Mothering God, you conceive us, give birth to us. You claim us as your own, call us by name, and have placed a seal upon our hearts.
You are our source of nurture. Your love is patient and kind.
You smile on us,
protect us,
feed us,
give us words to say,
show us how to walk,
cheer for us in our successes,
wipe our tears when we fail or suffer.
You encourage us,
dream big for us,
and love us for who we are.
We thank you for your mothering love.
Good and Gentle God,
we pray with gratitude today for our mothers,
for those all who have mothered us,
and for all the women who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life.
You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings.
Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return, not perfectly, but humanly.
Surround each with faithful support and guide them as they provide for the physical and spiritual growth and needs of their children.
Grace mothers with joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most.
We also pray for those for whom today is tinged with pain…… women who have suffered maternal loss, those unable to conceive, those who longed to bear children but due to circumstances feel the ache of empty arms. We pray for those who experience distance from their mothers whether physical or relational. We pray for those who mourn the death of their mothers and we pray for mothers who are mourning the loss of a child including the loss of dreams, hopes, and future. Comfort and hold each in your warm and compassionate embrace.
God of compassion , our hearts reach out to you today to hold those who are suffering, those who are grieving, the fearful, the anxious, the lonely, the isolated.
We pray for our Households of Faith.
God, continue to draw near to all your children as we draw near to you…. We are grateful that you are the God who hears our prayers before they are even formed into words. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen