Dear Lord, motherhood is hard. Life is hard. My family and I, we’ve had a rough year. I know that although our sadness is great, that your love is greater; but it’s still hard. Lord, allow these life trials to shape me and mold me to be a better mom for my kids, so I can teach them how to persevere and push through anything. I want to teach my kids to never give up on themselves, on you, or others. Help me to do that.
I think I’m doing a pretty good job of protecting my kids from unhealthy people; but Lord, how do I protect them from my imperfections? I know I constantly fall short. Guide me Lord and give me all the tools and wisdom I need to be the best mom for them. Just as your word says, reveal to me if there is any offensive way in me. Shape ME and mold ME into the women and mother you are calling me to be. Help me to be more honest with myself, my kids, you, and those around me. I don’t have to appear perfect... because Lord you know I certainly am far from it. When I see that perfectly put together looking mom on social media, remind me that everyone is facing some sort of battle that we know nothing about. I pray against the comparison trap in the name of Jesus! The devil wants me to compare myself to all the “perfect” looking moms. Help me also to be honest and not fall into the trap of trying to appear to being something I’m not. The world needs more real people, more real moms; moms who make mistakes and own them, moms who post unfiltered pictures of their lives and feelings. I yell at my kids sometimes, and I’m not always perfectly present with them. Help me to be better at that. They deserve that. When I have days that I’m disliking motherhood, remind me that it’s ok because we are never promised constant happiness. However, remind me in those moments that I can lean on you and be reminded that YOU have put the calling of motherhood into my life. Show me new and beautiful ways that I can embrace being a mom.. but the days I’m a hot mess, I’m ok with that. I’m loved by you despite my failures. Thank you.
This life can be pretty cruel. It can teach kids all the wrong things. The world teaches things like racism, selfishness, materialism, lying and violence. Sometimes it’s hard to compete with all the other voices out there. Help me to be a Godly example to my children in a world that actively promotes a life far from you. I’m saying “the world” but I know there’s a greater evil at work. You say in your word that “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” I’ve realized this year that the devil hates family. He hates a happy thriving healthy God honoring family. He seeks to tear down anything united in love. He wreaks havoc causing generational sin and brokenness for their family and their future families. He preys on the children because they are vulnerable. He allows the world to teach them things they were never meant to hear. But I proclaim in the name of Jesus that my home and my children belong to YOU.
I pray against the worldly messages my daughter will hear; messages that will give her unhealthy perceptions of her body and self worth. She is who YOU say she is; and that is a daughter of the King. I pray for her to learn how to rest in you when her fears seem too big to handle. I pray for her to know that in a world that sometimes tries to silence women, that she has been created to speak out and proclaim the truth. The sword of the spirit belongs to ALL believers. Rise her up!
I pray against the worldly messages my son will hear; messages that he needs to conform or act “normal” in the eyes of the world. Reveal to him how you are going to use his unique way of viewing the world to be a leader. When the world says “get over it”, I pray in the name of Jesus that you speak “don’t give up” over his life. He’s got a pretty outstanding example of an earthly father. So I pray he follows his lead, especially when the world has many poor examples of fatherhood. Give him a deep desire to advocate for anything that promotes hate and darkness. Rise him up!
Lord, rise ME up. When the devil tries to discourage me in this crazy confusing dark deceptive life, rise me up. Help me to rise above all the chaos so my kids can learn to always rise above the chaos. When the devil tries to tell me I can’t do this crazy life of motherhood, remind me that I can. I can do all things through YOU who gives me strength. Thank you for that promise.
Amen
