Book Review: Praying for Boys {Bethany House}

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Praying for Boys: Asking God for the things they need most by Brooke McGlothlin*

ISBN: 9780764211430

Paperback, 192 pages

Publisher: Bethany House

Retail: $12.99

About the book: 

What Are Your Biggest Concerns for Your Son?

Instead of trying harder to change your boy's behavior or worrying about his future, enjoy the peace that comes when you pray specific prayers for him straight from the Bible. This encouraging book helps you target your prayers on what your son needs most--from patience and self-control to having a pure heart and making wise decisions.

Today you can start giving whatever concerns you have to God and

- learn to fight for your son's heart in prayer

- look at raising boys as a gift

- see how even quick prayers make a difference

- understand boys' deepest struggles, no matter their age

- rest in knowing that God is the only One who can change your son's heart

Written for moms but great for dads (and grandparents) too, this easy-to-use book is filled with uplifting stories and biblical wisdom that will equip you on your journey to raising a godly man.

Includes a 21-Day Prayer Guide for Small Groups, in Person or Online!

About the author:

Brooke McGlothlin has encouraged thousands of moms toward a richer prayer life as co-founder of the popular online community for mothers of boys, the MOB Society (www.themobsociety.com). She's the author of several books and resources for moms, and lives in the mountains of southwest Virginia with her husband, their two sons, and two Labs.

My thoughts:

This book has a lot of good verses for praying over boys. There are quite a few "pray over children" memes that include specific verses. available of course. I chose this book to review though because I sometimes am not sure what I should be praying for. Thankfully the Spirit knows what I mean to pray even when I cannot say it. Still, this book has helped me "visualize" what I need to pray for when it comes to my son. I really had not thought to pray for some of the things McGlothin brings up in the book, but I should have! 

The set up of the book is very easy to use. After an introduction to who Brooke McGlothlin is, and why she published this book, there are 21 areas of prayer. In all of these we can be examples to our boys but only God can change their hearts to do what is right. Here are the areas of prayer:

• Heart Change
• Obedience
• Overcoming Fears
• Integrity
• Wisdom
• Pride
• Honor
• Purity
• A Servant's Heart
• Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
• Anger 
• Forgiveness
• Salvation

For me personally, the prayer has been to change me so that it can be seen and somehow affect others. But I began to think that it's a bit like showing someone how to do something but never allowing them to do it. Or if they do not do it right, not making sure they know how to do it right. Perhaps those are not correct examples of what I was thinking. In any case, I see the need to pray for them as well as for myself. It's not all me, that's for sure! *I* cannot do it all. But God can.

Each area of prayer starts with some words by McGlothin that relates her own story; her boys and how the area is displayed. For instance, Pride:

Boys are just prone to pride, aren't they? Whether it's hanging on the basketball rim after a slam dunk, wanting to drive the fastest car or truck, or joyfully sinking their brother's battleship, pride seems to be deeply ingrained in the heart of boys.And it's not all bad.I actually like the idea of my boys taking pride in what they do. When they set their minds to something, I want them to finish well, do the best they can, and encourage those around them to do the same. I want them to win plenty of games, score plenty of goals, work hard for plenty of As, and earn plenty of promotions.But I also want them to lose some, miss some, and fail some. ...I don't really care anything about raising men who excel at everything. My goal isn't to raise professional baseball players, or even the next president of the United States. My prayer is for my sons to work hard, take pride in what the do, and know the value of not always finishing first. I want them to fail in some things so their pride in their own abilities will be realistic and they'll know their own personal limitations. (pp. 82, 84) 

This area has 9 verses for prayer.

Lord, make ______ turn from doing wrong and keep him from pride (Job 33:17). Lord, please break _______'s proud spirit (Leviticus 26:19)
Let not the foot of arrogance come upon _____, nor the hand of the wicked drive him away (Psalm 36:11). (p. 84)

Then there is a reflection or discussion section with questions. For this particular area, this one got me:

Learning about our own personal limitations can be humbling and a difficult pill to swallow, but it's still valuable information. List some of your son's weaknesses and then brainstorm ways you can encourage him in them. (p. 86)

At the end of the book is advice for leading a study using this book, in person or online. 

I think this is a good book to have for parents, grandparents, even aunts and uncles, of boys. The emphasis on Scripture is the best part. 

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Bethany House for the purpose of an honest review. No compensation was given. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.