For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
(Psalm 139:13-14 NIV)
Yesterday morning was a push – push to finish the last-minute housecleaning for our guests, purchase sheep food, do Mom Taxi runs for one son, and cook and take a meal to a family whose mom is in the hospital. I wanted to have all these tasks and errands done so that when our guests arrived I could focus on enjoying my time with them. Thankfully, everything went smoothly and we’ve had a wonderful visit so far.
Today I’m thinking about and remembering mamas in my world who are struggling with hard things. You may have some in your world, too, but here are the ones I’m thinking about:
The mom of Cora—an eight-year-old girl scheduled for brain surgery in about two weeks—and Cora’s father, siblings, and extended family and friends. We are praying for a miracle of healing, even before the surgery takes place, but at the very least, through it.
The mom of Michael, an adult son who was tragically killed by a drunk driver on Wednesday. Please pray for his grieving mother, father, wife, teenage children, and the many friends and family now processing this sudden and devastating loss.
Emily, a mom 8½ months pregnant with her seventh baby boy and currently hospitalized with pneumonia and bronchitis. So far, the medication has not improved her oxygen levels. Although her hospital stay was expected to last 3–4 days, it may now extend until the baby’s birth. Please lift up this mom and her family in prayer.
There are many other moms who are struggling in different ways today. Let us join our faith and prayers together for them all. “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” – Jesus (Matthew 18:20 NIV)
El Shaddai,
Thank you for being Almighty God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things great and small. Thank you for knitting us together in our mothers’ wombs so we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We praise you for being near to those who are struggling—guiding, protecting, strengthening, and healing them.
Today, we lift up all mothers who are facing battles, especially those mentioned above.
We pray for Cora and her family as they prepare for her brain surgery. In the name of Jesus, we ask for a miracle—that the tumor would be miraculously and completely removed even before the surgery. But if surgery must proceed, we ask you to guide the hands of the surgeons, protect her brain, hearing, and all neurological functions, and bring healing through the operation. Cover this family with your peace, grace, and divine protection.
We pray for Michael’s mother, father, wife, and children as they grieve this unexpected loss. We ask that you surround them with your presence, provide for all their physical needs, and pour out your peace that surpasses understanding. We thank you that they dwell in you, O Most High. Shelter, strengthen, and uphold them in their sorrow.
We intercede for Emily and pray for your healing touch on her body. Restore her lungs, raise her oxygen levels, and protect the precious life of her unborn child. Strengthen her to prepare for a safe delivery. Let her be filled with your comfort, healing, and Shalom peace. Generously pour out your love to her husband and children through friends and family who help provide for them during her hospitalization. Jehovah Jireh, provide for every need—physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual—as they are apart.
Lord, we ask you to move in powerful ways in the lives of these families and in the lives of all mothers who are struggling today. We lift our prayers to you, in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NIV)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18 ESV)