A Prayer for Mother's Day

   

On Mother’s Day 2010 we are so grateful for our mothers and those who have been like mothers to us.  Yet we recognize that there are many mothers today who are unable to be with the children they love for a host of reasons.  Motherhood is full of joy and of heartbreak.  Please join in this prayer for mothers whose hearts are breaking today.

Eternal and Loving God, your word tell us that you are like a mother hen, gathering her chicks under the protection of her wing.  God, you understand mothers.  You understand that motherhood is full of joy, challenge and heartbreak.  Hear our prayer for mothers who are heart-broken by the demands of mothering and for those who are unable to be with their children this day.  

                                                             

We pray for all mothers who are not with their children today because their children are incarcerated. Lord, grant these mothers your peace and mercy.

We pray for mothers who cannot be with their children today because their children are addicted to drugs or alcohol and are no longer welcome at home, or those whose children are in treatment for their addictions.  Lord, grant these mothers your peace and the strength to stand firm for the sake of their children.

We pray for mothers who cannot be with their children today because the children have been removed from the home and placed in foster care or because mother is in prison or because mother has abandoned the child.  Lord, grant these mothers your peace and mercy.

We pray for mothers whose children hold a grudge today; who cannot forgive their mothers for being human, for failing them, for disappointing them.  Lord, grant these mothers your peace and mercy.  Move these women and their children to a new place of understanding, forgiveness and a new beginning.

We pray for mothers whose sons and daughters are in far away lands serving in our military; those who have placed themselves in harms way so we might be safer and free.  Lord, grant these mothers your peace and help us always to honor their sacrifice.

We pray for mothers whose children are in far away lands serving as missionaries and emergency relief workers.  Lord, grant these mothers your peace and crown them with honor for having raised such self-less and compassionate children.

We pray for mothers who have experienced the worse heartbreak a mother can know-the death of her child.  Lord, grant these mothers your peace.  Comfort them as they experience the searing pain of physical separation from one who has literally been a part of their own lifeblood and body.  Grant them the hope of eternal life and the promise of being united again with their precious sons and daughters.

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning"
Psalm 30:5  (KJV)

Lord, we pray for mothers everywhere who rock crying babies; kiss away owies; hug away our tears; protect and defend us; correct and punish us; love us enough to say “yes” and love us enough to say “no”; who love and keep us always in their hearts regardless of the years, the miles or the tears that may have driven us apart.  Lord, bless our mothers – everywhere – we pray.  Amen.