As I am writing this, it is Mother's Day. While everyone else is surprising their mom with a homemade breakfast, I wonder how much I miss her. My mom has been gone for almost a decade, and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about her. Some memories are happy, and others are full of pain. To see her in the hospital in her final days felt entirely different than seeing her smile while we took a walk around the park when I was a kid.
I have a picture of my mom, which is my favorite picture of all time. It was taken in the early 2000s, most likely by my dad. My mom is smiling while we are at our favorite park, and it is fall time. The sun was setting, the leaves had all changed color, and my mom was there.
While I can never capture her on camera as my dad did in this life, I can remember her life and all the love, kindness, and knowledge she imparted on me. My mom made mistakes, but she was a great mom, and I'm lucky to have had her for the time I did. If you are also struggling with the loss of your mom, here are five prayers you can offer up to the Lord today. They will help you to find peace and comfort in Jesus.
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Whenever I am struggling with the pain of my mom's absence, I start thinking about the happy times. Most of these times were when I was in elementary school. My mom was my biggest hero, and she was always there for me. Even when I was wrong, she stood up for me. As I got older, these things changed, but I will forever remember the happy memories and treasure them.
If you have difficulty recalling past happy memories, ask the Lord to help you. While most people have a mix of good and bad, Jesus will help you remember the good times. Sometimes reflecting on the bad times is not helpful because it only makes us feel more sorrowful. Rather than remembering your mom in her final days, remember her when she was full of life. This will help you to be encouraged and hopeful for the days ahead.
“Dear God, please help me remember the happy times with my mom. Sometimes all I remember are the depressing times. Please help me recall all the times of happiness, joy, and love. I know these times were present, even if I have difficulty remembering them. Thank you for giving me the mom that I had. You have been so good to me. Amen.”
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My mother used to teach my siblings and I how to do something once and she would never speak on the matter again. If you didn't pay attention or the lesson went over your head, that was on you. You have to be paying attention and ensure you are listening in order to learn how to work the washing machine, stove, or microwave. She showed you once and that was it. While I have remembered all of these things and applied them wholeheartedly, some of the other things she taught me are harder to do.
For example, my mom used to teach my siblings and I to be nice to all people. This was never hard for me, however, my mom also taught us about forgiveness and that has been hard for me. Even though it is something that I struggle with doing, I try to forgive because it is ultimately what God wants us to do (Colossians 3:13). I believe my mom wanted to ensure that we practiced forgiveness because holding on to it would only make us bitter.
“Dear Jesus, please help me to apply what my mom taught me during her life. Help me to align what she taught me with Scripture. I know I can bring her memory honor by doing what she wants me to do. I praise You that she is with You in Heaven and she is smiling down on me. Thank You, Lord, for my mom and all of the lessons she taught me. Amen.”
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After my mom passed, I struggled with feeling safe and secure. My mom always protected us and was a force to be reckoned with. I knew whenever I was with her, I was okay. However, after she passed, my sense of security was shattered. I no longer felt firm, steadfast, or secure. I felt like a little kid again, who just needed her mom.
To be honest, I still feel this way. If you also think this way, know you are not alone. At these times, we need to pray for comfort and hope. God will hear our prayers and fill our hearts with what we need. He will never turn a deaf ear to our prayers. As Jesus tells us, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).
“Dear Jesus, I need Your comfort and hope. I feel all of the comfort and hope I had left when my mom passed away. Fill my heart with joy again and help me know that I am safe in Your arms. I trust You and I know you will always be with me. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.”
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Grief can sometimes be overwhelming and doesn’t operate on a timeline. While many people think grief plays out in a certain way, it does not. Grief can be messy, but it can also be healing. God can help us through grief and give us what our souls need. The grief of losing our mom will most likely stay with us until we see her again in Heaven, but God can help us work through it.
Grief has been a constant companion of mine since my mom passed away, and I don’t see it as a burden. I see grief as a reminder of how much I love my mom. It no longer bothers me or ruins my day. Ask the Lord also to help you make it through grief, and to be okay if it stays around. Grief can become a reminder of your mom and the impact she had on your life.
“Dear Jesus, grief is powerful and overwhelming. I ask You to help me make it through grief. If grief stays around longer or never lifts, I also ask You to help me to welcome it. I know the grief I am experiencing is because of the love I have for my mom, and I never want to forget this truth. Thank You for staying with me and being my beacon light. Amen.”
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At the end of every day, I pray for Jesus to return because I know this is when everything will finally be made right. Jesus will return and destroy all His enemies under His feet, including death. In His Heavenly Kingdom, we will be reunited with our loved ones, and nobody will take away our joy. Even though this prayer has not been answered yet, I know God hears it.
One day, all of us as believers will be with the Lord in Heaven. We will be with our loved ones who have passed away, including our moms. Things will be just as God wanted them to be. Later, God will create the New Heaven and New Earth, which will be our eternal home (Revelation 21). Once we are finally in our eternal home, we will never have to worry about being separated from our loved ones again. Praise be to God forever.
“Dear Jesus, I pray for Your Kingdom to come. I don’t want to live on this earth anymore as the sorrow of my heart is too strong. I miss my mom and want to see her again. May Your Kingdom come swiftly, and I’ll be at home with You soon, Lord. Until then, help me to stay strong and give me comfort. In Your wonderful Name, I pray, Amen.”
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