A Prayer for Moms & Daughters
By Chelsey DeMatteis
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. Ruth 1:16-18
One of the most sacred gifts we received from the Lord is family. Yes, at times it can be difficult, even tumultuous, but in the very same breath, there is nothing like knowing you have someone who is always desiring God’s best for you. Ruth and Naomi are wonderful examples of this. While their mother and daughter relationship came by Ruth's marriage to her Naomi's son, ultimately their relationship grew because they stood firm in the promise to care for and love each other, no matter what. They beautifully lived out leading in truth and loving in truth. We can see from their stories the storms they weathered weren’t easy, but the Lord used these hardships to bring them closer together and ultimately draw them closer to Him.
Today, I want to take a moment to speak to and pray for moms and daughters. I trust that if this prayer is not directly for you, you know a mom or daughter who needs prayer today.
To the heart of a mom - God sees your heart for your daughter. He knows you love her endlessly and want the absolute best for her. He hears the prayers and the cries of your heart you’ve poured out about her life. Though the tensions can feel high and the world's desire for your daughter's heart feels like an endless battle, stand firm in this: God hand-picked YOU to be her mom. God permitted it, willed it, and brought it to fruition for such a time as this. Lead her well by leading her in truth. Love her well by loving her in truth. (1 John 3:18) Know God's Word and pray it over her. Look in her eyes, whisper in her year, and remind her what God says about who she is. Love and lead her straight to the heart of our Creator.
To the heart of a daughter - Trust your mom, she is for you - not against you. She loves you endlessly and wants the best for you. Her discipline comes from the heart of God because He desires wholeness for your life. God hears the cries of your heart and He knows what you’re facing. Though the world may feel heavy, I promise you God is in control - trust His hands and trace His heart through His Word. He is loving, leading, and pursuing your heart through it all. You are loved by God and He wants to use you. Listen, lean in, and surrender. Be bold for the Kingdom; love and honor the truth as you learn what God says. Write it on your heart and be attentive to how He leads you. He will never lead you astray and He will never lead you into sin. He never steps outside of His character or contradicts Himself. When you look at your mom, I pray you see a warrior. She is fighting for you in more ways than you know; for your heart, your mind, and your innocence. Your mom is on the frontlines in prayer over your life, and she is trusting God’s plans for you.
Let's pray:
Lord,
Thank you for the blessing of mothers and daughters, who have the opportunity to work on behalf of the Kingdom of God. Help us as we submit our ways and take up our cross and follow you. Father, help us grow in grace with one another and let us both boldly love each other in deed and in truth.
There are wonderful gifts that come with being a mother and daughter. There is also the potential for great heartache that can come from this relationship too. Lord, Remember help us grow in grace together. Help us live for the Kingdom together and serve one another in the way Christ displays. Though this may not always be easy, help us cling to you through it all.
We love you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
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