Families With Grace

Helping Christian moms create homes filled with grace, love & faith

Are you trying to fix everything?

A devotional for moms who struggle to surrender control

“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’”

Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)

Preschoolers tend to go through a phase of wanting to help with everything. For example, when my kiddos were that age and I was baking something, they usually wanted to help.

But, if I’m honest, their “help” usually was less than helpful. It made the task longer and messier.

Sometimes I think I do that with God. I see a situation or problem and act like a preschooler, “I’ll help!”

Then I make a bigger mess and the process takes longer than intended. I’m thankful God has way more patience that I do.

I’m also thankful that when He is our helper, He is truly helpful. In fact, He is the best helper. Not only does He love us so completely but He knows the future and knows what we need, even when it’s different from what we want.

All too often we forget that. We try to be like a preschooler and insist on doing things our way. We want to be independent and solve problems.

Just like my kids would often find in our baking endeavors, however, we need someone in charge who sees the big picture and can help us get through it.

If I left my preschool children in charge of baking on their own, it wouldn’t have turned out well. With my help, we created all sorts of yummy from homemade granola to delectable brownies.

Let’s take a step back and remember to let God help us rather than us try to help Him. Then we can enjoy the delicious fruit of our labor in full.

Prayer:

Dear God, please forgive me for trying to take matters into my own hands instead of trusting you. I ask that you help me in every part of my life. Open my eyes to see where I’m trying to hold onto control and help me give control to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hebrews 13:6
A prayer to give God control

Finding peace in every stage of motherhood

God’s presence through baby giggles to teen talks

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

You know how when you are exhausted with a newborn or toddler and someone looks at you and says something like, “You’re going to miss this”? That always made me want to smack them. (And the Holy Spirit kept me in check to just give them a wry smile instead of a wallop.)

But – and it pains me to say this – this sentiment is pretty true. I do miss some parts of motherhood to babies and toddlers. I miss the version of themselves that my kids were back then even while enjoying the version of themselves they are right now.

However, I don’t miss everything. I remember the struggles and exhaustion. I’m OK with letting those slip into the past.

Through every single phase of motherhood, I have had moments of pure enjoyment and moments of pure stress. Yet in all times and every way, God has also been right there with me.

I remember talking to Him and pleading for help to get my baby boy to sleep because I was so utterly exhausted I couldn’t go on. I also remember praising Him for that same baby boy giving me his first smiles.

Sometimes in the fray of motherhood, it can be hard to see and feel the peace of God. In fact, sometimes we long for literal peace.

I do know, however, that one day I’ll miss this phase of parenthood just like I sometimes miss the others that have come before. Our children and parenting them is constantly changing.

Our Heavenly Father, though, is constantly faithful and true. In the midst of whatever phase we find ourselves in right now, we can trust He is with us.

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to see you in the phase of motherhood I’m in right now. Give me presence of mind to really soak in and be present in this stage of my children’s lives. Fill me with your peace when I get overwhelmed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

2 Thessalonians 3:16
A prayer for overwhelmed moms

Trusting God in the chaos of mom life

God provides—even in the middle of meal plans, laundry piles, and to-do lists

“’Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?’”

Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV)

Something I didn’t expect in motherhood and that no one warned me about ahead of time was how much my life would revolve around food and clothes.

It started in pregnancy as I paid attention to what I should and shouldn’t eat. I also had to figure out what clothes were going to work for my changing body.

Then when my children arrived, I had to figure out food and clothing for them. Food and clothes have remained constant even now my children are older.

Meals need to be made, groceries need to be bought, laundry needs to be done, clothes that are too small need to be purged, clothes that fit for the coming season need to be bought. And on the list goes!

I know life is more than this as a mother. There are so many other facets of motherhood I never expected and have knocked me off my feet – in positive ways.

The way I can look at my teenager daughter and get a glimpse of her toddler self. Or the way my son smiles at me just when I need it most.

These are some of what keep me going in motherhood. I don’t need to focus on all the to-dos and worry about all of it. I just need to learn to relax in God as a mom, as a woman, as a person.

