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Mama, are you tired?

Do you ever lie awake wondering if you’re failing?
Do you feel like you’re falling short in this whole mom thing? Like you’re just not enough?

Jesus understands exactly what you’re going through. He had 12 disciples and I imagine it felt to Jesus like having 12 children. Now granted, they were all potty trained and dressed themselves but still…

They didn’t always listen.
They argued over who was His favorite.
They fell asleep when He desperately needed their support.
And one ultimately betrayed Him.

Jesus gets it.

He understands your exhaustion and your frustration, and He wants to help.

Here are a few simple ways to partner with Him throughout your day.

MORNING

Start the day with one word: Help.

“Help me be the mom You want me to be.
Speak through me.
Love through me.
Help me be present and engaged.
Holy Spirit, fill me.”
(The Holy Spirit is God living within us.)

If you can, try to wake up a few minutes before your kids. And if that feels impossible, ask God for help. He meets us in our weakness and will give you the strength to rise, even briefly, so your tank can be filled before you pour out all day long.

AFTERNOON

Just like we reach for a mid-day cup of coffee, don’t forget your mid-day cry for help.

God is available all day long.
When you’re weary, He gives strength.
When you need wisdom, ask. He delights in answering.
The Holy Spirit gently reveals what your children need, often before you even know to ask.

NIGHT

End the day the same way you began it: Help.

Evenings can be so hard. By the time I put my four boys to bed, I am completely spent. But bedtime matters. Kids are often most vulnerable then. They suddenly open up, sharing things they held in all day.

I climb into bed with each of my boys – to listen, to sing, to pray.

My mom did the same for us, and those moments still feel like a warm hug in my memory.

Mama, you are not alone.
And you don’t have to do this on your own.

Let me share a sweet story about how our nightly prayer time made a real impact on one of my boys.

Each night when I prayed with George, I prayed what we called the “5 L’s.” I asked God to help him be:

• a strong LEADER

• a good LISTENER

• a fast LEARNER

• and to know God’s LOVE and show God’s LOVE

When his report card came home, I read a note from his teacher that stopped me in my tracks. She wrote that George has “enthusiasm for learning, is a superstar listener, and is kind to his classmates.”

My heart overflowed. I could see God answering our prayers in real, tangible ways.

Prayer doesn’t just move heaven on our behalf, it also shapes our children’s hearts and lives. When we pray over them, we remind them of who God created them to be.

Through our nightly prayers, my boys are reminded that they are leaders, listeners, and learners, boys who know God’s love and show God’s love.

What not to pray: shaming prayers

“Lord, forgive my son for being a bad boy.”

Please don’t do this. Shaming prayers can plant guilt and discourage children from turning to God when they mess up.

What to pray instead

Pray words that inspire and encourage – prayers that give your children something beautiful to live up to.

“Thank You, Lord, for making my son strong and courageous, kind and bold.”

Pray Scripture with them and over them:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7

One of my favorite resources is The Power of a Praying Parent. My sister Kara gave it to me when I was pregnant with my first son in 2007, and I’ve read it over and over since. It offers powerful, specific prayers and gently teaches you how to pray intentionally for your children.

I can’t recommend it enough.

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Remember this: God chose you to be the mom your children need. Not by accident. Not as a backup plan. He sees you, and He wants to help you become the very best mama you can be.

If today was hard, that’s okay. We all have tough days. God’s mercy meets us fresh each morning, and tomorrow is a brand-new start.

You are deeply loved by your Heavenly Father.
You are chosen.
You are equipped.

You have what it takes, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Please feel free to leave me your prayer request in the comments section (the little box to the right of the title) and I will pray for you!

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Love,

Kathryn