Prayers
A Prayer for A School Shooting
Again. Again. Again. Again. How long? How long. How long By what we have done And what we have failed to do, We have our children’s blood on our hands. Hear our cry, God of Justice. Heal our wounds, Prince of Peace. Help our brokenness, Spirit of Truth. We cannot live like this.Which is why…
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Comfort Me, Know Me, Hold Me
Lord, when I pray to You as my Father, do not allow my human mind to limit You to my human understanding of what it means to be father or mother. I pray that our limits of human language do not hide who You truly are to every one of Your children. You are Spirit,…
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A Prayer for a C-Section
Whether planned or unplanned, a Caesarean section is a powerful birth experience. The act of surrender into a surgeon’s hands symbolizes the physical sacrifice of motherhood—and invites a new reflection on Jesus’ own words: “This is my body, given for you.” Since it’s normal to face fear or anxiety heading into the operating room, it…
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A Cry of Lament
How long, O Lord? How are we to bear this pain Over and over and over Blood cries out from the ground Again and again and again Met once more with Empty words and violent fists Hearts of stone which fail to see To weep, to lament, to repent How long, O Lord We are…
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A Prayer for Temper Tantrums
Frustrated with your three year-old? Fed up with your teenager? Certain stages of parenting are just plain hard. Here are three prayers for when your child (or you) is throwing an epic fit. And remember: Help me is a whole prayer, too. A short version: God, I am going to lose it. Help me not…
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A Blessing for Emotional Labor
If they only knew that your love for them hums along in quiet work they cannot see, in love that is relentless, monotonous and nocturnal, hidden in acts of service that guard and keep. Perhaps they do not care how fully you care until the good order they take for granted is missing in action.…
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The Breath Prayer of Mothers
Inhale: their smoky tempers, all aflame, fiery and persistent in their desire Exhale: calm and firm, consistent boundaries Inhale: their sweaty anxieties, all wrapped up in things they don’t understand Exhale: a peaceful presence, unwavering even in your own misunderstanding Inhale: the taste of rebellion, their wild energy dancing away from you Exhale: grace, the…
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A Prayer Before a Child’s Hospitalization
Help me remember, O Lord, That nothing surprises You And no need is too great For Your mighty hand. O Lord, I ache to fix things, To heal my child, To protect them from suffering. And though I wish I were in control, I’m fighting to trust that You alone are God. As they prepare…
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A Prayer for When Your Child is Suffering
God of goodness, How could you let this happen to my beloved child? Watching them in pain Brings the deepest pain I have ever known. I wish I could step in and take their place So I could suffer instead of them. But I know that you know Human suffering from the inside out. That…
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A Blessing For Their First Phone
The device contains a universe of things and also nothing of any importance. May it be a tool you own and use so that it does not own and use you. May it offer connection to what is real rather than escape from what matters. May it be the last place you look for validation…
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For the ones who wrestle and wander
Some of us wrestle because we are full of a grief we cannot escape. If this is you, may you remember that your grief doesn’t mean you’re remiss or ungrateful. Lord, have mercy on us grieving ones. Some of us wander because we believe Jesus meant what he said when he told the parable of…
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Prayer for Birth and Racial Trauma
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the honor of being a mother. Thank You for entrusting me with this precious gift. As I bring my children into the world, my heart is heavy. I wonder what people will think of me as a Black mother. Will I meet their expectations? Or will I disappoint them?…
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