Prayer Guide for R|M Day of Prayer
Dear friends,
While sometimes it can seem like motherhood brings out all our differences, there are moments that highlight how similar we really are. As moms, all of us understand how quickly guilt can overwhelm our feelings, what it's like to feel helpless in our current circumstances, or the sadness loss and longing can bring. While the depth and appearances of our individual stories are different—there is a shared understanding motherhood brings between women. And as we navigate life in this strange time, it seems we are connected in a new way we never could have dreamed of: learning to faithfully mother in the midst of a global pandemic.
Admittedly, none of us know how to do this quite right. Which is why it's an encouragement to remember that ultimately, our “help comes from the Lord” (Ps. 121:2). We can go to him in prayer with confidence, trusting “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
If you're like us, you might be wondering how to help others in the midst of social distancing and stay-home orders. One thing we all can do, even as we're confined to our homes, is to pray for our fellow mothers.
At Risen Motherhood, we'd love for you to join our team for a Day of Prayer for moms across the world who are struggling with various effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday, April 24, once every hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST we want moms to pray for other moms around the world.
What is the R|M Day of Prayer?
Our team has created a Prayer Guide (below) for you to follow throughout the day. For each hour, we’ve identified a group of mothers that we’d like to specifically lift up to the Lord as a community, and we included scripture to guide your time. In the Guide below, you’ll find the prayer prompts and scripture, as well as a guide for personal prayer before you begin the 8 a.m. prompt. You can print out a PDF version here. In addition, we’ll post the prompts on social media (@risenmotherhood) prior to and throughout the day on April 24. Our prompts are only meant as a guide, so feel free to also pray for other groups of moms as the Lord brings them to mind.
Do I need to do anything to prepare?
Not necessarily. If you’d like, you might print out the Prayer Guide to have it available on the counter, on the fridge, or tucked in your pocket. Or you might consider taking a screenshot of the guide that we post on social media. (We’ll post it several times through the week and create a Story archive for it.) Another helpful idea is to set an alarm on your phone to watch for each hour to remind you it’s time to pray.
What if I can’t make the organized times or miss one of the hours?
With a global community, we understand that everyone lives in different time zones. There’s nothing special about the 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. CST selection, so we encourage you to pick your own times to pray. If you miss one of the hours, don’t worry. Just pray when you remember or combine one or a few of the prompts.
What else can I do?
There are many ways to take this Day of Prayer further. Ahead of time, we’d love for you to share about this day on your social media feeds, so mothers who may not follow Risen Motherhood can join. In addition, you can:
Reach out to family and friends, a mom’s group you’re in (online or in your community), or your local church and invite them to pray with you. At the end of the day you could organize a video call to pray together and encourage one another.
Involve your children and/or husband in some of the prayer times. Share with them about the Day of Prayer for moms and let them pray with you.
Ask specific moms in your life for their particular prayer requests. Pray for them by name when the time comes.
Text or email moms you know to let them know how you prayed for them.
Consider fasting. There are many variations of this—fasting from food all day or from one meal, fasting from technology or other things that you typically rely on. Please consider your own health and dietary needs.
Even if you’ve never participated in organized prayer before, we encourage you to join us! As believers, we’re to “pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints” (Eph. 6:18). It doesn’t have to be fancy. You can pray while making breakfast, between homeschool assignments or Zoom calls, and while snuggling before bedtime. If things are busy around you, it’s okay to pray quickly or quietly in your heart.
James tells us that the “prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect” (Jam. 5:16). Together, let’s ask God for mercy and hope for mothers in all walks of life.
The Risen Motherhood Team
Risen Motherhood Day of Prayer
Prayer Guide
April 24, 2022
Begin the Day:
Personal Devotion and Prayer Through Psalm 130
Before you begin praying for other moms throughout the day, we invite you to spend some time praying for your own heart and life, to process with the Lord how the pandemic is impacting you and your family. Begin by reading Psalm 130 and then pray through some or all of the suggested topics that follow.
Psalm 130 | My Soul Waits for the Lord
[1] Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!
[2] O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
[3] If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
[4] But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
[5] I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
[6] my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
[7] O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
[8] And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.
1. Cry Out to the Lord
Tell the Lord about the depths of your struggles with the pandemic. Cry out to him about your hurts, fears, insecurities, and needs.
[1] Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!
[2] O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
2. Confess Your Sin and Give Thanks for Forgiveness
Struggle and suffering often highlights our sin. Confess to the Lord sin that has become evident in your life. Consider sins against others (your husband, children, friends, etc.) and sins against the Lord. Ask him for forgiveness and thank him that he gives it freely through Christ.
[3] If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
[4] But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
3. Reflect on Your Hope
Consider what you’re hoping in as you wait for the pandemic to end. In biblical times, night watchmen eagerly waited for the morning light when they could be relieved of their duty and rest. Even more than that, the psalmist says his soul hopes in the Lord. As you wait and pray for relief from the pandemic, ask the Lord to give you an even deeper hope in his word and presence to sustain you.
[5] I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
[6] my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
4. Remember and Rejoice in God’s Character and Promises
Remember demonstrations of the Lord’s love for his people throughout scripture and in your own life. Rejoice in his promises of love and redemption for his people. Ask him to pour out his steadfast love on you and your family and bring plentiful redemption from this crisis.
[7] O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
[8] And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.
Prayer Throughout the Day:
Moms Praying for Moms; Every Hour, on the Hour
For each group of moms below, you’ll find a scripture verse that you can use to guide your prayer. You might also consider making Psalm 130:7–8 a refrain of prayer throughout the day.
Though we may have different needs depending on our circumstances, we have shared needs as well. Pray that every mom will hope in the Lord, know deeply his steadfast love, and experience his plentiful redemption.
*Note: We acknowledge there are many groups and types of mothers who need prayer during this time. This list is not meant to be exhaustive. Please feel free to pray for other moms or groups of moms as God brings them to mind.
8 a.m.
Moms in your community: Neighborhood, church, and other local contexts.
And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. -Luke 1:58
9 a.m.
Moms around the world: Those living in other states and countries, missionaries, etc.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God. -Psalm 98:3
10 a.m.
Moms on the front lines: Doctors, nurses, retail support workers, etc.
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you. -Psalm 5:11
11 a.m.
Moms who might be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19: Immunocompromised, preexisting conditions, etc.
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! -Psalm 20:1
12 p.m.
Moms with COVID-19 or who have been exposed to the virus.
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. -Matthew 14:14
1 p.m.
Moms who are schooling kids at home, particularly those for the very first time.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. -2 Corinthians 9:8
2 p.m.
Moms with mental illness.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:7
3 p.m.
Moms who are at home with a child who has special needs or health concerns and is away from extra support and services.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10
4 p.m.
Moms who have been laid off or are financially vulnerable.
For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. -Psalm 72:12
5 p.m.
Moms in unsafe or domestic abuse situations.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. -Psalm 91:11
6 p.m.
Moms who are pregnant and/or due to give birth soon.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. -Isaiah 40:11
7 p.m.
Moms who have already or will lose a loved one from COVID-19.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. -Psalm 34:18
8 p.m.
Moms who haven’t trusted Christ for salvation.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. -Romans 10:17
