Welcome

“Lord, on this Mother's Day, I lift up everyone carrying complicated feelings today, because this day holds so much joy for some and so much ache for others.

Thank You for mothers who love selflessly, who sacrifice endlessly, who shape lives and hearts in ways that echo through generations, bless them and let them feel valued today.

Strengthen single mothers carrying the weight of two parents, exhausted from doing it all, wondering if they're enough, they are doing a braver work than they know.

Be near to those whose arms ache for a child they couldn't have, who've walked the painful road of infertility, who feel this day as a reminder of longing unfulfilled.

Comfort those grieving children they've lost, whether through miscarriage, illness, accident, or circumstances too painful to name, mothers whose children aren't here to celebrate with them today.

Be with mothers who don't know where their children are today, separated by estrangement, distance, addiction, or circumstances beyond their control, still loving, still praying, still hoping.

Hold close everyone mourning their own mother, feeling the emptiness of this first Mother's Day without her, or the hundredth, missing her voice, her presence, her love.

Draw near to those with complicated relationships with their mothers, where this day brings more pain than celebration, where wounds are still open and healing feels far away.

See the stepmothers, foster mothers, grandmothers raising grandchildren, spiritual mothers, and every woman who has mothered someone not born to her, their love counts too.

Let this day hold space for both celebration and grief, for gratitude and longing, for joy and tears, knowing You see every heart and meet each one exactly where they are. In Jesus' name, Amen.”