5 Prayers for Women Transitioning to Motherhood

1. A prayer for strength during the transition to becoming a mom.

When you first become a mom, energy is one thing that is lacking. A mom goes through a traumatic experience and then is thrown into a brand new role. It can be challenging to embrace this new life change, especially when you are so exhausted. Thankfully, the Lord is right there in it with us. Here is a prayer for the weary mom:

Lord,

Thank you for the blessing of becoming a mom. With this major life change, help us remember that all of our strength comes from you. We would not be able to do it without you. When it feels like we have nothing left, give us what we need to care for our kids. If we need rest, please provide us with the time to get it. Help us rely on you for all that we need. We are so grateful for your faithfulness and that you never leave us to do life alone. Amen.

2. A prayer to find worth and identity completely in the Lord when becoming a mom.

Being a mom myself, I know how easy it is to try to find my worth and identity in my kids. When you invest so much time and energy into these little people, it's hard not to let them become the center of your universe. We need to remember that, as their parents, we will only have them in our homes for a limited amount of time. They will grow up and become adults themselves. As parents, our role in their lives will change. If our identity were solely in our kids, we would be disappointed when they leave home. First and foremost, our identity and worth must come from the Lord. Here is a prayer for that:

Lord,

Thank you for being our secure foundation. Being a mom is such an important role, but it should not be the only thing we find our worth in. Help us remember that you unconditionally love us and that our complete identity is in you alone. It isn't fair to put our kids in a position only you are supposed to be in, so help us be aware if we start to do that. You are everything that we need. Thank you for making us complete. Amen.

3. A prayer to remain humble, ask for help, and rely on the Lord during this time.

One of the hardest things to do as a new mom is ask for help. We might think we are inconveniencing others or feel as though we are being a bother. It can also be hard to remember to ask the Lord for help when we need it. As moms, we won't be able to do it on our own. We need to quickly recognize our limitations and ask for help. Pride keeps us from admitting how much we need others. It may actually surprise us how eager people are to help. That is exactly what the Lord wants us to do: He wants us to come to Him in our time of need. Here is a prayer:

Lord,

Help me be aware of my limitations when I become a mom for the first time. If I become too self-reliant, remind me that you have told us not to do life alone. Help me reach out to others, and know that I am not a burden. We were made to do life with you and completely depend on you. You love it when we come to you with all of our needs. I don't know where I would be without you. Amen.

4. A prayer to help a new mom remember that their child belongs to the Lord, and he can be trusted with them.

It is an exciting time when you first become a mom. It doesn't take long to become attached to your little bundle of joy, and you find your love for them runs deep. There is the temptation to forget that our child belongs to the Lord. We are called to love and raise these little people, but at some point they will leave the home and be on their own. While it is hard to fathom when they are so little, we won't be with them constantly either. The one who is with them always is Jesus. We need to release our grip on our kids and hand them over to him. Here is a prayer for when it is hard to let go.

Lord,

Thank you for the gift you have given me in my baby, and thank you for trusting me with their precious life. I know my love for my child runs deep, but your love for them is much more profound than I can even understand. Help me release my child to you, and know that my time with them is limited. They belong to you, and I am grateful I get to be their mom. I don't need to worry, because even when I am not with them, you are. Guide me as their mom, and help me raise them how you would want me to. Help me keep the perspective that they will be with me for a season, and then I will need to let go. I want to keep my grip loose on my kids. Thank you so much for them. Amen.

5. A prayer to help a new mom take one day at a time, give herself grace, and help her release control.

It is hard not to plan for the future when you are a mom. I have dreamed about certain times in my kids' lives, and what that would be like. At the same time, it was hard when my kids were babies because time seemed to go so slowly. In that first year, my kids required a lot of time and attention; I was grateful for any moment when I could sit still. I could be pretty hard on myself, too. I am a perfectionist, and if I did things wrong or didn't know how to do something, it was really hard for me. It's overwhelming when you first become a mom, so take it one day at a time. Things won't be like it was before, and you have to get used to this new way of life. We need to take it easy on ourselves when we face such a big transition. Here is a prayer:

Lord,

As moms, help us cherish each day that we have with our kids. When they are first born, help us know it is okay to slow down. We can't always move at the speed we were used to. Help us give ourselves grace, and that mistakes are okay and will happen. It is a significant life change, so we need to learn and establish new daily rhythms. When we are grasping for control, help us remember we can trust you, and we can release any worries or fears that we have. We can live moment to moment knowing that you have the future taken care of. Amen.

Becoming a mom is one of the hardest and most wonderful things all at the same time. It interrupts and changes our lives, but in the best way possible. Thankfully, we don't have to do it alone; we can walk with the Lord through all of it. He gives us what we need and will help us raise our kids how he would want us to.

I don't know what I would have done as a new mom if I didn't have him. I felt so inadequate, I didn't know if I had what it took to raise my child. As a mom who has been in the trenches for years, let me tell you that the Lord is faithful. He loves these kids more than you will ever know, and he is completely in control. There have been many nights when I have cried and prayed for him to help me parent these kids. He has been there for me, and he will be there for you, too. You will be just the mom your child needs.

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