A Prayer to Help Us Celebrate Mothers - Your Daily Prayer - May 11

Your Daily Prayer

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By Lynette Kittle, Crosswalk.com

A Prayer to Help Us Celebrate Mothers
By Lynette Kittle

Bible Reading:
“May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!” - Proverbs 23:25

Read or Listen Below:

Motherhood isn’t easy or, for the faint of heart, a challenging calling for many, and often comes for some with little recognition and honor. Some individuals have grown up with wonderful mothers, although not perfect, women who tried their hardest to mother their children as best as possible with what they had to offer and from their abilities. Sadly, for others, their mothers greatly failed them for various reasons: some because of personal issues, others who didn’t have the support, resources, know-how, or opportunities to mother them, and others who were absentee moms altogether, struggling with complex issues in their own lives. It’s easy for people to be bitter towards their mothers for countless reasons, especially for those who feel they didn’t have a mother who loved and cared for them and even for some who had devoted mothers but found fault with them. Adult children who, despite their mother’s noble attempts, discount their efforts, believing it wasn’t good enough, are unappreciative of the sacrifices made for them and resentful of their lives growing up.

Mothers Are People, Too
The truth is that mothers are people, too, women who come into motherhood as novices, learning along the way, many starting out feeling ill-equipped for the demands of 24/7 motherhood duty. Many women enter motherhood unaware of unaddressed issues in their lives, with their own weaknesses. They are unprepared for what lies ahead and find it difficult to sort out during motherhood’s on-the-job training type of position, where learning things the hard way happens. Often, new mothers start out doing the same things their mothers did for them growing up. So they do the best they can with what they know and have on hand, with many struggling. They want the best for their babies but are unsure how they are affecting their children’s lives in the long run. Sadly, some mothers feel like failures long before their children grow up and point out their parenting deficiencies.

Imperfection Doesn’t Negate God-given Honor
Even though mothers aren’t perfect, God has placed them in a position of honor, whether some mothers act honorably or not. God created this esteemed position to be respected by all, young and old. Likewise, God hasn’t given anyone His permission, especially adult children, to dishonor their mothers, whether they feel she deserves it or not. In actuality, it is a grave sin to dishonor one’s mother, and it comes with serious consequences.

Under Old Testament law, as Exodus 21:17 explains, dishonoring one’s mother was severely dealt with: “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.”

As Ephesians 6:2-3 urges, “Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

How we treat and speak about our mothers affects our lives in the long run, even determining the length of our lives and the depth of joy we will experience. Whether we love our mothers or not, God calls us to forgive them and recognize that they carried us within their bodies and gave birth to us, giving us life. Carrying children and giving them life is a sacred calling from God.

1 Timothy 2:15 explains, “But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety.”

God values mothers’ sacrificial contribution to life by bearing children. It’s important and valued by Him, and He calls us to honor, respect, and even celebrate motherhood.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father, Thank you for my mother, for carrying me in her womb and giving birth to me. Help me honor her in my thoughts, words, and deeds by recognizing that You gave me life through her. Forgive me for how I have disrespected or dishonored her over the years, and soften my heart to love, honor, respect, and even celebrate her today and every day. Because You have forgiven me, Lord, I forgive my mother for her weaknesses, imperfections, and failures as my mother. Encourage and uplift my mother today, letting her know her priceless value to You. Lead me from this day forward to be a blessing to her and bring her joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.

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