Praying for those who Grieve on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a day when we recognise and honour the mothers in our family and community. It is a day when we thank our mothers and show them our appreciation. It is meant to be a happy, positive experience as we see how we have been blessed and then to bless others. One day a year we devote to motherhood and celebrate them, and it is a shame that our culture limits this to just one day a year.

At Life Anglican Church, we want to always do that and we want to rejoice in the goodness that has been shown to us by the many loving, hardworking, devoted mothers who have faithfully served their families, God and others. Yes, we think mothers are awesome! We praise God for wonderful mothers and for their love, devotion, support and the legacy that they have left to us!

[pushquote]To all on Mother’s Day and every day of the year; May the Lord bless you – comfort, heal, forgive, guide and empower you![/pushquote]

But, there are many who do not have positive memories of their mothers and possess mixed emotions about Mother’s Day. Many mums feel guilty that they haven’t spent enough time with their children. For some mothers, Mother’s Day resounds with them the frustration of motherhood and the constant demands that they face in raising children, particularly the unique challenges which come with blended families. For others, it could be the shame of an abortion. For a huge number of women, it reminds them of what isn’t with them today, having suffered through a miscarriage or the death of their child. For some, it might be the disappointment that their mothers were not there for them- that they were inconsistent, showed favouritism, were aloof or even judgemental and harsh.

[pushquote]”The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
He knows what you are going through and wants to work His wonderful plan of working through broken people like you and me.[/pushquote]

For some mums, Mother’s Day is a heartbreaking reminder that their child has gone off the rails in life or moved away from them and they have little connection with them anymore and Mother’s Day may make them feel sad and lonely. There are also those for whom Mothers’ Day reminds them of loss and grief because their mother is no longer in their lives. Perhaps because they live a long way away or they might have a fractured relationship with their mother or have experienced the death of their mum. For these people we want to reach out to them. We want to pray that God will grant to them comfort, healing and forgiveness. Psalm 34:18 tells us, “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” He knows what you are going through and wants to work His wonderful plan of working through broken people like you and me.

To all on Mother’s Day and every day of the year; May the Lord bless you – comfort, heal, forgive, guide and empower you!