3 Prayers for the Struggling Mama

Stand up if you’ve ever said, “The struggle is real!”. No truer words have ever been spoken and every parent knows it, especially the single moms. I have been a single mother for three years now and I'll tell you, even truer than "the struggle is real" is "the struggle is daily". Its so true that its funny. It's almost so funny you could cry.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHELPMEHAHAHAHAHA!!! LOL!!!

Moms have to be able to cope with the struggles of life and persevere in tough moments. Everyone does. The hardest times for me is when I'm drained. Drained from parenting solo, drained from working multiple jobs, drained from dating (which I'm giving up in this year. Jesus can absolutely take that wheel.), just TIRED on so many levels. Soul tired. But there is relief in self care and relief in community. God always provides rest, but the key is to seek Him. The scripture says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

Now, if you're an excellent Christian and spend daily time with God, maybe you're thinking, 'How much more could I seek God?' Well, quantity may not be the thing you need to focus on. Perhaps it's quality that your'e missing. Hear me out on this. God likes specificity on our needs, aches, goals, frustrations and hopes. When you're deeply specific with God it tells Him, in action, that you trust Him fully with every detail. Not that you expect Him to provide it exactly as you envision, but that you recognize the freedom to share deeply and personally with God. Also, sharing the ugly parts of your weariness is a part of 'casting your cares' on Him. I'm talking about those terrible thoughts that you would never say aloud because you don't really mean them but the stress and burdens of life make you FEEL them. You know? Or is that just me?

Either way, it is something to consider, if you aren't finding adequate rest for your soul. In the case, that there are moments when you feel too overwhelmed to grasp the words to talk with God, here are some prayers to try.

God,

This is heavy. I feel worn out.

My mind is clouded by life.

I am filled with negative emotion.

Fill me with Your peace.

I lay myself before Your throne.

Make Your thoughts my thoughts.

I am reaching out for Your hand, Lord.

I invite You to rule in my heart in every

moment, especially right now as I deal

with...

---

Lord,

You know my every need.

You see me when I feel alone.

Your word says to come to You

when I am weary and carrying

the burdens of life. I am in that

moment right now. Shield me

from the lie that You are far from

me. I know You work great things

in the midst of trials. Help me lean

into You right now. Wrap me in Your

love so that fear and stress flee from

me. I draw my strength from You today

as I struggle with...

---

Father,

I am in a moment that is hard to

get my arms around. What I am

am facing, is crushing me. Help

me see You and Your goodness

right here, right now. Do not let

me be overtaken by this one small

moment. Strengthen me with Your

mighty power. I claim Your promise

that You will never leave me nor

forsake me. I will not be discouraged,

instead I come before You with my

weariness and lay down my weakness

so that I am made strong in You. I rely on

You for deliverance in this moment from...

Amen.

I pray your spirits stay lifted in the low moments, that you always seek God before giving up and that you be strengthened to persevere until the very end. May you come out of each trial a winner, with deeper faith, a sound mind, a steadfast spirit and the hope found in overwhelming peace. Selah.