Last Updated on October 19, 2023 by Emma
St. Therese of Lisieux once said, “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.” It’s a beautiful, but convicting statement. The Lord intricately designed my heart, yet sometimes mine is filled with resentment, rage, and irritation. I have to continuously pray for myself and others to be better mothers.
The Scriptures give us several examples of what it means to be a holy mother. Sarah, Naomi, and Mary are just a few of the powerful mothers in Scripture. They teach us so much about the Lord’s desires in a mother and how we can serve our families and glorify God while doing it.
Patience: I have three kids 4 and under so my patience tends to run out quickly. When you’re struggling to be patient with your children, Sarah is the perfect mother in the Bible to turn to. She was barren, but she was patient and after waiting and waiting the Lord provided her with a son, Isaac.
Faith: Passing on the gift of faith is probably the most important thing we can do as mothers. It’s our primary duty to raise up our children to be disciples. Naomi’s son died, but she still passed on her faith to her daughter-in law-Ruth. Ruth told Naomi, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16, NIV).
If there is one area we should really strive to be better mothers it is the realm of faith: being a witness of faith, teaching the faith, and helping our children foster an authentic relationship with Christ.
Sacrifice: When I first became a mom, I felt like I was selfish to see motherhood, or the challenges of motherhood as a cross. After all, it was my choice to become a mom! The reality is, though, despite the blessing it is to be given the title of ‘mother,’ it is HARD.
The mental, emotional, and physical toll of raising up children to sainthood is not an easy task. Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew this all too well. She was told by Simeon when they presented Jesus in the Temple that, “a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35, NIV).
She knew from the very beginning that motherhood would be hard, but I’m sure she never anticipated the intense pain and sadness of watching your Son be beaten and crucified. However, she loved and supported Him through it all. She was at the foot of the cross where Jesus said, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother” (John 19:26-27, NIV).
She is not only a mother to John, but a mother to us all. When you are struggling to sacrifice for your children, know that Mary suffered too. All of your sacrifices are for the greater glory of the Kingdom of God!
I have given you prayers to be a better mother. Feel free to customize them to your specific situation. Please leave any prayer requests in the comments so we can pray with you!
Short Prayer To Be A Better Mother
Lord, I feel like I’m failing. I’m trying to show my children gentleness, kindness, and love, but I keep falling short of your steadfast love. Please help me to push aside my frustrations and focus on each child like I am responding to You. This vocation is challenging and it can only be done through your strength. Please help me to be a better mother. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer To Be A Mother Who Puts God First
Dear God, Your Son says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12: 30-31, NIV).
If these are your greatest commandments then they are my biggest prayers for becoming a better mother. I want to love you above all else. Someone who puts You first treats others the way they deserve to be treated.
I am struggling to put you first right now. I know in my mind that you are most important, but when I am plagued with responsibilities and the needs of my children all day I forget that it is You who gives me the life to do these things.
Please help me to see that You are most important. I pray that you take away the distractions. I am a tired and weary mother. The demands of motherhood sometimes get me down and I don’t have the energy to focus on You. Change my heart. Give me the desire to be a holy woman who prays daily and fervently.
Help me to love others like myself. Your Son served the poor selflessly and that is something we should be doing here on earth. It is our mission as Christians to be Your face, hands, and feet to those we encounter daily. Help this mission to be at the forefront of my mind.
I know I can’t walk the path to heaven alone. If it is your will please place someone in my path to help me grow in my relationship with you. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer To Be A More Positive Mother
Lord, I have found myself having a really negative attitude lately. I know if I keep this up my children will pick up on it. I want them to have a mother who encourages them and lifts them up. I want them to see me as a source of joy and not grumpy and negative.
Help me to focus on the things that are going well throughout my day. Help me to see all the ways you are present in my life. Change my negativity and turn it into a disposition of praise, peace, and joy. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer To Be A More Gentle Mother
Lord, I desire to be a more gentle mother. I have found myself getting angry and using harsh tones. I want my children to feel like they are coming to You when they come to me. You always welcome us with open arms even when we sin over and over again. Help me to do the same for my children.
The Scriptures say, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5, NIV). Give me a gentle disposition. When I want to short with my children, remind me how You respond to me. When I’m frustrated with their wrongdoings, turn my frustration into understanding.
I am my children’s safe place. I never want that to change. Please help them to always feel comfortable coming to their gentle mother. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer To Be A Mother With More Noble Character
Glory to God in the highest! I want to be a woman of noble character. Proverbs 31:10-31 is a passage about what it means to be a woman of noble character.
“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31: 26, NIV). May I be a woman who is attentive to the movements of Your voice. May I use this skill to make prudent and wise decisions. May I be a woman whose words are kind loving and not idle with gossips.
“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks” (Proverbs 31: 17). Help me to be more determined and hardworking. Help me to succeed in whatever tasks I am working towards no matter if they are big or small.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30, NIV). Help me to be a God fearing woman in all the best ways. I know I will glow with beauty if I am in awe of You and desire to please You. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer To Be A Less Anxious Mother
Lord, my anxiety is beginning to take over. There are so many things to worry about when it comes to my children. There are so many dangerous things in this world and undesirable outcomes. I find myself worrying so much that it’s inhibiting my ability to be a good mother.
Please help me to diminish my anxiety. You provide for all of my needs. Help me to stay in the present moment and not spiral. I need your peace. I trust you will provide. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Concluding Thoughts
Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. It is a glorious vocation, but it is unbelievably challenging. Being a mom has stretched me in new ways, but also brought me to encounter God in new ways.
Although we may feel we need to be perfect mothers, we never will be. We need the Lord to help us to be patient, faithful, and sacrifice. We need the Lord to help us be more positive, less anxious, and overall better mothers. We always have room to grow in the vocation of motherhood, all we need to do is ask the Lord to help us along the journey.