2 Prayers to Navigate Post-Mother’s Day Highs and Lows
Mother’s Day. The lead-up to it and the processing of it afterwards can leave many feeling as if they are mentally and/or emotionally trying to recover. What is supposed to be one of the happiest holidays is often encountered with mixed emotions and thoughts that leave us looking to The One, the author and finisher of our faith.
For some women, the week before Mother’s Day triggers anticipatory joy, while for others, it triggers anxiety. This past weekend, God reminded me of how important it is to be sensitive to the fact that this holiday is not necessarily a happy one for all women. Standing before my local church to pray over the congregation on Mother’s Day, I was again reminded of this truth.
Now, the week after Mother’s Day, I am keenly aware of the need to turn to God in prayer as an act of intercession for others, and for myself as I reflect upon the weekend's events, reconciling my sentiments about Mother’s Day. This year hit differently for me. Due to unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances beyond everyone’s control, I did not share this Mother’s Day with my mother or daughter. Although I still had an overall pleasant day, I can acknowledge that it differed from what I had expected.
Many women struggle with so many different dynamics regarding how they will celebrate Mother’s Day. For some, it is another marker indicating their mother's absence from the earth. For others, it is a painful reminder that even though their mother is alive, there is an estranged relationship that impacts their ability to communicate or connect in a way that would foster celebration for what should be a special day of honoring.
Maybe you can relate as a mother who has faced the unimaginable reality of dealing with the death of a child, after a life lived here on earth, due to a miscarriage, or a regrettable decision of abortion. Perhaps you are experiencing strain in your relationships with your children, and Mother’s Day reminded you how much you desire things to be different. Or maybe you wear the hat of a stepmom/bonus mom and are trying to figure out how to parent within the context of a blended family successfully. Oh, and let’s not forget about the surrogate mothers, stand-in moms, mother-like figures, and women with the heart of a mother who have no biological children of their own.
Wherever you may find yourself today, be assured that God affirms you through His love for you. You are already enough, and God could not love you more than He does now. We are each extended God’s amazing grace that allows us to receive His love, even in our lowest or weakest moments of life. If you are overwhelmed because of your Mother’s Day experience, the good news is you can always turn–no, run-to Jesus! The Psalmist reminds us in Psalms 61:2 (NIV), “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” God is ever near and ever present with us through it all.
We know that grief can take on many different looks, not just the physical absence of a mother. Permitting ourselves to grieve is human and necessary. God wants us to be aware of and embrace the fact that He sits with us amid our grief. We do not have to pretend, deny, or suppress any of our feelings about Mother’s Day. Instead, we can be honest with ourselves and God because his grace is sufficient to receive His joy in the midst of any sorrow. We can take solace in Paul’s words from 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV), “…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…” What encouragement to those of us who may not be able to characterize ourselves as “strong” in our attempts to navigate the matters of our heart.
Can I pray with you? By the leading of the precious Holy Spirit, I have composed two prayers to remind you of God’s comfort available to you in every circumstance. If these topic-specific prayers resonate with you, I hope God meets you through them right where you are. I hope that the Spirit of the Lord provides peace to your soul through these tailored prayers just for moms.
A Prayer for the Mother Dealing with Unmet Expectations
Father, I come to you acknowledging that you alone are God, and I reverence your holy presence. It is because of your unmerited grace and undeserved mercy that I have the awesome privilege of approaching you in prayer. Thank you for hearing me each time I call out to you and call upon your name for strength, direction, and healing.
As I thank you for allowing me to experience this Mother’s Day, I must confess that I am dealing with unmet expectations from this occasion. I am grateful for the happy moments afforded to me. Yet, I must be honest in expressing that things did not turn out as I had hoped. I expected more moments of happiness or cheer; maybe even something different. I was disappointed by unmet expectations from those I love.
Lord, I ask you to take my unmet expectations and exchange them with the satisfaction only you can provide. Where I have battled feelings of being overlooked, , or devalued, help me remember that I am your beloved daughter. I believe you are worthy of all my hope and trust.
For every time I have encountered disappointment from people, I will choose to take comfort in your faithfulness to me. Your word reminds me, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God” (Psalm 43:5, NKJV). Thank you, Lord, for lifting my countenance and renewing my confidence in you. I will not be taken captive by unmet expectations because I have now released all of them to you. By faith, I receive your rest and peace. Thank you, Father! In the name of Jesus, amen.
A Prayer for the Mother Grieving a Present Relational Strain with Her Child
Dear Lord, I come before your presence offering praise for your holiness and goodness. Thank you for the gift of motherhood. It is truly one of my highest callings. I am grateful for the child you have blessed me with. Thank you for making them in your image; they will be all you have called them to be.
In all transparency, I acknowledge that it was hard for me to celebrate or feel celebrated on Mother’s Day because of the strain in our relationship with (insert name of child). Although I desire to have a close relationship with (insert name of child), it has been extremely difficult in this season of parenting. My heart grieves due to the distance and disconnect we are currently experiencing. Lord, please heal my hurting heart and take away the pain I have because of the strain in our relationship that causes us to be at odds with one another.
I pray for the strength to continue praying for myself and for (insert name of child) as I believe you by faith to bring about a breakthrough in our relationship. I confess I have not parented perfectly. I have messed up in my judgment, faltered in my behavior, and said things I regret. Nevertheless, I recognize that because you are omnipotent, there is nothing too hard for you to perform. Thank you for Psalm 73:26 (NIV), which tells me, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.” I know that in due time, restoration will come to our relationship. Until then, thank you for being my heart's strength and unfailing portion forever.
Please deliver (name of child) from anything that lures them out of fellowship with you. May you come alive in (name of child’s) heart as they are drawn into an intimate relationship with you. May our relationship become all it is meant to be for your glory. In the name of Jesus, I pray, amen.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/goodmoments
Originally published May 14, 2025.
