​A prayer on Mother’s Day

Loving God, look gently upon mothers of newborn and young children, give them energy, patience, gentleness and happiness in these fleeting days of sticky hands, messy houses and ever flowing laundry.

Bless mothers who are raising school aged children and teenagers, give them peace and joy in parenting in moments that seem both hard and wonderful all at the same time .

Bless mothers who from afar watch and wonder about their adult children, give them perspective and wisdom as their children make choices and live their own lives.

Healing God, comfort all people who mourn the absence of their mother today from death or illness or because of broken and challenging relationships.

Comfort those who had hoped to be mothers but have been unable to do so and those who continue to hope to become mothers.

Ever present God, embrace and comfort those mothers who mourn over the loss of their own children .

Gracious God, help us to recognize all the women who have guided us and loved us like mothers, shining forth as an example of the deepness of the love you offer each of your beloved children.

Bless us and keep us today in that love and always. In your name we pray. Amen.

SMJ, May 2017