6 Beautiful Prayers and Quotes For Mothers On Their Special Day

In Psalm 139:13-14, God tells us each of us grows from our mother's wombs. From the time we came into being until this moment, our mothers, or the mother figures in our lives, have sustained, nurtured, and protected us. 

Because our mothers’ commitment to us requires love and sacrifice, we commemorate them with Mother's Day. Mother's Day is a celebration of our moms, grandmas, aunts, stepmoms, and other mother figures — as well as everything they do for us. 

This holiday is an excellent opportunity for you to say "thank you." And to help you do just that, we'd like to share six Mother's Day prayers in this article. 

Why we celebrate Mother's Day

While the concept of saying "thank you" to moms is thousands of years old, Mother's Day in its modern form is pretty new. 

The first Mother's Day was held on May 12, 1907. It was organized by Anna Jarvis, who was from Philadelphia, to commemorate her late mother. Although the first Mother's Day was a small celebration, the tradition caught on quickly. In the following years, many U.S. states observed Mother's Day, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made Mother's Day a national holiday. 

Of course, the U.S. wasn't the only country to celebrate Mother's Day — people have celebrated "Mothering Sunday" for centuries. Mothering Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent. On Mothering Sunday, people living away from home traditionally return to visit their mothers.

People celebrate Mother's Day today for the same reasons they participated in Jarvis' events and celebrated Mothering Sunday. These reasons include:

• To celebrate the hard work of moms worldwide
• To give thanks for the sacrifices our moms make for us
• To commemorate mothers who have passed away 
• To cultivate gratitude for our moms

Ways to celebrate your mom this Mother's Day

Jarvis wasn't just the first person to celebrate Mother's Day — she was also the person who associated the holiday with flowers. In her original celebrations, she encouraged people to commentate their late mothers with a white carnation and their living mothers with a red or pink carnation.

However, giving your mother flowers isn't the only way to celebrate her. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for many families. While they would typically gather in person on Mother's Day, the pandemic has kept many families apart. Naturally, many people choose to commemorate their Mothers in other ways, including by:

• Sending her a "thank you" letter 
• Scheduling a family meal over a video chat app 
• Sending her a "good morning" message
• Surprising her by ordering dessert and sending it to her house 
• Sending her a card 
• Praying with her 

Mother's Day Bible verses

As Mother's Day is a modern celebration, the Bible never mentions it directly. However, God's word has a lot to say about the important role moms play in society and our lives. 

In Isaiah 66:13, God tells us that a mother's role is to comfort her children as God comforts us: "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem." 

In Deuteronomy 6:7, God tells us that Mothers are teachers, carers, and role models for their children: "Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." 

And in John 16:21, we learn that a mother endures pain for her children but experiences joy because of God's miracles: "A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world."

Of course, the Bible also features many strong and caring models that are integral to their communities. That includes:

• Eve — the mother of all living 
• Sarah — the wife of Abraham 
• Mary — Jesus' mother
• Jochebed — the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (you can learn more about her in our Bible reflection "Moses' Two Moms")‍
• The Proverbs 31 woman

Mother's Day prayers

Mothers play a crucial role in our lives, and for that, we should thank them. In this section, we'd like to share six Mother's Day prayers you can use to praise, bless, and thank God for your mother's love. 

Short Mother's Day prayer

Dear God, please help me wish a "Happy Mother's Day" to all mothers. Thank you for our mothers’ hearts, their steadfast love, and the faithful instruction you provide each Christian mother who serves you. Praise you, Lord, Amen.

Short prayer for those suffering with infertility 

Father God, please bless those dutifully waiting for the gift of motherhood. We know that it takes love, empathy, and sacrifice to be a mother. Please support those struggling with infertility in their journey, and help them remember Moses' words in Exodus 20:20: "Do not be afraid." Amen.

Happy Mother's Day prayer

Heavenly Father, 

I praise you for the gift of my many loving mothers. 

Thank you to the mother who birthed me. 

Thank you to the grandmothers who guided me. 

And thank you to all the mothers who helped me grow.

O loving God, please watch over my many mothers as they watch over me. 

In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Prayers for single mothers

Holy Spirit, 

This Mother's Day, my heart hurts for single moms. 

Please bless those who bring new life into this world alone.

Please grant them strength so that they may hold their heads high and push on. 

Let their loved ones care for them and let them have a moment of peace when they need it. 

Dear Lord, bless the single mothers of this world, as they carry a heavy but essential burden. 

In your son Jesus Christ's name, Amen."

Prayer for moms in heaven

Lord, though we celebrate the many wonderful mothers here on Earth today, let us take a moment to remember all moms in heaven.

Let us say thank you to them for the love and support they gave us while on Earth. Bless them for their sacrifices and praise them for their achievements. 

Lord, please watch over their children today. The loss of a parent is a heavy burden to carry. Let those who have lost their mothers remember your promise to us in Psalm 27:10: "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." Thank you, Lord, Amen.

Prayer for mother-in-law

Lord, let me say thank you to my mother-in-law. Though she didn't birth or raise me, she treats me like her own child. She loves fiercely, forgives easily, and hugs tightly. She is the light of this family and an inspiration to all of us. 

Thank you for the gifts you have provided her, and bless her in all she does. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Why you should celebrate Mother's Day with prayer

As Christians, we use prayer to connect with our creator and praise Him for the gifts He gives us — and there's no greater gift than our mothers. 

Without our mothers, we wouldn't have the lives, communities, and comforts we enjoy every day. Naturally, we should use prayer to celebrate our mothers and thank God for them. 

Psalm 139:13-14 reminds us: "For Thou hast possessed my reins. Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I'll praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well."

To learn more about God's design for families, listen to our Bible meditations "Great Parenting" and "Love and Kindness." Or, if you'd like to listen to more of our content, download our app from the iOS app store or the Google Play store.