Resources

Blessing Our Children from The Beauty of Motherhood

Blessing Our Children

By Kimberly Knowle-Zeller | April 21, 2023

Many of us pray with our kids before bed. But what does it mean to bless our children? Enjoy this excerpt from The Beauty of Motherhood along with a practice, prayer, and ritual you can use to pray for your children (and others) at night. While my kids sleep, I say a prayer for their…

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Maternal Scripture Passages

4 Scripture Stories for Mothers

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | April 14, 2023

Scripture offers tender images of God caring for us like a loving mother. But we don’t often get the chance to sit with these beautiful passages. Let yourself pray with a new image of God this week. God as comforting mother “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13) Jesus…

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prayer for a hard, long Lent

Lentiest of Lents

By Katie Cassady | April 7, 2023

Loving God, this trudge toward Easter has been long and the sustenance meager. I find myself coming to you with empty hands and aching arms, from the effort of carrying a cross I did not choose. You know all too well that choosing a sacrifice this year was a luxury. In the midst of it…

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What to do after a school shooting

What to Do After a School Shooting

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | March 31, 2023

Today’s parents in the United States are regularly confronted with the horror of yet another school shooting. Each time this happens, we feel angry and anguished, grieving the tragedy and overwhelmed by what this means for our own children. Our faith compels us to cry out against violence and evil. God promises to hear our…

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behold your child

How To Behold Your Child

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | March 24, 2023

Behold. It’s a powerful word in Scripture. An invitation to stop and pay attention. To open our eyes because God is about to do something new. What if we tried to behold our life? To behold our children. To try to see them with God’s eyes. With love. And compassion. And hope. Let yourself try…

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Lent encouragement

Encouragement for When You Want to Give Up on Lent

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | March 17, 2023

If you’ve given up on Lent, If your best intentions have fallen short, If you want to quit, If you never got started Imagine what you might say to your child… When they’re struggling with school or work, When they’re feeling overwhelmed, When they want to quit something they’ve started, When they’re angry, hungry, or…

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parent lent breath prayers

Breath Prayers for Parents in Lent

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | March 10, 2023

For fasting Inhale: Help me let go. Exhale: Let me find You. Inhale: When I feel like I lack Exhale: Let me know You are near. For alms-giving Inhale: Help me give what I can. Exhale: Show Your face to my heart. Inhale: Whatever we have Exhale: Is given to share. For deeper prayer Inhale:…

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Scripture to pray with during Lent for parents

Lenten Scriptures for Parents

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | March 3, 2023

Parents and children are at the heart of Lent. Let these Scripture passages remind you of the power of sharing your faith with your kids in this sacred season. Teaching children You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and…

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Praying during impossible times as parents

Prayers for Parenting in Impossible Times

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | February 24, 2023

School shootings. Pandemic parenting. Racial violence, wars, natural disasters, civil unrest. Parenting right now can feel impossible. When you’re fumbling for the words to pray, our Mothering Spirit writers have powerful prayers to give voice to your deepest fears and hopes as a parent. A Prayer for Gun Violence in Schools by Kayla Craig A…

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lent parent

3 Ways to Prepare for Lent (When You’re A Parent)

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | February 17, 2023

1. Focus on what’s simple Try these 3 easy approaches for Lent: Read the details here: How To Live Lent as a Busy Mother. 2. Find a good book: for yourself and for your child Here is a list of our favorite Lenten books for children (and more ideas for Easter basket books for birth-6 years and 6-12 years). Don’t forget…

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hard days of parenting prayers

Prayers for the Hard Days of Parenting

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | February 10, 2023

Angry? Frustrated? Stressed out? We’ve been there. We’ve prayed through it, too. Here are a few words for when you feel like you’re going to lose it as a parent. 1. Breath prayers Inhale: Breathe in peace (love, hope, joy).Exhale: Breathe out fear (anger, grief, stress). Inhale: You are with me, God.Exhale: I am not…

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prayers for sick child

Prayers for When Your Child is Sick

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | February 3, 2023

1. A Breath Prayer The easiest prayers for a sick child, to pray at their bedside as you keep vigil while they are suffering. Pray one line as you breathe in and one line as you breathe out. Inhale: Heal my child, Lord. Exhale: Heal me, too. Inhale: You love my child. Exhale: Help me…

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Becoming Neighbors: Your Turn

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | November 4, 2022 |
how to become neighbors

This Week on Mothering Spirit Cameron’s essay invites us to ponder what it means to be neighbors, through the eyes of a child. Rakhi’s prayer asks where are our prophets and who are our neighbors? Resources to keep reflecting For more of Cameron’s writing, get her free Advent devotional on St. Óscar Romero from her Substack newsletter…