I can trust that He will take care of us and do a much better job than I could ever do on my own.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for providing for me. I can get so caught up in the worries and struggles of life that I often miss seeing the good parts. Take my stress and fears. Open my eyes to see more of you and your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Matthew 6:26-27
A prayer for peace in the chaos

House cleaning tips for moms (with a FREE deep cleaning challenge)

A real look at cleaning with kids at home

If you’d have told me a decade ago that I’d write about house cleaning tips, I’d have laughed in your face.

Back then, I had a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old, and I was struggling to keep up with the bare minimum.

These days, those babies are now in middle and high school. Through the years, I’ve learned a few things that work from my mom and from my own experiences.

(Find the link for the free 4-week deep cleaning challenge at the bottom of the post.)

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Why a clean house is more peaceful

When my house is a mess, I feel guilty. And when I feel guilty, I get grumpy.

And when I get grumpy, I’m more inclined to snap at my family for small things.

The other option is jumping into a pit of self-pity and sadness that I’m not better at cleaning my house.

I feel more pressure than my husband to keep our house clean and more embarrassment when it isn’t. I interpret our messy house as my own personal failure.

You’d think that would make me an excellent housekeeper. But it doesn’t.

House cleaning quote about the pressure of keeping a clean house that moms feel

Instead of doing something about it, many times I just beat myself up. I have had literally years at a time where I couldn’t do better for a variety of reasons and still berated myself over it.

However, I have learned some things through the years, and I’m going to share them with you in case you aren’t one of those rare folks who love to clean.

I don’t offer a detailed cleaning plan. I’ve tried those, and they stress me out and make me feel worse about all that I’m NOT doing. Instead, I’m offering real-life tips that have helped my family. 

Most of these are inspired by my mom who not only is an excellent housekeeper but truly enjoys cleaning. (I know. It’s weird to me, too!)

Employ the ABC method: Always Be Cleaning

One of my best tips is ABC: Always Be Cleaning. That might sound like a nightmare to you, because it certainly would have to the me of a couple years ago. But, hear me out.

My mom’s strategy is to clean as she goes so there isn’t a big mess to deal with later. It sounds simple, and it really is.

I do things like wipe down my kitchen sink after washing dishes (which takes an extra 60 seconds at most).

Deal with the mail immediately after bringing it in so it doesn’t end up on the countertop for days.

I wipe down the bathroom counter after I finish getting ready. Most of the time, I just use my wet washcloth from washing my face.

I pull up the covers on my bed as soon as I get up, so the bed is mostly made.

I’ve learned a lot of these tasks take a short amount of time. Seriously in 30 seconds, I can do a quick wipe of my bathroom countertop. I can unload the dishwasher in less than 5 minutes.

Keep cleaning supplies handy

If you’re going to always be cleaning, then you need cleaning supplies where you use them.

When we moved into a two-story house a few years ago, I knew myself and knew I’d either forget to bring cleaning supplies up or down the stairs or find it easy to procrastinate if they weren’t in easy reach.

So I buy enough for each location. Each bathroom has disinfecting wipes and toilet bowl cleaner. I do share glass cleaner between them.

The kitchen sink has disinfecting wipes and vinegar. I buy smaller bottles of vinegar, so I have separate vinegar bottles for upstairs.

I know this doesn’t sound ground-breaking to many people, perhaps. But it has made a difference for me.

For example, earlier this week I realized that I hadn’t yet cleaned the half bathroom downstairs and needed to. On my stop by there before going to pick up the kids from school, I cleaned the toilet in a minute. Later I wiped down the sink.

And those are the biggest areas that need weekly cleaning in there, so it worked well. If the supplies were even just around the corner in the pantry (a few steps away!), I know I wouldn’t have done that. And, quite honestly, I probably STILL wouldn’t have done it even now a couple of days later.

Cleaning isn’t all or nothing

Previously I’ve had the idea that if I can’t clean everything then I don’t even want to start.

However, I have been timing myself on doing tasks and realize that in a few minutes, I can accomplish a lot. And the things that need cleaned most don’t take all that long.

I can spend five minutes cleaning my bathroom and feel much better afterward. Yes, it still needs to be deep cleaned and floors mopped and such, but every little step counts.

