Do you keep praying the same prayers?

Tell us what you really think about Mother's Day - and more for the mental load of motherhood

This week on Mothering Spirit

What can we learn from the stories our kids love? Kimberly Knowle-Zeller tells how her daughter’s heroine (the Italian fencer Bebe) taught both of them what it means to embody strength and courage:

“Maybe the nighttime reading of Bebe’s story, the years of speech therapy, and the times watching Charlotte ride her horse aren’t only about her. Beneath the surface, these are also stories of a mother. 

A mother who worries and rails in frustration. A mother who desperately wants to be assured all will be well. A mother who wants to feel and know God’s presence is with her. A mother who is learning to trust.

A mother who wants to spread her arms and close her eyes and feel the wind rush through her hair, hearing the words: you are not alone.”

Read the rest here: Mothers, Daughters, and Stories of Courage.

Michelle Stiffler offers a moving prayer for when we feel overwhelmed, body and soul, by everything that motherhood demands of us:

When the mental load is tremendous, keep me from trembling.
When the fears are many, calm my body systems…
When the best response is unclear, draw me into Your wisdom.
When guilt afflicts me, center me on simplicity.
When I’m tempted to fixate, control, or live in hypervigilance,
realign me with the strength and power You’ve granted me.

Find the whole prayer here: A Prayer for the Mental Load of Motherhood.

Looking ahead to May

Need a prayer for yourself—or your church—to celebrate Mother’s Day that speaks to the width, depth, and breadth of this holiday?

For women who long to be mothers.
For mothers who have lost a child.
For children whose mother has died.
For families with difficult relationships.
For mothers who struggle.
For all who grieve & all who celebrate on Mother’s Day.

Feel free to use our litany in English or Spanish: A Prayer for Mother’s Day

We love your words

Want to know the latest topic that brought a flood of prayers to our inbox? The mental load of motherhood. Turns out the overwhelm is nearly universal.

Check out this beautiful example from reader Grace Thomas. Bookmark her words for the next time you need to remember how God is our partner in parenting:

Dear Father,
Who brings peace to the anxious
Who knows our frame
Who gives purpose to our lives
Who sent his only son on our behalf
Help me trust you.

Give me wisdom as I raise tiny souls
As I plant eternal seeds
Make my home fertile ground
Help me soak in your promises
Pull out the weeds and guard my mind.

Grace Thomas is a Christ-follower, wife, and mother. When she’s not playing with her son, she serves at her church, and enjoys living in sunny California. You can connect with her on her blog, Instagram, or email.

We’ll be sharing more of your prayers here & on our regular weekly prayer posts. If any of these upcoming topics speak to you, we’d love to share your words, too:

• Racism & parenting - due 5/1

• Divorce, separation, or single parenting - due 5/8

• Prayers about spring milestones for families: baby showers, graduations, weddings, first communions or confirmations - due 5/15

We’re looking for original prayers (previously published on your social media, blog, or other personal site are fine). We always give you full credit/copyright & tag you on our social media when we publish. Email your prayers to newsletter@motheringspirit.com.

You tell us

Many countries celebrate Mother’s Day in May. As we’re looking ahead, we want to know: What do you really want for Mother’s Day?

Flowers or chocolate? Breakfast in bed or dinner out? Homemade cards or a special gift? Fun with your family or an afternoon alone? A lovely fuss or nothing at all?

No wrong answers. We’re here to celebrate your motherhood whenever and however you want—no matter how complicated or glorious it may feel.

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