10 Christian Mothers Who Set Godly Examples

1. Mary, the mother of Jesus

Jesus' mother Mary is certainly one of the most famous (if not the most famous) mothers of all time. She was thrust into motherhood without much preparation, yet she accepted the task with grace and humility. These qualities are surely main reasons why God chose her to be the mother of His Son! 

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2. Perpetua

Perpetua was a woman who lived with her husband and baby boy in North Africa in the third century A.D. During this time in history the Roman Emperor was cracking down on Christians and Christianity. Perpetua was arrested and imprisoned for her faith. Though she had a young child, she refused to deny her faith and was killed in a Roman arena. She remains a brave example of a Christian mother.

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3. Susanna Wesley

Susanna Wesley had 19 children, including John and Charles Wesley, who are famous for founding Methodism and writing many beloved Christian hymns. Although she endured many hardships throughout her life, including being deserted for a time by her husband and grieving over the death of several of her children, Susanna maintained a strong faith in God and showed that example to her children.

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4. Mary Washington

Mary Ball Washington was the mother of America's first president, George Washington. Her husband died when George Washington was 10 years old, so Mary raised George and her other children as a single mother. She relied on the Lord to do so. She was very committed to prayer and would often go to a particular spot she had to quietly pray to God for her children. George Washington is even credited with saying, “All that I am I owe to my mother.”

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5. Abigail Adams

Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams, America's second president. While John's work in Congress and all he did to make the birth of the new nation possible is to be commended, we shouldn't forget the important role Abigail played. It is said that "Behind every great man is a great woman," and this is certainly true of Abigail Adams. She and her husband shared many, many letters of correspondence that testify to her commitment to her husband, her five children, and her country.

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6. Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth, born Isabella Baumfree, escaped slavery with her infant daughter. Afterward, she went to court to get her son back, and amazingly, she won her case. She went on to become an advocate not only for her children but for African Americans who were suffering in slavery as well as for women who often faced discrimination. She took the name "Sojourner Truth" because she believed God was leading her on a journey "testifying the hope that was in her."

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7. Morrow Graham

While we've all probably heard of Billy Graham and his son Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's mother, Morrow Coffey Graham, was a huge influence in making the Graham family what we know them as today. Billy Graham has said that no one influenced him more for the Lord than his mother. Morrow Graham regularly gathered her family for Bible study and prayer, and she and her husband would pray for Billy every morning.

Photo courtesy: The Billy Graham Library

8. Mother Teresa

Although Mother Teresa was not a mother in the biological sense, she was certainly a mother to thousands in a spiritual sense. Her commitment to missionary work among the poorest in India is a wonderful example of caring for the least of these and nurturing those in need in the name of the Lord, both of which are some of the greatest motherhood traits!

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9. Elisabeth Elliot

Elisabeth Elliot was a missionary with her husband, Jim Elliot, to a remote tribe of Indians in Ecuador. Her husband, along with four other missionaries, were killed on the mission field by those they came to evangelize. Elisabeth was left with her 10-month-old daughter, Valerie. Instead of giving up and going home, however, Elisabeth stayed on the mission field with her daughter and through her perseverance, God opened a door for many people of this hostile tribe to come to faith! Elisabeth went on to write many noteworthy books on the Christian life, especially ones about purity and womanhood.

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10. Candace Cameron Bure

Candace Cameron Bure is the only mother on this list who is alive today. Candace is a Christian mom, actress, and media personality. She is a great example of how to prioritize family while still pursuing a career and using that career to reflect her faith. Candace is married to hockey player Valeri Bure and the couple has three children together. When she is not with her family, she is starring in family entertainment films on the Hallmark channel or GAC television.

Information on Susanna Wesley, Mary Washington, and Morrow Graham was taken from "Mothers: Changing History Through Prayer" by Sharon Glasgow.

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Publication date: April 28, 2017