Finding hours to devote to any one task is difficult. Being able to physically spend hours cleaning my house is basically impossible nowadays.

I’ve changed my mindset from doing it all or nothing to doing what I can when I can. Now I almost see it as a challenge to see how much I can get done in a set amount of time like 15 minutes.

And I’ve been shocked at how much I really CAN do quickly. (I also find more motivation to clean or straighten up if I have a time limit. I can endure cleaning for 5 to 30 minutes!)

Embrace the right cleaning products 

Sometimes it’s about working smarter and not harder. From my mom, I learned vinegar can power through hard water spots and build-up anywhere. It’s a cheap and easy solution to cleaning things!

In my years of having a smooth-top stove, I’ve learned the absolute best cleaner for getting cooked in spots off is a mixture of baking soda and water. The grit in the baking soda, helps gently remove things.

I make a bit of a paste of with it and get to work. It works better than stovetop cleaners.

Another favorite cleaning product of mine is Dawn Power Spray. It’s great for messy pans and also for pretreating laundry. I’ve had spots on clothes coming out of the dryer, Dawn Power Spray-ed them, and they came clean.

And for very specific messes, I’ve found solutions as well. If you need to get Silly Putty or slime out of fabric, rubbing alcohol will help it come out with minimal scrubbing effort needed.

If you have blood in fabric, dab some hydrogen peroxide (undiluted) onto the spot, let it fizz, then wash like usual and it will come clean. In fact, I keep a spray bottle of peroxide in my laundry room for this very reason.

Enlist help

Throughout my adult life, my physical health has taken a hit many times. And with chronic health conditions, sometimes it takes a beating and I can’t do things.

So I have learned to ask for help and be willing to accept it. My kids have their own bathroom. They’re required to clean it once a week. They divide the tasks.

I gave them a lesson on exactly what I want them to do and how to do it. They don’t always clean as well as I do, but I do check in on their progress and have had them redo things.

And it still is helping both me and them! One of these days they’ll have their own bathrooms to clean.

In different stages of my kids’ lives, they’ve been able to help in various ways. While we don’t assign specific chores most of the time, we do expect them to help when we ask. They both are good to do just that.

Kids can do things like wipe down the table, sweep the floor, take out the trash, empty the dishwasher, fold laundry (folding washcloths and pairing up socks are great starting places), put away their belongings and more.

I will say, one nice thing about kids getting older is they are able to take on more responsibilities. Just the other night, I had a few pans to wash after dinner.

My husband tasked the kids with doing that, so I could sit down — and it was really nice to do that!

Don’t procrastinate 

I’m not usually a procrastinator by nature, but I can be very good at overlooking things that need to be taken care of or put away. Very good!

I try to make sure that I’m putting things away when I’m finished with them. But in that mindset, I’m also trying to make sure that each item in our house has a home.

If I get derailed from putting something away immediately, then I make a conscious effort to take care of it next time I come across it.

Along with putting things away, I try not to procrastinate when it comes to dishes and laundry.

There are ALWAYS dishes and laundry. But, I’ve worked to simplify as much as I can.

Staying on top of the dishes

I have arranged my kitchen around my dishwasher. So the things I use most often are stored right above the dishwasher or within a couple of steps.

I can empty the dishwasher in five minutes or less and usually make myself do it the next time I am working in the kitchen (which is quite often with kids!) or ask one of my kiddos or husband to unload it.

House cleaning tips for moms overwhelmed with cleaning and laundry

I’ve also worked to be practical. My kids take their lunch to school everyday. I have enough lunch containers for two days worth of cold lunches for both kids.

That gives me two days to wash the containers in the dishwasher instead of by hand, which saves me time. If I throw in a day of hot lunch in their hot Thermos, then that helps even more.

I also have to add that I intentionally buy dishwasher safe items to make life easier and not have to wash as many things by hand.

Managing the laundry

And then there’s laundry. While I’m not as fast as my mom who folds and puts her away immediately, I definitely make an effort to deal with it in the same day.

My washer and dryer are on the second story in the middle of the bedrooms, so that really helps. We keep two laundry baskets for dirty things at all times in the laundry room: one for darks and one for whites.

