Prayers
A Prayer for the Mess of Motherhood
Creator God, Who gave life to dear ones, Who knows the deep pride and frustration that commingle in the heart of a parent, Who breathed life into dust, Who feels the sting of disappointment in your children. Pour out grace on my family. Grant me perspective to see the world from two feet high, From…
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Easter Prayer
Spring seems especially brilliant this year, as does Easter’s promise of resurrection. Perhaps, though, I’m attuned to it differently. More alert. More awake. More present. Or maybe the darkness, death, violence, and grief has been much too prevalent. In the bright purples, the wild flowers dotting the grass, a chorus of birds, a flowing stream,…
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For the Mother That Needs to Be Held as She Holds Her Baby: A Prayer for Birth Trauma
O Divine Midwife, I come to you with my anxieties, my grief, and with my injuries, both emotional and physical. I am grateful for the baby in my arms, yet, I am also haunted by the fear of what could have been. O Midwife, grant me restored peace in surrender: Help me to see the…
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Holy Deliverer: A Prayer for a Traumatic Birth
Holy Deliverer, When bringing my child into the world brings pain and fear, Be near me. Faithful Rescuer, When I feel like Mary, giving birth far from comfort and not as planned, Cradle me. Gentle Father, When labor brings me physical and mental anguish and I doubt your goodness, Hold me. Loving Lord, When my…
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Still, Slow, Stoke, Save My Anger
Still my anger, Lord over milk spilled toothpaste wasted urine everywhere but the toilet Slow my anger, Lord when I am constantly interrupted my plans are thwarted my children misbehave and I feel embarrassed when I go without sleep without food without a moment of quiet Stoke my anger, Lord when children go without food,…
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A Prayer for Caregivers
God of boundless love, your care for us comes through the hands of others. Today we pray for all who do the hands-on work of love: those whose daily labor is in the home, those who care for young and old, those who tend bodies, minds, and hearts in need. We pray in a special…
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A Prayer for Traumatic Birth
O God who sees my suffering, who was present as my little one was brought forth in the confused mixture of my great joy at their birth and my great grief as our bodies spiraled out of control, Your strength [can bring / has brought] [me / us] back from…
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For When You Relive a Traumatic Birth
Author’s Note: My first son was born almost fifteen years ago after a two-day, induced labor because I had severe preeclampsia. I was in and out of the hospital over the course of a month, finally spending a week in the high-risk section of the labor and delivery wing before they induced me. My second…
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Prayers & Resources for Pregnancy After Loss
A Prayer for Pregnancy After Loss God of hope and healing, Help me to trust again. I know this is a new story, A different pregnancy, Another baby. But my heart still aches for the one I lost. I struggle to believe this journey Could end in goodness. Walk with me each day of this…
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A Prayer for the Mothers Who Have Lost a Child
Abba Father, Our eyes are filled with tears, our bodies are weary, our hearts are angry, and we’re just so sad. We can’t seem to put together the incomplete pieces of a life that is so broken without our children. Lord, help us to remember that You hear our cries, You see our tears, You…
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A Prayer for a Mother’s Anger
Abba, It is so easy to give in to the tension creeping up my neck, the tightness in my throat, and the hurt I’ve burrowed down deep. But what is not right is to unleash this hurt, these emotions I need to rightfully process with YOU, on my tiny humans. You don’t give me more…
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A Prayer for the Empty
O Lord, to You who fill all things in every way, help me in this season of longing. When I feel empty, fill me with Your abundant love. When I feel defeated, fill me with Your buoyant hope. When I feel brokenhearted, fill me with Your comforting Spirit. When I feel angry, fill…
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