Seeking the Father as a New Mother
Postpartum. Many things come to mind when your eyes scan that word. Our background, culture, and biological makeup greatly impact how we experience this season. You may be walking into this season as a professional, having done this many times before, or you are, like I was, completely unprepared for what these weeks and months would hold. My prayer is, no matter what your experience is, these liturgies would spur you on to run to your Savior during this season. These moments are so unique. The sleepless nights, hormones, bodily changes, and taking care of a beautiful baby, all culminate to create a space in time that is unlike any other. These liturgies were born out of my own desperation. In the days that followed my daughter's birth I was rocked by deep fear and exhaustion. By the grace of God, He used these moments to drive me to Him. I read a beautiful liturgy in a book titled Every Moment Holy: Edition One, about changing diapers. This sparked a longing in my soul to have more prayers that I could go back to in the moments I was experiencing over and over again. So, out of my own need, I wrote a series of liturgies that I could run to that would direct my wayward heart toward the truth of my great God.
My heart is that these words would give you words when you aren't sure what to say. That the truth in these prayers would help you call truth to mind when everything seems fuzzy. That they would help remind you of God. Because our greatest need is to know God and enjoy him, even in the postpartum season.
If you would like to see these in a printable version please click here.
For those Anxious about Breastfeeding
Heavenly Father, who knows all our needs. As I cradle my precious child, I remember you are holding and sustaining all things. As my body provides the sustenance this little one needs, I submit to your providing care, knowing I cannot ultimately meet the needs of this child. So I commit, not to worry about what they will eat or drink, but instead I will seek first your kingdom and your righteousness Praying that one day, my modeling of a rested soul will spark my baby to place their needs fully in your hands. I believe you care for me and this child, so I refuse to be anxious about what my little one eats.
A Lament for your Postpartum Body
Beautiful God, you are the object of all glory, honor and praise. These days my body is not what it once was. Any false notion I had of glory in my image has been stripped away. But instead of grieving my “loss” Help me see this as an opportunity to realize my purpose as a pointer to your beauty. May the sacrifice my body went through, and the amazing gift that resulted, point me to your forever greater sacrifice and the gift of our salvation. Oh glorious savior, let my joy be in your character and your unconditional love for me, not in my body meeting worldly “standards.”
For the Sleepless Nights
Our Lord who never sleeps or slumbers, As I drag my body out of bed to meet the needs of another, I remember you never hesitate to hear the cries of your people because your eyes are heavy with sleep. In these twilight moments, I am tempted to begrudgingly go through the motions with a heart full of complaints. Help me to instead, see the beauty in the privilege of laying my life down. Give me eyes to see that sacrifice leads to joy because it points to my sacrificing savior. Show me how to humbly do the Fathers will, laying my preferences down, following your glory filled example. May these lonely, dark, and quiet times fill my heart with light, life, and hope because I know they are not wasted. Turn my eyes to see that my sleepy steps of sacrifice are piling up to be a pathway of faithfulness that my little one may one day walk. My heart believes that I am not alone, but am in the constant company of my God, my keeper, who never sleeps or slumbers.
When Fear Grips You
Oh God of all comfort, Something is gnawing at my heart. It started small, but has grown and holds a place in my mind that should be filled by you. I am reminded that you steady my restless soul with your loving hand and attentive ear. Pouring out every small detail and weighty fear, I believe that you listen with patience. Then you tenderly urge me to remember, “I am the God who provides food for every bird, I tell the waves where to stop, I healed the blind, I gave my only Son for your salvation. Can I not be trusted with this worry of yours?” I believe Oh God, help my unbelief. You promise peace that surpasses understanding. While I wait for that to come, I commit to sit under the waterfalls of grace and obey your command to be anxious for nothing. The battle may be constant, long, and weary, but you use every weakness to drive me to your nearness.
For the Pang of Mom Guilt
Patient and just God, I feel in the wrong. Looking behind my shoulder and across the table, I feel a heavy weight that I am failing as a mother, What if there is a better way? Am I missing something? Is this really the wisest option? I can spin this shame into a message from You. But the truth is, you call me to joyful obedience and laughing without fear of the future. You are not glorified when I second guess every decision and desire to be the ‘best’ mom in everyone else’s eyes. Your glory shines brightest when I live in the freedom of my blood bought guiltlessness. Help me, my justifying God, remember my status as a child of yours as I care for this child of mine. Give me true wisdom from above, not the next tid bit to boost my ego. May I be settled in my salvation and reflect to my children that my peace is not found in others opinions, but in the truth that you died so I could live freely. In my Savior’s sanctifying name, amen.
*Some ideas for use:
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Print these out on cardstock, laminate them, and put them on a binder ring. Place the ring where you nurse, change diapers, in the diaper bag, ect.
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Frame them and give them as a gift to a new mother.
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Tape them above the crib to pray as you are rocking and swaying.
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