I keep two additional baskets for my husband and me. One for clothes in our closet and another for towels and whites in our bathroom closet.

I can easily see when a basket is full and a load of laundry need to be thrown in. It helps keep me from getting as overwhelmed with load after load of laundry all at once.

Another bonus is that I have a set amount of laundry baskets and I have to make sure to keep laundry folded and put away so we can use the baskets as needed. (I do keep a spare one, though. I’m not THAT good!)

My handy husband also hung me a nice bar in the laundry room so I can hang up clothes straight from the dryer. If I hang up most of our pants and shirts, then I don’t have as much work to do with folding either.

As my kids have gotten older, they’ve been more involved in the whole process. My daughter now does her own laundry, which is sometimes a challenge to make sure her laundry is getting processed in and out of the washer and dryer.

They can switch out laundry, hang up clothes and fold laundry. Usually one evening a week, we’ll have a “laundry folding party” and spend about 15 or 20 minutes in my bedroom folding laundry together.

Give yourself grace 

This is my final tip. No matter what systems I have in place, no matter how much progress I’ve made, I’m not perfect and I’m not going to be.

Life is going to get in the way. My health will flare for a week. My kids will get sick. Things happen.

I have learned to not beat myself up if I get out of routine and don’t clean my bathroom this week. It doesn’t mean I’m never going to get back on track. I will, and I do.

Can I say that in the past I was just a total slob and wasn’t doing my best? No way. I really was doing my best.

There are some seasons of life where it’s easier to clean than others. Having babies and toddlers make cleaning a huge challenge.

Going through physical and/or mental struggles makes cleaning a huge challenge.

Doing the best you can? Then it’s enough. Don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect or having the perfect home!

A reminder for moms to enjoy their families more than they focus on cleaning and making everything perfect

Here’s the thing: I’m never going to transform into someone who loves cleaning. (At least I will be shocked if I do!)

I won’t ever keep as spotless of a house as my grandma or my mom. But, that’s OK.

I try to be realistic in my goals and work for what makes my family and me the happiest. We are all happier when we have clean dishes and clothes.

We are all happier when there aren’t piles of papers all over the table we have to clean off every time we want to eat a meal.

We are all happier to go into a bathroom that smells fresh and doesn’t have weeks of build-up.

However, my family life isn’t going to dissolve into chaos if I let clean dishes sit in the dishwasher for 24 hours or a load of towels stay in the dryer for a couple of days.

I do my best, but I also remember my priorities. I don’t want to be so busy taking care of my family and my home that I don’t remember to enjoy my family.

Take the 4-Week Deep Cleaning Challenge

Get a jumpstart on house cleaning with this free 4-Week Deep Cleaning Challenge from Families with Grace!

It’s divided into four weeks with seven tasks each week as well as space to write in your own items. There are also some tips and encouraging verses to keep you motivated!

Deep Cleaning Challenge download

Encouragement for Christian moms struggling with self-doubt

Letting go of lies and stepping into God’s truth

“The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”

Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)

As someone who has often struggled with self-confidence, I have marveled at others who are confident. They walk into a room with their heads held high and talk to others. They share their opinions and stories.

Basically, they are at peace with who they are and they own who they are. I’m not so great at that, to be honest.

For years, in fact, I realized I was struggling against the lie that nobody wanted to hear what I had to say. As a naturally quiet person, it was easy for me to keep to myself in many ways.

I didn’t necessarily realize that was the lie I was believing until God opened my eyes. Because sometimes we get stuck in our heads. We start believing truths that just aren’t true.

When that happens, we aren’t living in peace. We’re living in anxiety, stress, fear, discontentment and awkwardness.

That’s not God’s intention for us. He intends for us to live in peace and as a result have a quiet confidence that comes from Him.

If we are so full of God that He is shining out of us, then we can live out our truth in confidence. I may not always have self-confidence, but I do always have God-confidence.

Prayer:

Dear God, I ask you to fill me with your peace and righteousness. Fill me up with you so that I can walk in your confidence, especially when my own confidence is struggling. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Isaiah 32:17
A prayer for overcoming self-doubt

Forgiving those who hurt our kids (A devotion for moms)

Learning to forgive when your mama bear instincts kick in

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:13-14 (NIV)

We talk about forgiveness a lot in the Christian community – and it makes sense. The Bible tells us time and again to forgive others as God as forgiven us.

