The next time I’m tempted to worry about whether our next paycheck will cover that unexpected medical bill or the higher rent, help me to look at the birds of the air. Help me notice how they don’t reap or gather into barns, because they know You will feed them. These precious creatures are a reminder to me that though You love all You have made, my children and I are even more valuable than they are.
By Heidi St. John, author of Prayers for the Battlefield
A Prayer for the Mom Who Feels Overwhelmed
It’s scary out there, Lord. I want to protect my kids.
It’s comforting to know that You have a plan for the nations and that You have a plan for me and for my children . . . but still.
Fill me with Your powerful Spirit, Lord. Help me to look for opportunities to proclaim Your truth like Paul did. Help me to model what it looks like to run to the roar of the battle with confidence in You alone. Help me to show my children what it looks like to be bold in my defense of Your creation and Your Word.
You are sovereign, and because of Your power over sin and death, I don’t have to be afraid. You said that You are with me and will provide everything I need to live according to Your Word. Thank You, Lord, that we can take refuge in You.
Help me to teach my children that You have a plan—and that it’s good. Remind me of Your unending faithfulness so that I can then remind my children.
The world needs You, Jesus. It needs Your hope, Your change, Your encouragement, Your wisdom. Today, as I head out onto the battlefield, fill me with joy, not timidity. I believe that You have not given me a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and a sound mind. I trust You for every battle that’s ahead.
Praying the Scriptures:
Acts 17:22-28; Isaiah 41:1-20; Psalm 5:11; Jeremiah 29:11; 2 Timothy 1:7
A Prayer for the Mom Who Feels Powerless
Thank You, Lord, for the victory You have secured over Satan and sin. Thank You that because of the sacrifice of Jesus, I don’t have to be a slave to sin any longer. Thank You for forgiveness in Jesus!
Sometimes I forget that You have already completed the work of forgiveness on my behalf, and I am tempted to doubt Your character. When I’m tempted, please remind me that the temptation isn’t from You, for You can’t be tempted by evil, and You don’t tempt anyone. Give me strength to submit myself to You alone. I trust that Your Word is true and that when I resist the devil, he will flee.
Father, I come into Your presence with holy wonder. Your power is beyond my imagining, Your grace is beyond my understanding, and Your love is the most powerful force in all of creation. Help me to not live in fear of an enemy You have already defeated.
There are places in my life where I have allowed the devil to tempt me and even rule over me. At times, I forget that You are bigger than the devil, and I make him bigger in my mind than he is. Please enable me to stand firm against the schemes of the evil one. Help me to put on Your full armor so that I can take my stand against any scheme of the devil.
Help me to trust Your heart, Lord, even in my suffering. Hold me close when the fighting is fierce, even as I hold my children close. I want to paint a picture of Your greatness for my children to see, and I know that they see the picture primarily in the way I live my life.
So, Father, I pray that my life would be lived to bring glory to You—to reflect Your majesty, Your love, Your power, Your forgiveness, Your hope, and Your healing. You have not left me alone in this battle against the evil one. You have equipped me with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Help me to put on the full armor of God so that I can stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
I lift up my eyes to the hills, knowing that my help comes from You.
Praying the Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Romans 8:37; Romans 6:16-18; James 1:13; 4:7; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Psalm 121
A Prayer for the Worried Mom
Father, I’m struggling with worry.
I know You say not to worry, but I can’t seem to help it. Sorrow is everywhere in this world. Terrorism is in my own backyard. Political lines have created tension in my community and even in my church. Lies have permeated the culture. And there are things to worry about closer to home too, like bullies and frenemies (oh, Lord, You know I’ve had a few of those). I confess that worry makes me feel like at least I’m doing something, but in reality, I’m draining myself of the strength that comes from placing my cares at Your feet.
Father, help me to not be anxious about my life, my body, what I’ll eat or drink, or even what I should wear. I want to believe that life is more than food and my body is more than clothing, but my flesh stands in staunch opposition to Your Spirit.
The next time I’m tempted to worry about whether our next paycheck will cover that unexpected medical bill or the higher rent, help me to look at the birds of the air. Help me notice how they don’t reap or gather into barns, because they know You will feed them. These precious creatures are a reminder to me that though You love all You have made, my children and I are even more valuable than they are.
I know I need to take life one day at a time, Lord. But sometimes all the days seem to pile on at once, and I wonder whether Your grace will be enough. Help me to not borrow trouble by worrying about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have enough worries of its own. Jesus, You showed us how to do life best. Help me to not worry about anything, but instead to pray about everything. God, You know my needs already, so I thank You for all You have already done. I want to experience Your peace, which exceeds anything I can understand. I ask that Your peace would guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
I pray that my children would see a mom who is more warrior than worrier, Lord. Help me to guard my heart against the sin of pride, which keeps me from humbling myself before You. I know You care for me and for my family. Help me to cast all my cares on You in full confidence that You are able to carry them.
Your Word says that a tranquil heart is life to the body. I ask for that life today, Lord. Please give me the grace to seek tranquility instead of trouble.
Praying the Scriptures:
Matthew 6:24-34; Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 6:8; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Proverbs 14:30
A Prayer for the Mom in Search of Truth
Help me to love people like You do, Lord.
My children have been born in a confusing time—and I’m often just as confused as they are. Lord, I need You now more than ever. My instinct is to run from topics that confuse or embarrass me, but You have asked me to be Your ambassador in a world that is lost. Would You help me to speak the truth in love? Would you help me to grow more and more like Christ? I want to be an example of truth and love. Let no abusive talk come out of my mouth, but only what is good and helpful for encouraging those who are listening.
I want to speak the truth with boldness and gentleness. You have saved me, Lord! You have given me hope, and because of this hope, I can be bold. Help me to set an example of warrior-like wisdom on this battlefield of deception. But also give me a gentle tongue. Help me to avoid speaking harshly to my children when I see things in their lives that require correction. I know that a soft answer turns away anger, but I confess that I don’t always answer softly. Give me Your softness.
Make me a mother who listens to the concerns and questions my children bring to me. Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Show me the weight my words carry so that I can speak life into my children’s hearts and be a blessing to those I come into contact with. Your words are life, Lord. Let me speak Your words.
Open my eyes to false teaching, and protect my heart from lies that are cleverly disguised as tolerance. Give my children discernment equal to the deception that surrounds them. Show us how to have compassion without compromise.
I am Your servant, Lord. Help me to speak truth without trespassing into the harsh tones of ungrace. Help me reflect Your heart for the world. You loved the world so much that You sent Your only Son to die in our place. Guide me by Your Spirit in every conversation I have with those who don’t know You. You were the best example, the perfect illustration of love and truth lived out for all to see.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Praying the Scriptures:
Ephesians 4:15, 29; Proverbs 25:11-12; Proverbs 15:1; James 1:19; Psalm 19:14
Prayers for the Battlefield by Heidi St. James
Help, hope, and spiritual strength for the mom in the trenches.
Moms today have a lot to handle! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising a family, especially in a culture that’s spiraling away from Christianity at an alarming speed. Yet our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The battle belongs to him, and his strength shines bright when we bring our weaknesses to Him and simply say, “Here. I can’t, but You can.”
Prayers for the Battlefield is a collection of prayers and reflections to help you stay strong through the daily challenges of motherhood. Whether you’re a new mom or a soon-to-be empty nester, Heidi St. John writes Scripture-filled and Spirit-infused prayers for every season of motherhood, helping you raise God-fearing children who will live out their love for Christ and make a difference in our world.
Let God determine the outcome of the battles you’re facing today—because the ultimate victory belongs to him.
