A Prayer For Mothers On Mothers Day

 Happy Mothers Day.  What a gift God has given to us in our mothers.  Some folks in Great Britain and elsewhere celebrated mothers a few weeks ago but here in North America the 2^nd Sunday of May is the time we set aside each year for Mother’s Day.

My own mother celebrated her 99th birthday this past week.  All 12 of her children give thanks to God for the wonderful example of a Godly life of service and wisdom and laughter.  I speak of her often and whenever I post her picture or any news of her on the internet, I tell you it blows up with people who know her and appreciate all she’s been through the years. 

What about your mother?  What do you appreciate about her?  What can you do today to let her know all she means to you and how grateful you are for having her in your life.  She may already have passed into eternity but you can still thank God for all your mother invested in you with her hard work and her example

Today I thought we might reflect briefly on Jesus’ mother.  She trusted God in spite of not really understanding all that was involved in the angel’s announcement to her that she would be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah.

It must have been challenging for her to believe that amazing fact to begin with, but then there was the society around her that had to be considered.  Her fiancée would think she had been unfaithful to him if he found out she was pregnant.  The people of the town would always know that she had been pregnant before being married and that was an extremely embarrassing and shameful condition at that time. 

In spite of all these difficult challenges, Mary trusted God.  God had spoken and if God said it, Mary believed it and made a choice to act on it.  Listen to her words to the angel:

“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Luke 1:38

When we face difficulties, do we respond to God like Mary.  God I want Your will and Your way in my life.  Let your will be done in me and my life.  I want to learn to live simply and naturally like that, don’t you?

Thirty years later in Mary’s life, when Jesus was almost ready to move into the public phase of his ministry, Jesus and Mary attended a wedding together.  Once again, there was a problem.  During this very special party, there wasn't enough wine to give to all the guests.  That, too, would have been an extremely embarrassing and shameful situation for the bride and groom. Somehow Mary noticed the situation, and still believing what God had spoken to her about Jesus 30 years ago, she told the servant who looked after the guests, “Do whatever he tells you."  John 2:5

Mary knew that Jesus was God.  Mary knew Jesus could solve the problem.  He had the power.  He had the knowledge.  Mary didn't know how, but she knew that Jesus could do it.  As she herself had done so many years before, she now instructed the servants to simply do whatever Jesus told them.

On this Mothers Day 2021, we pray to learn from Mary and live in simple faith and trust in God.

Loving God, we thank you for our mothers, we pray in gratitude for our mothers. They bore us in their womb for 9 long months and then gave birth to us – some at great risk to their own life.  Thank you for the patience and tenderness our mothers showed towards us as we learned to walk and talk, learn at school, get a job and go forward as a strong and independent person of value and dignity.  No one delighted in our successes more; no one could comfort us better in our failures. We are so grateful for how our mothers cared for us, mentored us and even disciplined us.   

Now Lord, You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings. Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return, not perfectly perhaps, but with gentleness and honour.  Give them the faithful support of family and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children. Give them joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most.

Strengthen our mothers when they feel down and give them hope when they are discouraged.  Most of all, Lord, on this Mother’s Day, give our mothers the grace they most need and desire today. Fill them with Your dear presence.  Affirm Your joy in them for their faithful service in raising their children.  Amen