A Liturgy When Breastfeeding Isn’t Going as Planned
Editor’s Note: A liturgy is a script, pattern, or rhythm meant to focus our hearts and lead them to worship. For the mom in a difficult place today, we hope the words below might be used to remind you of God’s presence in every moment. Consider praying them silently or aloud, posting them in a place you’ll regularly reference, using them as a springboard for journaling, or talking through them with a friend. For more liturgies on a variety of real-life topics and emotions, visit our friends over at EveryMomentHoly.com.
Sustaining God,
meet me here, in this place
of great insecurity.
When I fear that my body
simply cannot provide
the nourishment necessary
for the life of my child,
let me remember
that this little one
entrusted to my arms,
is even more your
beloved child
than mine.
So steady my troubled heart
in this moment. Let me find peace
in the promise of your provision.
For you are the one
who will provide for this child,
supplying their every need,
not only in this hour,
but throughout their life.
I am but one of the many means
by which your love will be lavished
upon them, and your bounteous goodness
expressed to them.
The flourishing of this child
does not rest upon my small shoulders
but upon your unwavering strength, O Christ.
You know our physical limitations this day.
Our struggle is no surprise to you, nor
is it beyond your ability to address.
Let me take solace in that.
The feeding of this child might not go
the way I hoped or planned, but even
my frustration at my own limitations
becomes yet another invitation
to rest my soul more wholly in you.
O God Who Sustains All Life,
now reassure me in my distress.
You have given this child into my
stewardship, and you have given me
so many gracious means by which
to comfort and shelter them.
Now give me wisdom to know
how best to meet their needs
at any given time.
I pray you would enable
this precious infant to easily
feed at my breast. But if
that is not to be—at least not
for now, in this hour—then let me
find other fruitful means by which
to nourish them, even as you
so tenderly nourish me, O Lord.
God, my comfort,
embrace me when I feel alone.
Spirit, my strength,
embolden me when I am afraid.
Christ, my shepherd,
guide me when I am dismayed,
for I also am
your beloved child.
Amen.
Every Moment Holy, Volume III (Rabbit Room Press, 2023)
copyright 2023 by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
Used with permission
