Talk, Ask, Listen, Believe

Sometimes when i'm reading her book "Praying for Boys" I feel like she is speaking DIRECTLY TO ME!  I also feel connected with her and like I yearn for her wisdom because she is also a mother of two boys (no daughters) who are about the same age apart as my boys.  Her sons are five years older than mine, and 23 months apart (mine are 20 months apart).  

I also love her because she says this in her book:

"Young boys are a whole different breed.  Mothers of girls often glare at me as if to say, 'Do they act that way all the time?'  I want to glare right back and say, 'Yes! They do!' "

Ever since having kids, or more accurately, ever since have a 2nd boy... :),  I've learned what it really means to feel out of control.  Those who know me well know that I like to have things done in a certain way and that I like to have things planned out pretty well in advance.  Now, being known as a perfectionist and/or a control freak isn't quite the way I'd like to be known... but i've come to terms with the fact that whatever it is inside me that makes me that way was put there by God, so the only way I can therefore "help myself" in these specific areas is to PRAY to Him who made me this way.  And this IS the way I was made... purposefully... imperfections and all... in His eyes I am wonderful.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."  

Psalm 139: 13-14

I've leaned so much into prayer this past year, more than ever before, and let me tell you, I can feel it... I have specific examples of prayers that have been answered in my life recently, and it feels soooooo good to know that I am not alone in my journey!!!!!!!!!!!  Speaking of not being alone, I can't say enough how thankful I am to have been paired with my husband Erik... his patience, his kindness, his love, his forgiveness.. OH his forgiveness!!!  Where would I be without him?  I don't even want to think about it!

"This season of difficulty has kept me diving headfirst to the cross." -Brooke McGlothlin

Ok back to the topic of prayer, the entire basis of Brooke McGlothlin's book "Praying for Boys".  Here are some awesome words from her book, the very words that inspired me to do the "21 Month Challenge". 

"This book was written with three main purposes in mind: to encourage parents to pray for their sons, to teach them how to do it, and to inspire them to keep doing it on a regular basis by explaining why it's a vital part of raising godly men.  God's Word is true and powerful and a perfect guide for parents who long to battle for the hearts of their sons in prayer."

"Explanations of prayer are often over-spiritualized and over-intellectualized, in my opinion.  I believe there is an entire element of prayer that works best in an informal chat-like-a-friend kind of way.  Jesus stepped down from heaven-a place of peace and perfection- into our messy, sin-filled world because He wanted to be 'God with us'.  With us. Not above us.  Not up in the clouds somewhere looking down on us.  With us.  Friend, no one knows you better than the God who sent His Son to die for you.  Close your eyes and imagine Him sitting right beside you, just like an old friend... because He is!  That's a pretty compelling case for feeling comfortable enough with someone to just chat."

"Prayer is really so much simpler than we make it.  There are four very small words that sum up what I believe prayer really is: talking, asking, listening, and believing."

Ok so I start my 21 months of praying for Bennett and Sawyer tomorrow!  

Well, i've been praying for them for a long time already, but now each month will have a distinct and intentional topic, all the way through January 2016!!!

Woo Hoo, here we go! Are you with me?!!

"Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live."

Psalm 116:2

Does anyone have an example of a prayer that has been answered in your life?