Thinking Out Loud—A prayer for our mothers!

Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity to pay tribute to our mothers.  Thank you for those who endured the disfiguring of the body, morning sickness, months of discomfort, anxious moments and excruciating pain to bring us into the world.  We were oblivious to them!  We give You, O’ Lord, thanks for her endurance now.

Almighty God, You said, “In pain you will bring forth children”, and those words are not only obvious at birth, but also the ongoing emotional pain that every mother experiences.  Today we want to pause and thank You, and them, for the hurt they tolerated for us.

Thanks that our mothers climbed out of bed at 3 a.m. to feed us when we were hungry and held her nose to clean up after us when we were sick and changing our diapers.  We weren’t capable of saying thanks then, but we are now!  Thank you precious mother!

Thanks that our mothers sat on hard bleachers in the hot sun for hours to see us perform for a few seconds and then fought back the tears when we struck out.  Or distressed over arriving late for an assembly, play, recital or concert at school we were in, and got there at the end of the program.  Then as we traveled home she reassured us that we did great.  Forgive her, God, when she wasn’t totally truthful, but she knew what we needed to hear.  We were probably too young to say thanks then, but now we can say, “Thanks, Mom!”

It’s not pleasant to repeatedly correct improper behavior, tolerate insolence and stay up late worrying about teenager’s safety.  We resented her sometimes then, but now we can say, “Thank you mother for caring!”

Lord Jesus, it had to hurt when she worked for hours preparing a special meal, no one said anything positive when it was consumed in fifteen minutes and everyone went their selfish way while mom was left to clean up alone.  She must have felt so taken for granted then, but now say can say, “Thank you cherished mother for your sacrifices!”

Thanks for moms who taught us about the Bible.  We never ever dreamed that she could be tired and would have just as soon put us to bed with out reading about Moses in the wilderness again.  We thought she was in a rut then, but now we can say, “Thank you mother for your determination.”  

Lord, it’s got to be extremely painful to see a child, who was loved, and instructed about You, O’ Lord, leave home and forsake that teaching.  When a child goes to a far country, there’s a sense in which a sword pierces the mother’s soul.  We laughed at her pleading then, but now we say, “Thank you mother for your devotion.”

Help us to find some ways today to encourage her and to let her know that we finally notice and are appreciative.  For those whose mothers are no longer living, O’ Heavenly Father, would You communicate for us and reward them accordingly?  Thank You that You see what is done in secret and You have promised that one-day You will reward openly.

God, none of us has a perfect mom.  Instead of blaming them for all our troubles, help us to forgive and understand, as we want You to forgive and understand us.

We pray this in the strong but tender name of Jesus.