A Mother's Day Corporate Prayer for Worship

Used in worship at Redemption Hill Church, Singapore today. Written/compiled by Sally Wuu. Used by permission.

Today being Mother’s Day here in Singapore, we want to recognize as a body of Christ that it is both a time of rejoicing and of mourning. Lord, help us to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.

Father, we rejoice and are so very grateful for all the mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, mothers-in-law and spiritual mothers in our midst and in our lives.

They have laid down their lives for our sakes, sacrificing their time, rights and resources to nurture, nourish, protect, comfort, encourage, admonish, discipline, and indeed embody Christ’s love to us. We honour these women and praise you for such love.

For mothers in our midst who are facing the very real hardships in life, whether it is the day-to-day toil of caring for children, physical challenges, financial needs, relational difficulties or depression, I pray that Jesus you meet them there in their troubles and remind them that you are always with them, and will never leave nor forsake them. Lord, surround them with community and may we who are their family be there for them and care for them in practical ways.

Father, I pray for moms like me who are filled with self-doubt – as we question our qualification to mother, despair at our inability to be patient and longsuffering, wallow in guilt for bad decisions, and plunge into condemnation – first and foremost, I ask for your forgiveness. We have taken upon ourselves an identity you have not given, looked to ourselves for the resources we need, and sought to be valued apart from what Jesus has done for us. Father I pray you remind us that our identity is in you and you have given us the grace that we need for each day to accomplish your will. For there is indeed now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus – our righteousness is Christ alone. Help us find joy in you alone and enjoy the unending and abundant love, affection and acceptance of being your daughter and be free to love and serve our families.

In this way, we pray for all those who are moms, that you would give them strength where they are weak, wisdom where they are unsure, patience with the many demands placed upon them, faith in your care for them and their families, and deep love for those whom you have given them to nurture.

Father, we also mourn with those are mourning this day – in this interim before you come back again, there are many amongst us who are hurting and grieving – please give us hearts that break with theirs and arms to comfort them.

For those among us who have suffered the loss of mother or loss of child and the grief is fresh – Lord be a tangible presence of comfort for them – for you are a Man of Sorrows and you understand their pain. May your tenderness be real to them and your mercies envelop them daily.

For those among us who are estranged from mothers or children, please meet them in their pain. May your humility and Spirit go before them, to salve and heal wounds, to soften hardened hearts and enable forgiveness and to love even those who have hurt them. And to hope in you for reconciliation.

For those who greatly desire children but unable due to singleness, infertility or circumstance, please give them comfort in their sadness, help them trust in you despite unfulfilled longings, and joy in knowing that you never stop loving them and having their best in mind.

For those among us who are still battling the guilt of choices made in the past – whether it is to give their child up for adoption or to have chosen abortion, Lord I lift them to you. Remind them that Jesus’ blood has fully paid the price and help them receive complete forgiveness. For you are merciful toward our iniquities, and you will remember our sins no more. I pray for freedom from this guilt and renewed joy in Christ’s salvation.

Lastly, if there are any amongst us whose pain is unspeakable - women who suffered great violence to become mothers, or women whose children suffer greatly, Lord have mercy! Yet there is hope in you. Yet you will turn it around for your glory. Lord grant them hope and strength each day and provide the tenderest of mercies - for you love them before the world began and will love them forevermore.

Even in the mourning, we praise you, for you are near to the brokenhearted and save the crushed in spirit.

For your glory, we pray in Jesus name, amen.