And from a mental wellness standpoint, I also know the benefits of forgiveness. Carrying around hard feelings toward someone else is only hurting ourselves.

While I’d like to think I’ve made progress at forgiving others and am doing well with it, one area of struggle for me is forgiving those who have wronged my children.

That’s hard for us moms, isn’t it? Our inner mama bear can’t help but come out when we see our children hurt or wronged.

We want to fight. We want to defend and retaliate. Though we should most definitely stand up for and advocate for our children, we don’t want to get caught up in holding grudges and not forgiving.

The truth is, I don’t think I can do this on my own in some situations with some people. So that’s where love comes in. I need God to pour His love into me to ease my anger and frustration so I can let it go, forgive and move on.

What are you holding onto today that it’s time to let go? Ask God to pour into you so you can let go and move forward.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for forgiving me. I ask that you pour your love into me so that I can forgive others – even when they have hurt those I love. Show me how to move forward. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Colossians 3:13-14
A prayer for forgiving others

Letting go of mom worry

Trusting God with your children

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Even if you aren’t predisposed to anxiety (as some of us are!), motherhood can certainly bring it out in you.

As a child, I remember seeing overprotective moms on television sitcoms telling their child to be careful with a stick or he might poke out his eye. I thought it was silly and over the top.

Then I became a mom. A stick! You can do a lot of damage with that!

We want so much to protect these people who God has given us charge over. We want them to be safe and secure and have all the things they need. All of that leads to worry and anxiety.

It starts at the very beginning of their lives and continues. I’d guess it continues your entire lifetime as a mom, no matter the age of your children. The worries change and evolve, but they are always present.

But God didn’t create us to be filled with worry and anxiety. He knows that our natural tendencies, especially as mamas. So many times, He reminds us to just trust Him.

This verse from 1 Peter says it succinctly. We can turn our anxiety over to Him because He loves us.

Just as we don’t want our own children to worry, God doesn’t want us to worry. We can trust that just like we take care of our kiddos and make sure they are safe, so is He taking care of us and them as well. That’s something we can rest in today.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for caring for me enough to take my anxiety. Help me to turn my worries and fears over to you and rest in your goodness today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Peter 5:7
A prayer for letting go of mom worry

Hope in the hard seasons: Trusting God for new beginnings

Even in the wilderness, God creates streams of hope and renewal

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Sometimes what we need most is the hope of a new beginning. I’ve had seasons in my life that were hard and exhausting. Yet, none of them have lasted forever. They always come to an end.

The changes may take longer than we’d like. But God is faithful and making a way through all the struggle and hard times.

As moms, the hardest times are when our children are suffering. Recently, both of my children had health issues at different times that we were at a loss to diagnose and treat.

I’d spent years in such a situation myself, but that didn’t cut me to the core like it did when my children were going through it themselves.

My love for my children is vast and deep. Somehow, God loves us even more than that. When we are struggling, He must surely ache for us. We can rest in His love and trust He is making a way through the struggle, even when we can’t see our way past or through it.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for always being with me in the struggle. Give me hope and encouragement to keep going. I trust that you have a plan for my life and for my good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Isaiah 43:18-19
A prayer for hard times

88 Powerful prayers for your family

The power of praying for those you love

More than anything we can do for our family, praying for them is the most powerful of all. We cannot be with our family members at all times, but God can. And these prayers for your family are a great place to start.

Prayers for your family Pinterest image 1

With prayers for everyone from yourself as a Christian mom to your husband to your children and even recent graduates, you’ll find prayers to get you started in bringing your family before God.

Prayers for moms

When we talk about praying for our loved ones and family, we often overlook ourselves. But, the truth is the more we are connected with God, the better we can pour into our families.

These prayers will help you remember to lift yourself up to your Heavenly Father.

Prayers for overwhelmed moms

Being a mom is so incredibly awesome, but it’s also draining and hard. And sometimes we are just plain overwhelmed.