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Finding Light in Darkness: Your Turn

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | October 28, 2022 |
finding light in darkness as mother

This Week on Mothering Spirit Gina’s essay shares how antidepressants deepened her relationship with God and her joy as a mother. Kimberly’s prayer (in Spanish and English) asks for God’s help to choose love even in our struggles. Resources to keep reflecting Gina mentions the prayer “Hail, Holy Queen” in her essay. Find the whole prayer here. Sarah…

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The Fire for Justice: Your Turn

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | October 21, 2022 |
The Fire for Justice: Your Turn

This Week on Mothering Spirit Stina’s essay shares the experience of reading Micah as a mother while the world burns. Rakhi’s prayer asks for mercy, hope, and light in the darkness. Resources to keep reflecting Rakhi’s shop Rakstar Designs offers a print of Micah 6:8 to support the Equal Justice Initiative founded by Bryan Stevenson. For more of Stina’s…

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Breaking & Becoming: Your Turn

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | October 14, 2022 |
breaking & becoming

This Week on Mothering Spirit Rakhi’s essay about grieving her parents gives voice to the mystery of love persisting. Rachel’s prayer reminds us there is space for our stories, for all that is breaking and becoming. Resources to keep reflecting To help grieving children in your life, visit the Dougy Center for resources: The National Grief Center…

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Anger & Forgiveness: Your Turn

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | October 7, 2022 |
anger & forgiveness

This Week on Mothering Spirit Jess’ essay speaks truth about the anger buried within motherhood. Kimberly’s prayer (in both English and Spanish) asks for the grace of forgiveness. Our big news: we’ve just announced our first virtual retreat! Sing A New Song: A Birth Story Retreat will come to you in the comfort of your home on…

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Mystery and Motherhood: Your Turn

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | September 30, 2022 |
mystery of motherhood

This Week on Mothering Spirit Rachael’s essay invited us to look at ordinary moments of motherhood with fresh eyes, to see the beauty within the mystery of God’s love. Rachel’s prayer spoke deep truth to weary bones, that we are always beloved. Resources to keep reflecting For more writing from this week’s essayist, read Courage, Dear Heart and The Quiet…

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Mothering Spirit: How You Can Help

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | September 27, 2022 |
working together | help mothering spirit

Recently I shared on Instagram that we could use your help with Mothering Spirit. Deep thanks to those who have reached out with offers of help and support. You inspired me to make a list of what would help us most: from the spiritual to the practical. Pray for us What we need more than…

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Grace and Generations: Your Turn

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | September 23, 2022 |

This Week on Mothering Spirit Kirby’s essay explored the impact of generational trauma on motherhood. Rakhi’s words beckoned us to pray for the grace to love deeper and wider, reaching out to all who need God’s justice and mercy. Resources to keep reflecting Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God by Kaitlin Curtice, a Christian writer and…

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Home and Hope: Your Turn

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | September 16, 2022 |

This Week on Mothering Spirit Sarah’s essay challenged us to reexamine our understanding of home. Kimberly’s prayer (in both English and Spanish) invited us to find God right where we are, within the simple joys of family life. Resources to keep reflecting A prayer for migrants and refugees. For more essays from Sarah Bahiraei, read El-Roi at the…

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Time, transitions, and beginnings: your turn

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | September 9, 2022 |

This week on Mothering Spirit Vanesa’s essay invited us to reflect on the shifting experience of time through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Kayla’s prayer helped us to bless the beginnings and transitions in our callings as parents. Resources to keep reflecting For prayer during pregnancy, check out our e-books of Prayers for Pregnancy and Prayers for Birth. Exciting news: we’ve got…

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The Extraordinary Ordinary Time: A brand-new e-book

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | July 19, 2022 |

Our 1st e-book is now available from Mothering Spirit! The Extraordinary Ordinary Time is a new collection from Laura Kelly Fanucci, the founder of Mothering Spirit, and includes: original essays on the spirituality of this holy season  brand-new prayers for Ordinary Time best-loved poems that invite fresh reflection creative ways to pray through the longest…

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How To Holy Week: A Guide For Where You Are

By Laura Kelly Fanucci | April 17, 2019 |

At the request of readers, I’m rounding up my favorite posts on Holy Week and Triduum. For wherever you are and wherever God may meet you this week: blessings on all of it, the mess and the joy. If you’re expecting: Labor’s Stages: A Triduum. If you have a new baby: Baby’s First Holy Week.…

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