Prayers for Pentecost and Mother's Day

Prayers for Mother's Day

Loving God, as a mother gives nourishment to her children, so too You love us and walk with us every day. We ask You on this Mother’s Day to bless mothers and all parents. We pray for families, for children and for teenagers. Help families amidst the challenges they face in today’s world to not to give up on each other. We pray that all homes may be or yet become a place of acceptance, retreat and rest, and love where life can be faced with love’s resources assembled. We pray your care upon those who serve in the military, those in trouble and those who suffer. We pay for those families separated by distance or division. Hear our prayers O God of love. Remind us that you love us so very much and call us to live together as families and friends, through Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God our Creator, we pray: for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility ; for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting; for those who are tired, stressed or depressed; for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family; for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty; for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities; for those who have children they do not want; for those who raise children on their own; for those who have lost a child; for those who care for the children of others; for those whose children have left home; and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled. Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender, and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good, living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others. Amen.

Loving God, we thank you for the love of the mothers you have given us, whose love is so precious that it can never be measured, whose patience seems to have no end. May we see your loving hand behind them and guiding them. We pray for those mothers who fear they will run out of love or time, or patience. We ask you to bless them with your own special love. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our brother. Amen.

Gracious God, We thank you for adopting us into your family through the miracle of your grace, and for calling us to be brothers and sisters to each other. Today, loving God, we pray for our mothers: who cared for us when we were helpless who comforted us when we were hurt whose love and care we often took for granted. Today we pray for: those who are grieving the loss of their mother, those who never knew their biological mother, and now yearn for her those who have experienced the wonder of an adopted mother's love the families separated by war or conflict. Lord, give them special blessings. Keep us united with you and with each other, so that we can be and become all that we are meant to be. Amen.

Prayer for a Single Mother

Dear God, she seems to bear the weight of the world on her shoulders, but to carry it more lightly than I think I would. I see her balancing work and home, money and no money, friends who no longer make time to see her, and I send up a prayer for her. Her old friends have moved on with their lives, and in truth, she doesn't have much in common with them anymore. She is lonely, loving God. She would like company but doesn't want to make time for new relationships because her waking hours are already full: she is a mother. She walks when gas is too expensive for the car and forgoes new clothes so her child can have shoes. This is not how her life started out, but circumstances changed from her life of privilege to this life she embraces so fully. Her life is difficult and she seems so tired much of the time, but I am inspired by the love she has for her child. Give her the strength to put in long hours each day; the courage to face those who dismiss her with blaming and knowing nods; the ability to maintain her loving life at home; and the deepest knowledge in her heart that you love her.

For Working Mothers

My Loving Creator, You know how really tired I am. On days when things are really frantic, I consider how you made the world in seven days -- and then I try to remember that you aren't asking me to re-create that feat. Please help me to remain a loving mother to my children and to keep some balance in my life. Help me to remember that you are with me in every packed hour of every day. As I am finishing a work project or planning dinner or buying the kids shoes, (sometimes all at the same time) help me to remember your loving care for me and let me sometimes stop for a moment and just wallow in that. Most of all, my caring Father, let me remember to ask for help and to rely on you for strength when I have none left; for patience when mine is so often gone; and for the wisdom and endless well of compassion and love I need in my job as mother.

Gratitude For My Mother

Dear Lord, today I turn to you to give you thanks for my mother. With your own gift of life, she bore me in her womb and gave me life. She tenderly, patiently cared for me and taught me to walk and talk. She read to me and made me laugh. No one delighted in my successes more; no one could comfort me better in my failures. I am so grateful for how she mothered me and mentored me, and even disciplined me. Please bless her, Lord, and comfort her. Help her loving heart to continue to love and give of herself to others. Strengthen her when she is down and give her hope when she is discouraged. Most of all, Lord, on this Mother's Day, give my mother the graces she most needs and desires today. I ask you this, in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior forever and ever.

