Dear Divine Presence, whether it be God, Jesus, Allah, the Universe, or any celestial entity that might lend an ear to my humble plea amidst the chaos of motherhood:
I come before you in earnest, seeking guidance as I endeavor to raise my children. Yes, I might be simultaneously scrubbing dried oatmeal from the carpet, but please don’t confuse my multitasking for a lack of sincerity.
Grant me physical strength today, so that I can carry my four-year-old through the grocery store parking lot while enduring her kicking and screaming about that elusive pony cookie. Aid me in maintaining my composure and emotional endurance to validate her feelings instead of expressing frustration at her dramatic behavior.
During her outburst, I ask for the fortitude to gently restrain her surprisingly strong little arms with compassion, rather than anger. And as she attempts to unleash a roundhouse kick at my face, help me resist the urge to retaliate.
I also require an abundance of patience, more than I need caffeine. I need enough patience to wait for my baby to peacefully drift off to sleep in my arms, as I rock, bounce, nurse, and sometimes even perform squats and lunges to soothe him, despite my tired muscles.
Help me focus on swaying him gently rather than shaking him, because while he is undeniably adorable, there are moments when I feel overwhelmed to the point of contemplating drastic measures just to get him to close his eyes. We are both exhausted, and I ask that, when he finally falls asleep on my sweaty, unwashed body, I embrace that moment rather than wishing for a moment of freedom.
I seek empathy to understand the critical nature of my children’s demands, like needing their sandwiches cut into triangles instead of rectangles, even though they just requested rectangles moments before. Remind me that I, too, often change my mind, though not always with such dramatic flair.
When one of them dashes away from me in a parking lot, grant me the ability to chase them down in my flip-flops, appreciating their independence, even while my post-baby belly jiggles. And when I find my son with toilet paper from the bathroom, please help me manage my gag reflex, as I cannot handle any more mess, including my own.
As my daughter dresses herself in a unique combination of sparkly tights, a tank top over a tiger T-shirt, and a knit beanie, give me the strength to celebrate her creativity rather than worry about future teenage rebellion.
I also ask for the patience to respond kindly to the 602 questions they will pose today, from why cats are called cats to the difference between breasts and nipples. Permit me the wisdom to recognize their curiosity as a sign of their brilliance, even when it tests my sanity.
Instead of criticizing myself for not being a perfect mom, help my inner voice to be kind, even while my outer voice exclaims, “Pick up your toys or they’re going in the trash!” And when one child is gnawing on my face and another is pretending to be a wild animal, grant me the grace of a well-timed glass of wine, as I navigate these chaotic moments.
Assist me in redirecting their loud, playful shrieks into laughter and smiles rather than threats or bribes—especially when they shout inappropriate words in public spaces. And as they create a mess with their food, remind me that their behavior doesn’t define my parenting; they inherited that from their father.
Speaking of him, I ask for love that allows me to shower affection on my husband, even when he complains about being tired after a full night’s sleep. Inspire me to feel desire when he helps with household chores, however rare that may be.
When I gaze at my body, transformed by motherhood and marked by exhaustion, I hope to feel gratitude rather than resentment. Help me appreciate that this body has nurtured our beautiful, albeit ungrateful, children. I realize that one day, I may find myself in a vulnerable state, and I don’t want to jeopardize the relationship we share.
Amen.
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In summary, motherhood is a journey filled with trials and triumphs, requiring strength, patience, and empathy. By embracing the chaos and nurturing our relationships, we can navigate this beautiful yet challenging path.
Keyphrase: Motherhood prayer
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