[Today on this Mother’s Day, join me in praying for the “spiritual mamas” who are such a vital part of Christ’s Church.]

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV)

Today I am remembering the “spiritual mamas” who have invested in me. Some were/are at least a generation older and some are actually chronologically younger than I am, but all have had an impact on me as a person and as a Jesus-follower. Some have helped me make important life choices, some have calmed me down in times of trial, strife or trouble, and some have continually demonstrated God’s love, grace, and encouragement to me, no matter what my circumstances. I will never claim to be able to give back to them in equal amounts, but I will – whenever possible – invest in them or others who need a hug, a listening ear, a bit of encouragement, a spiritual kick-in-the-pants, or just a quiet presence. Today on Mother’s Day, let us remember and honor our mothers – biological and spiritual – and do what we can to bless and invest in the younger generations.

God,

Thank you for the many “spiritual mamas” each of us have in our lives. Thank you for biological moms, grandmas, aunts, and others who helped us learn and grow, and for the spiritual mamas who have been especially important to our spiritual development. Thank you for the sacrificial love they have demonstrated, the ways they have carried others’ burdens, and their humility in investing in others. Help us to multiply to others your grace and peace in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to encourage one another and build each other up. And Holy Spirit, help us, above all, to love each other deeply. We ask this in Jesus’s name, Amen.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:2 NASB)

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1 ESV)

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 NLT)

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5 NIV)

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 NIV)

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

“Above all, love each other deeply.” (1 Peter 4:8 NIV)