Mother’s Day is a time filled with emotions of all kinds for women. Some women are happy, others mournful. Some are satisfied, others are longing. Some are hopeful, others are hopeless. Motherhood is both a unique and universal experience.

If you lead a congregation, it’s hard to pray for people with such varying experiences of motherhood. But we should strive to remind all that, whatever Mother’s Day feels like, God is with them. Here’s my attempt at a prayer to do that.

If you are a ministry leader, feel free to share it in your worship settings or adapt as appropriate. No credit is needed.

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Almighty and Everlasting God,

When asked how to pray, Jesus taught us that we can call You our Father (Matt. 6:9). So we, Your children, come to You on this Mother’s Day, knowing that motherhood is both a unique and universal experience for the women of this world.

In the beginning, you brooded over the waters of chaos and brought forth life (Gen. 1:2). You know the joys of the mother who has brought life into this world.

You birthed a nation and set them free from slavery, establishing them in their own land (Ex. 13:18). You know the pride of the mother whose child is well-established.

You grieved when your children went astray, giving into the things of this world (Ps. 78:40). You know the grief of the mother whose child has gone astray.

You agonized for years over Your unrepentant children, pleading for them to come back home (Jer. 4:1). You know the agony of the praying mother who wants her children back.

You have watched Your one and only Son die (Luke 23:46). You know the heartache of the mother whose child has died.

You have great plans, hopes, and dreams for Your children (Jer. 29:11) and yet You’ve given us free will, so they don’t always come true. You know the disappointment of the woman who dreams of being a mother but isn’t.

You heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds (Ps. 147:3). You know the physical, emotional, and mental wounds of the mother whose child died in the womb or in her arms.

You have adopted each and everyone one of us into Your family and we are grateful (Gal. 4:5). You know the love of the mother whose child doesn’t share her DNA.

Jesus, throughout Your time on earth, You spent much time with Your mother (John 2:3). You know the peace of the child who has a great relationship with their mother.

You weren’t always understood by Your mother, though (Luke 2:50). You know the frustration of the child who feels misunderstood by their mother.

You desired to gather Your children as a mother hen gathers her chicks, but You were rejected (Matt. 23:37). You know the pain of the mother rejected by her children.

You grew up with a parent who was not Your biological parent (Luke 1:35). You know the confusion of the child who has grown up without their mother.

But you also knew what it was like to be raised by someone who called You their own, even when You didn’t share their DNA (Matt. 1:20). You know the gratitude of the child with a spiritual, adopted, or foster mother.

From the cross, You cried out, “Why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46) You know the rejection of the child whose mother has left them.

You entrusted the disciple You loved to take care of Your mother (John 19:26-27). You know the trust of the child whose mother is cared for by someone else.

You knew what it was like to lose someone dear to you (John 11:35). You know the sadness of the child whose mother has left this world.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we celebrate the ways that mothering reflects Your very image—by bringing forth new life, nurturing others, and living with the tension of providing both freedom and a safety net. We give You thanks for all the mother figures in our lives and pray Your blessings upon each as she continues to reflect Your heart of selfless love. Amen.

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