Prayer of a Parent While Doing Laundry

I find you so close to me right here, dear Lord. Surrounded by the dirt and scattered clothing of my family, I find this an ideal spot to pray with you. No one comes near here so it is quiet, and it gives me a chance to reflect on the many blessings of my life.As I pick up their clothing and sort it, I ask you to give each of them what is needed most in their lives. I fill the washer with my husband's shirts and socks, and ask that you bless him as he wears them to work each day. Give him the grace to see that his work is holy and open his eyes to see the sacredness of each moment of life. As I sort the tiny socks or the overalls of the children, I smile and remember how blessed I am to have them in my life. I sort the larger teenage clothing and wonder at how fast these clothes have become larger sizes - and how quickly children grow up. I ask your help as I guide them through each new phase of their lives. Give me a love that is endless, a heart that forgives them and the humility to ask for their forgiveness when that is right. Help me keep them from danger, and help me to let go and trust you when it is time to do that. I try so hard to be perfect but lead me to remember that it is here in the smudged, disorganized and disheveled part of life that I find you the nearest. Thank you, dearest Lord, for so much grace in my life!

Prayer of a Mother Concerned About Her Adult Childern

As I turn to you, Lord, my heart is troubled. You know the journey that brought my children to where they are today. I am so sorry for whatever my husband or I might have done wrong, Lord. Our children don't seem to practice the faith we tried to hand on to them. Their values are so different from ours. It breaks my heart to see them passing those same values on to their children, my grandchildren. Oh, Lord, I place them in your hands. I surrender the judgments and anger that can fill me. I know that, at times, in my frustration and desire to help them, I have pushed them farther away. Give me the graces I need to change my heart. Fill me with your mercy and forgiveness for my sins so that I might grow in the ability to forgive and embrace my kids with compassionate love. Let me be a healer of wounds, rather than a wonder. Let me build bridges of understanding. I know that is the only way I will be able, with your grace, to heal our relationship. Father of Love, help my kids grow in gratitude to you. Help them to find you in their busy lives. Help me to affirm them and support them with love, that they might recognize authentic faith and love, and turn to you in their time of need. Thank you, Lord. Thank you.

Prayers for Pentecost

Eternal God, where shall we go from your Spirit? Or flee from your Presence? If we ascend to the highest experiences of love and beauty – you are there. If we descend into the bowels of the hell of our own making – you are there; For there is no experience outside the presence of your Spirit. We pray for others, and thereby touch them with our thoughts – Those who seek purpose in life, but fail to acknowledge your eternal plan. Ill people who know what it is to hurt and be afraid, Lonely people who know what it is to hunger for someone’s concern, Pressured people who fear they are going to break. As we look about the world with its perplexing problems, Let us look with eyes full of faith… hope… and… love. Let us be intoxicated and under the influence of the Holy Spirit! For indeed you are here in this special place… and…. everywhere! Through the power of the Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.

Almighty God, who on this day didst open the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of thy Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Divine Worship (and the Book of Common Prayer)

Prayer of the Day Joel 2 and Acts 2

God of all people and nations, you come to us in every time and place, and you speak to us in our own language. Pour out your Holy Spirit, here and now, upon all your people—sons and daughters, young and old. Let us see visions and dream dreams of the new creation you have promised, so that we may tell the world of your saving power and teach all your children to call upon your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayers of the People Psalm 104:30

Let us pray for the needs of the church and the world, saying, Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. For the whole church of Jesus Christ, born at Pentecost, and for all those who offer their lives in Christ’s service; Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. For this community of God’s people, young and old, for its mission and ministry in Christ’s name; Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. For the leaders and people of this and every nation, that new voices of wisdom and understanding may emerge; Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. For peace and justice throughout the world, and especially for young people in war-torn lands. Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. For the preservation and healing of this fragile planet, that our children may know the beauty and goodness of your creation. Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. For all who suffer through poverty and injustice, and especially those whose lives are just beginning. Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. For the sick, the sorrowful, the lonely, the dying; for the very young and very old among us. Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. For those special needs and concerns we present to you now, aloud or in silence … Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. Living God, we give thanks for the love of your Spirit who intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. Let these prayers contribute to the building up of the body of Christ and to your saving purpose for all the world; through Jesus Christ and in the unity of the Holy Spirit we pray.