your blog tonight is amazing. i am a new mom, well, a first time mom to be exact, to a very energetic 2.5 year old boy. one of the reasons i found your blog was from a deep desire to seek more of God as i struggle with my role as a stay-at-home mom. i’ve found motherhood to be increasingly hard and overwhelming (and i only have one!) as weeks and months go by. i’ve been focused on my motherhood blues thati feel like i’m not doing my role as a godly mom to my son like praying for him and teaching him more about God. there are times when i feel like i am shortchanging him. The book looks like a great tool to effectively minister to my beloved son.
May 22nd, 2011 at 3:32 pm
My daughter is 4 my son is 3. I find it easier to touch my daughter’s heart because I can relate to her emotions, interests, thoughts and desires. My son is all-boy and at times I’m at a loss about how to relate to him. I see how desperately I need God! This experience of parenting is so much about my sanctification and in my children’s challenging behaviors, I see my own challenging behavior to God. Yet, He is good and He is faithful and I cannot be a the mom my children need without Him! This book would be helpful too! :-)
May 22nd, 2011 at 6:08 pm
I have 2 girls and 1 boy and I tell you they are nothing alike. I could use all the help I can get on raising a godly son and to be a godly man.
May 22nd, 2011 at 8:55 pm
My two sons and I have been blessed through the power of scripture driven prayer. Recently a few first time moms have just had baby boys, and I have wanted to compile some verses that I thought would be beneficial to them. Your book would be a great gift for them as their baby boys grow.