A prayer for mothers

On Mother's Day, Hannah Churcher prayed a wonderful prayer over mothers. Take the time to read through this heartfelt prayer again and echo it in your hearts.

Heavenly Father, we come today in worship and gratitude. We thank you that You are the Creator and sustainer of all things, and that it’s from You that all good gifts are given. We thank You that as we think about mothers today, we know that all that we see in the best of mothers is a small reflection of You. That You are the God of compassion, of self-sacrifice, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, who hears our cries, tends to our deepest needs, and delights over us.

Father, we know that in a world fractured by the fall, today is a day that brings mixed emotions to many people. We pray for those for whom today is a painful reminder of what is lost.

We pray for the pain of those who are grieving a mother who is gone or a mother relationship they never had. Would they know Your unending love for them.

We pray for those who are longing for a child, and today is another reminder of desperate longings yet unmet. We pray that You would meet them tenderly in their waiting.

We pray for those who feel the immense loss of a child who is no longer with them. Lord, we pray that You would be especially close to the brokenhearted. Would they know You as the One who comes near, Who will redeem all that is lost, Who will restore the years of grief, and Who walks with them towards that day where tears will be dried, and joy will be everlasting.

Lord, we pray for all those that are mothering today. Whether they are mothering children in their homes, or are mothering those You have placed in their paths, Lord would You bless the labours of their hands and hearts.

Lord as they pour themselves out physically and emotionally, would they know Your sustaining grace. That You are the One who poured Yourself out for them, and that they do not labour in vain, or alone.

We pray that as they seek to do their best to mother well in a world that offers many voices, that the voice they would hold onto would be Your Word of life. That they would find comfort in Your truth, endurance in Your promises, and joy in Your blessings.

We pray for mothers in a season of struggle, of loneliness and anxiety and relentless self giving. Would You minister to them. Just as You saw Hagar mothering alone in the wilderness, would they know that You see them, and would You be their source who supplies their daily needs for energy, for hope, and for choosing love, even when it’s hard, day after day.

Lord, we pray for mothers whatever their stage of life. Whether they are in the busyness of a young family, or are mothering from afar, would they be leaning on You, trusting Your loving heart and Your never-ending goodness for them and for their children, and would You sustain them with peace and the reminder that You are the One who knit these children together, and Your promises for them and for those who mother will not fail.

And Lord we pray that You would bring joy and fruit to the work of the hands of the mothers here. Lord, would they would know that Your heart is for the least, and that as they seek daily to love and care, they are giving a glimpse of You. We pray that You would give them Your eyes to see their children as You do, and Your wisdom to know how to care well for the individual souls they nurture. Would they point their children to You, would they know blessing and reward, and would they be encouraged by the love of the church family. Would we as a church care well for mothers, and in so doing, would we shine together as Your lights in the world. Lord, thank You that You hear our prayers.