9 Blessings for All Mothers
Mothers nurture and love their children from infancy, providing them with wisdom and guidance toward happiness. Whether you're a mother or an expectant mother, celebrate motherhood with these nine prayers and blessings. Find comfort in words that will encourage a mother through birth, difficult pregnancies, nursing, welcoming children into the world, and the struggles of day-to-day child rearing. Read these prayers and blessings for mothers who need strength, hope, and inspiration . Prayers featured here are reprinted from "Honoring Motherhood: Prayers, Ceremonies & Blessings " - Edited with Introductions by Lynn L. Caruso. (c) 2008. Permission granted by SkyLight Paths Publishing, P.O. Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091 www.skylightpaths.com
Blessing from Mother to Child
Blessing from Mother to Child
[insert child’s name]
From the moment of birth I have cradled you to my breast. Nourished you with a love that was both a feast, yet more often a simple meal. In some small way, remember these moments together. May you be blessed as you move out of my arms and into the circle of others. And may this experience of love continue to feed you all the days of my life.- Lynn L. Caruso Prayer by Lynn L. Caruso is from "Honoring Motherhood: Prayers, Ceremonies & Blessings " - Edited with Introductions by Lynn L. Caruso. (c) 2008. Permission granted by SkyLight Paths Publishing, P.O. Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091 www.skylightpaths.com
Blessing for Expectant Mothers
Blessing for Expectant Mothers
Remember always, your body is sacred ground. Your roots are strong and the sun holy. The gardeners who came before— Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother— Tilled your soil with the compost of their lives. And now, you hold the seeds. Plant them deeply in the furrow of this land. May what comes to you as flower One day ripe into fruit. And in your final years, May they return as shade.- Lynn L. Caruso Prayer by Lynn L. Caruso is from "Honoring Motherhood: Prayers, Ceremonies & Blessings " - Edited with Introductions by Lynn L. Caruso. (c) 2008. Permission granted by SkyLight Paths Publishing, P.O. Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091 www.skylightpaths.com
Dear God, Bless All Mothers...
Dear God, Bless All Mothers...
In this intense nine months, when mothers-to-be are realizing that their life is about to change forever, bless them God, because they feel alternately elated and alarmed. Help each mother-in-waiting to understand that she has been carefully chosen, by both you and by her baby, to guide it through its early years on planet Earth. Let her know that she will never be alone in the process. Help her to remember that her baby is your own perfect creation, just as she, herself, is your own perfect creation. Thank you God, for making each of your creations uniquely perfect in its own way. Amen. - Lauren McLaughlin Prayer by Lauren McLaughlin is from "Honoring Motherhood: Prayers, Ceremonies & Blessings " - Edited with Introductions by Lynn L. Caruso. (c) 2008. Permission granted by SkyLight Paths Publishing, P.O. Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091 www.skylightpaths.com
For Nursing
For Nursing
God, our mother, you who nurture and cherish us, nourish my child with my milk (this food). Strengthen our love for one another, from this day forth and forevermore. Amen.- Rev. Lauren J. McFeater Prayer by Rev. Lauren J. McFeater is from "Honoring Motherhood: Prayers, Ceremonies & Blessings " - Edited with Introductions by Lynn L. Caruso. (c) 2008. Permission granted by SkyLight Paths Publishing, P.O. Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091 www.skylightpaths.com
For a Difficult Pregnancy
For a Difficult Pregnancy
Creator God, Comfort the mother who waits anxiously for her baby’s arrival. Through her challenging pregnancy bring peace. Help her to relinquish control, trusting that you formed this child within her womb and will watch over this little one until birth—and beyond. Renew her strength for the days ahead. And in your perfect timing, deliver this child safely into her waiting arms. Amen.- Lynn L. Caruso Prayer by Lynn L. Caruso is from "Honoring Motherhood: Prayers, Ceremonies & Blessings " - Edited with Introductions by Lynn L. Caruso. (c) 2008. Permission granted by SkyLight Paths Publishing, P.O. Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091 www.skylightpaths.com
To Know My Child
To Know My Child
Creator God, Give me the patience and wisdom to truly know my son. To be present for him through all of life’s joys and trials. To understand his desires and needs. To love him fully, yet allow him to live his own life. And when I grow weary, I surrender this work of parenting to you. Renew my spirit so that I might begin each day as the first. Amen.- Lynn L. Caruso Prayer by Lynn L. Caruso is from "Honoring Motherhood: Prayers, Ceremonies & Blessings " - Edited with Introductions by Lynn L. Caruso. (c) 2008. Permission granted by SkyLight Paths Publishing, P.O. Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091 www.skylightpaths.com
From Parents to Child
From Parents to Child
To be spoken by parent(s)
Creator God, We pray that our son will live his life with concern for the world around him. With his birth we are reminded of the possibility for goodness in a world that is often filled with suffering. Help us to be a part of the healing— renewing our commitment to repair the path ahead for his sake and for the sake of God’s children. Amen.- Lynn L. Caruso Prayer by Lynn L. Caruso is from "Honoring Motherhood: Prayers, Ceremonies & Blessings " - Edited with Introductions by Lynn L. Caruso. (c) 2008. Permission granted by SkyLight Paths Publishing, P.O. Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091 www.skylightpaths.com
Tonglen* for Mothers
Tonglen* for Mothers
I breathe in the daily frustrations small as they are, big as they can seem I breath out patience for us all. I breathe in the loneliness of days spent mothering on our own I breathe out connection community, compassion. I breathe in the brokenness not being enough in the world I breathe out wholeness leaving ideals behind, truth. I breathe in the boredom diapers, cooking, same every day I breathe out simple pleasure swings, finger painting, rocks. I breathe in the exhaustion, the worry, the fear I breathe out the calm energy, excitement. I breathe in the rage at your plight, your place, your life I breathe out peace contentment, courage. - DeLona Campos-Davis * Tonglen is a traditional Buddhist practice of compassion. In order to have compassion for ourselves, we cultivate it for others. We take in the difficult parts of mothering, for ourselves and for all mothers and send out compassion and love. Prayer by DeLona Campos-Davis is from "Honoring Motherhood: Prayers, Ceremonies & Blessings " - Edited with Introductions by Lynn L. Caruso. (c) 2008. Permission granted by SkyLight Paths Publishing, P.O. Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091 www.skylightpaths.com