A Mother’s Prayer for Strength and Faith and Courage

(Inside: A prayer for strength and faith and courage during this season of motherhood. What is a prayer for strength? It’s so simple and yet empowering.)

I’m learning to discern God’s voice in my life, to feel His gentle nudge, interpret what He writes on my heart, and move towards Him.

I believe that He gives me – just like everyone else – talents. These gifts I get to use in motherhood, relationships, my community, my career, and just for fun. I believe He uses these gifts, talents, and desires of my heart to nudge me in a direction toward His callings in my life.

However, I can think that these thoughts are lovely but be scared to actually follow Him.

Yet, I’m empowered by the strength and faith and courage I see in others.

Like my friend who quit her job as a – ready for this? – attorney. After law school and an impressive amount of years with a law firm, she felt like her job sucked her soul dry. With strength, she named God’s arrow pointing her away from a lucrative career that financially provided well for her family. She had faith that God would be faithful to her in the change, and she courageously pursued a new career path. 

Or the parents who moved from their beloved home state of Missouri (born and raised!) to live near their daughter. She had been tragically widowed and left with two small children to raise on her own. Her parents had the strength, faith, and courage to close up their counseling practice and move to Alabama to become full-time grandparents.

Or my friend who adopted three kids from foster care after she already had five of her own. Meaning, her husband and her are together raising 8 kids.  E. I. G. H. T – the number between 9 and 10. She had the strength to hear God’s nudge towards yes, the faith that God will equip them to meet their kids’ needs, and the courage to make a huge life shift. 

So, in my life, I pray for the same strength and faith and courage I see around me.

Dear God, please give me the strength to purposely slow down life, get quiet before you, and listen to your voice.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

^“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:12

 

Give me faith that you are always for me. That you are guiding me, leading me, and want me to use my gifts. to better this world. Help me to believe in your promises and your faithfulness.  

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Jeremiah 29:11

 

Grant me the courage to follow that inner knowing (your voice) that gives me the next step. When I feel scared, still please give me the courage to take small actions that make the next steps clearer. I wonder what it’d be like to take a step this way. Hmm, that didn’t feel right, let me sidestep to the right. That’s working…now how about two steps back. Jesus, be near with every choice and decision and baby step.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

I’ve been praying a messy version of this prayer on walks, in the shower, and while shopping and that’s when I saw this piece of art…

The artwork moved me. It spoke to me of strength to stop and listen to God’s inner prompting. It spoke to me of faith to believe in God’s goodness. It spoke to me of courage to chase dreams and life and Jesus. 

I will never be too old to remind myself that learning to discern God’s voice and follow Him takes strength, faith, and courage. So, I surprised myself and bought the art for our bedroom. 

I liked the tangible reminder of my prayer – it felt like an amen.

A prayer of strength and courage. Read more in the “power of a praying mother” series

Prayer. I’ve had a tricky relationship with prayer over the years. I’ve bounced between ‘what’s the point?’ and ‘Lord, God, THANK YOU so much for the powerful gift of prayer.’

Here’s what life experience and the study of God’s word have taught me about prayer:

God hears our prayers.
God sometimes answers prayers.
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God shapes us and changes our perspective in uplifting ways through prayer.
God nourishes us through prayer.
God speaks to our hearts with quiet “knowings” deep inside of us through prayer. 
God builds his relationship with us through prayer.
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Prayer is powerful in ways that we fully don’t understand.
Science proves that prayer is a healthy, life-giving practice with both physical and mental benefits. 

Be encouraged, read on:

A Praying Mother is a Strong Mother
A Mom’s Prayer: Transform Your Anxious Thoughts Through Prayer
A Mother’s Prayer for Strength and Faith and Courage
A Prayer to Conquer Your Mountain

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As a side note – I found out my blog post on, “A Morning Prayer” was featured on Beautiful Ashes.  I am always a little amazed when another blogger chooses to feature one of my posts.  Grateful.