A Mother’s Day Prayer

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:13 (ESV)

This weekend, families everywhere join together in celebration of mothers and their importance in our lives. This day is especially poignant for us as it will be our second Mother’s Day without both our mothers.

Like all moms, ours weren’t perfect, but they both loved God, and they each loved us. They were from a different generation, doing the best the could while working through their own upbringings, marriages, life challenges, and growing as persons themselves.

We miss them, and our hearts are grateful for the wonderful qualities they modeled for us and as imperfect parents ourselves, we’re understanding and forgiving of their weaknesses. The more God transforms our hearts and minds, the more we appreciate our mothers’ roles in our lives. 

Even as adults, whenever we’re under the weather, there is little comfort that comes close to the comfort our mothers gave us as children. It seems God gives mothers an almost divine-like ability to comfort only they can offer their children. Over time, our love and compassion for our mothers has only grown deeper.

The Challenging Journey of Motherhood

Motherhood is an on-the-job training role, learning along the way how to mother as women grow themselves. Growing up with a wonderful mother certainly helps a new mother have a positive role model, but it can still be a pretty challenging road for many. It’s often an ongoing trial-error experience.

For those who didn’t experience a loving mothering experience, it can be even more difficult, one of lacking basic motherly know-how along with the desire to do better with their own children. Yet, as Paul teaches in Philippians 3:10, challenges in our lives (even motherhood) draw us closer to God by allowing us to share in Jesus’ sufferings and know the power of his resurrection.

Motherhood’s Refining Process

Even in the best of circumstances, motherhood is not for the faint of heart. It’s full of unknowns, dealing with children who have their own wills, challenges, and spiritual journeys to face.

As well, mothers face some of their own hidden fears and insecurities, as mothering has a way of bringing out the best, and the worst, at times, leading mothers to often deal with hidden attitudes and hurts in their own hearts.

Yet through it all, God is always by our side, helping us through the hardships to become stronger. Isaiah 43:2 promises “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

Motherhood Can Sometimes Be Disheartening

Evangelist John Wesley wrote, “I learnt more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians in England.”

Yet, motherhood can sometimes be quite discouraging, involving being blamed for everything and thanked for nothing. It definitely calls for patience in the life of a mother, waiting and hoping children will grow in a way that causes them to look back and see the care their mothers gave them. 

We read the importance of staying in faith through prayer during these disheartening times in Philippians 4:6-7: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Sadly, for some, it doesn’t come in their lifetime. But even so, knowing they did what God requires—to love and teach their children about Him—can bring its own satisfaction and peace. Although they may not see the result of their godly efforts on earth, God is at work through their efforts for the lives of their children. 

God’s Promise to Mothers

Proverbs 22:6 counsels us to “Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.” What we invest for God in the lives of our children stays with them for a lifetime.

So for moms with children who have become distant and turned from faith, trust that God is at work in their lives, even if you aren’t seeing it. He is faithful to His word, and what we invest in the lives of our children, has a way of returning! 

We read this reassuring promise from God in Isaiah 55:11 “So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.”

This is a prayer for mothers everywhere this Mother’s Day. We hope it brings meaning to you!

Heavenly Father,

Our hearts are grateful to You for the privilege you offer those who are mothers. Thank you for entrusting them to teach their children Your ways.

Help them, Lord, to look to You for encouragement when mothering is hard and their hearts are disheartened.

Lead them to turn to You, Father, rather than the attitudes and escapes of the world. Forgive them and all of us when we fail You and our children at times.

Strengthen us to live out our faith before them in ways that softens their hearts and draws them to You.

Lead us in praying for our children and to trust You to work in their lives, even when they seem far away from You and us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

May God continuously lead your path