“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

I heard the front door slam, and my heart dropped.

Feeling beyond helpless, I could see our oldest son walking out into the wide acres of open land just beyond our property.

We don’t slam doors in our home, so this action was a big deal. Clearly, he was very upset about something, and I didn’t even know about what, much less what to do about it. When he was little, I could let him cry it out or have him stay in his room until he “got happy.” Or maybe simply hold him until he felt better.

But now? He was 17 years old, and those ideas were no longer options. I desperately wanted to rescue him — stop him somehow — but I also realized I needed to give him space.

Helpless.

Was there anything I could do other than run to my room, kneel down and pray?

And when I say “pray,” I don’t mean a basic “bless my son” prayer, but a crying-out, “Oh, Lord, please help him” prayer. With tears in my eyes and anguish in my chest. Trusting Him to touch my son in the places I couldn’t reach if I tried.

That kind of prayer.

I don’t think I really understood “wrestling in prayer” until I had a son. Not that this boy gave us too much trouble, but like so many young people in our world today, he faced intense disappointments, hurts, challenges and temptations.

It is no small thing to be a young man in this day we live in.

Many times, his dad and I lay awake at night, calling out to God on his behalf. We prayed for protection, strength and courage for him. And we still do, as Philippians 4:6 urges us: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Maybe the boy in your life is only a little guy. Even so, I hope you’ll start praying for him today.

Then as he grows older, don’t be surprised that he will need your prayers more than ever.

But I also hope you won’t consider prayer as a last-ditch effort in your parenting. You won’t want to wait until a child slams the front door to begin praying for them.

Yes, make prayer your first impulse, not your last, when it comes to loving your son. And remind yourself that, thankfully, it’s not all up to you to keep his heart safe and his body sound. He has a heavenly Father who knows and loves him more than you ever could. You don’t need to be anxious — just prayerful.

So why not go to God and talk to Him about that boy you love? Pour out your concerns, your hopes and your desires for him.

Our oldest son is now in his mid-20s. He is walking tall and waiting for his wife. And he would tell you quite openly how thankful he is to have had a praying mother. He’d say that it’s made a definite difference in his life. I am grateful.

My friend, you can trust God with your son. Lovingly lift him up in prayer, starting today.

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to lift my son up to You. I pray You will protect him and strengthen him. Please give me wisdom, guidance and grace as I raise my child to know and love You. Help me to trust You with his heart and life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Colossians 4:12, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” (ESV)

RELATED RESOURCES

Are you a parent looking for help in expressing love and connecting with your son in meaningful, concrete ways? Or know someone who is? Lisa Jacobson’s new book, 100 Ways to Love Your Son (and the companion, 100 Ways to Love Your Daughter), offers simple, proven and practical ways to build a close and lasting relationship with your child.

CONNECT

Interact with Lisa at Club31Women and on Instagram for more biblical encouragement! Lisa and her husband, Matt, also cohost FAITHFUL LIFE, a popular weekly podcast focusing on what it means to be a biblical Christian in marriage, parenting, church and culture.

Enter to WIN your very own copy of 100 Ways to Love Your Son by Lisa Jacobson. To celebrate this book, Lisa’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, June 1, 2020.}

REFLECT AND RESPOND

Do you make it a daily habit to pray? For your son? What are some specific requests you could mention (such as protection, strength, safety, purity, etc.) as you lift him up each day? Join the conversation in the comments!

© 2020 by Lisa Jacobson. All rights reserved.

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