Often when people learn that I am a father of five, they assume that I am an expert in parenting who has it all together. While I enjoy the praise, the truth is that parenting is difficult no matter how much experience you have.

My family in no way has our act together. In fact, if you walked into my front door right now you’d find miscellaneous neighbor kids who we don’t claim responsibility for, hear sounds of arguing, and most likely be hit hard with the overwhelming smell of feet… teenagers, am I right?

We fail consistently, repent repeatedly, and reorganize the entire household structure on a consistent basis. When we scroll on social media we are flooded with images of the perfect family home, and a thought that says, “I should be doing better.” All of this makes it difficult to believe that you are doing exactly the job that God gave you to do.

Parenting through difficulties

Whether you have ten kids or one kid, whether you’re financially stable or living paycheck to paycheck, whether you have the support of a community or feel isolated, parenting is challenging. My heart goes out to many families and mothers who have to face difficulties and burdens in life that I’ve never experienced.

God can and will work through you!

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. (Colossians 1:9-10 NLT)

God works in our lives and in the lives of others as we pray to Him. Mothers need prayer for “complete knowledge, spiritual wisdom, and understanding.” The way to fruitful parenting isn’t the latest fad or book, it is through seeking God in prayer to do more than we ever could do alone. The Apostle Paul encourages the church at Colossae that the way to living a life pleasing to the Lord begins with prayer.

Colossians 1:9 begins with this powerful statement:

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you.”

Would you commit to praying for mothers in need? Maybe you are a mother in need and will seek the Lord for yourself. Whatever the circumstance, take time today to pray with us for these 5 kinds of moms:

Prayer for Pregnant Moms

Lord God, your word declares that You knew us in our mother’s wombs (Psalm 139:13; Jeremiah 1:5), so I pray for moms who are currently pregnant. I pray for Your strength and comfort. I pray for Your peace through this anxious time. You are the giver of life, so we trust this life to You now before it is even born and we pray this child will know of Your greatness! Amen.

Prayer for First-time Moms

God, we thank You for this gift of new life! We pray for the moms who are on this journey for the first time. We pray for anxieties, unknowns, and uncertainties to be met with Your peace (Colossians 3:12). We pray for strength and health for both mother and baby. May each milestone be filled with excitement and may they be supported with wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9), confidence, and protection that can only come from You. Amen.

Prayer for Moms in Poverty

Father, we pray for mothers working hard to raise their children in poverty. You declare that blessed are the poor, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs (Matthew 5:3). We pray You meet their immediate needs, declare to their hearts Your love and care for them, and lead them to resources unknown to raise up their families in the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Amen.

Prayer for Single Moms

Lord God, I pray for those mothers who are raising their children alone. I pray they would have the strength of Hagar (Genesis 16) to fight hard for the welfare of their family. I pray they would have the faith of the Widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-24) to give their all to serve the Lord. And I pray that their families would be filled with the knowledge that You are a good, good Father. Amen.

Prayer for Overwhelmed Moms

Lord, thank You that even in the midst of the chaos and stress, You are here and have not left us alone. Thank You for the blessings of children, even when life seems burdensome. Remind our hearts that the same power working in Christ is the same Spirit working in and through us (Ephesians 1:19-20) to accomplish what You have called us to do. In the overwhelming moments, help us to remember that You have given us everything we need to live (2 Peter 1:3), including the strength to mother children. Amen.

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