It’s easy to get weary and overwhelmed when we are looking out for the needs of our families. On the days when I feel like there’s nothing left for or of myself, I struggle sometimes to even know what to pray beyond help!

I know God hears and understands our prayers, no matter how long or short they are. The Bible also tells us in Romans 8:26-27 that the Holy Spirit brings our needs to God when we can’t.

However, I also know the power of prayer and how praying based on Scripture can help me refocus on God to get peace and strength from Him when I need it most.

These seven Scripture-based prayers for overwhelmed moms are perfect for those days and times when you don’t have the words on your own.

Prayers for overwhelmed moms Pinterest image 1

Pocket prayers for moms

Finding quiet time in motherhood is challenging. Having these seven short prayers for mothers on hand can help us stay connected to God in the midst of busy family life.

These simple and powerful prayers for mothers are ones you can pray for yourself and for the other moms in your life. From new moms to seasoned moms, we all need prayer. 

Motherhood challenges you physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. I like to say motherhood is neither for the faint of heart nor the weak of composition!

But, I’m thankful for a God who understands and knows that. Our Heavenly Father is right there in the midst of motherhood with us. As much as we love our babies, He loves them – and us! – even more. We can lean on Him during the easy times and the difficult ones.

Short prayers for mothers Pinterest image 8

Prayers for your children

As Christian moms, praying for our children is incredibly important. We cannot always be with them, but we can trust completely that God is with them regardless.

Start with these prayers for inspiration and encouragement to lift up your children before God.

Prayers for your school-aged children

When I was pregnant with each of my children, I prayed for them. Now that they are here, I continue to pray for them.

But sometimes, I can get a bit stuck in a prayer rut. I can find myself praying for my kids in the same ways or about immediate needs of theirs. However, I want to be intentional about praying for all aspects of their lives and their futures.

These 14 intentional prayers for your children can make a big difference to help your children stay on the right path.

Prayers for school children Pinterest image 8

Prayers for your graduates

Graduation is a time when new grads and their families look forward to the future and what comes next. For Christian moms, dads and grads, seeking out Bible verses and prayers for guidance and encouragement is important.

These seven Bible verses and 14 prayers are ideal for graduation. You can use them in a graduation card, at a graduation celebration, in a graduation speech or wherever you can think of.

Each graduation Bible verse also includes two prayers: one to pray about the graduate and one for the graduate to pray. You can pray these prayers or use them as inspiration for a graduation card message.

Graduation Bible verses Pinterest image 6

Prayers for your husband

Of all the things we can do as Christian wives, praying for our husbands is one of the most important. I see my husband’s challenges and struggles more than anyone else in the world — as it should be.

Because of that, I can pray specific prayers for my husband and perhaps even prayers he doesn’t think to pray for himself.

Turning to Scripture can help us know what to pray for our husbands. The Bible reassures us that we can know God hears what we ask of Him (1 John 5:15). And that makes it all the more important to make sure you pray for your husband.

You can pray these eight Scripture prayers for your husband to meet his needs at work and in your marriage while also asking for protection and blessings for him.

Powerful Prayers for Your Husband Pinterest image 1

Prayers for your faith

Sometimes we go through situations in life that we need specific prayer for. Other times, we need more general prayers related to our faith.

These prayers work in specific situations or to help you grow in your Christian walk.

Prayers for God’s love

As mamas, we want the love of God to flow through us and into the lives of our families and others around us. In order for that to happen, though, we must fully embrace and live in God’s love.

These 10 powerful prayers for God’s love are Scripture-based and a great way to get started in resting in the love of our Heavenly Father.

10 Bible-based prayers to experience God's love from Therapy for Christians

Prayers in a season of waiting

Waiting goes against human nature. In a world filled with instant gratification, times of waiting often feel excruciating. 

And waiting on God isn’t any different. We pray and seek Him. We call on others to pray. 

Yet, sometimes He doesn’t move in a way we can see. Waiting on God’s timing can feel hopeless. But the good news is that it isn’t.

I find hope in knowing God has never let me down or forgotten me. From times of needing patience in my own life, I’ve put together these five prayers for seasons of waiting.

Prayer for patience while waiting Pinterest image 4

And I’m not the only one who has struggle with waiting and praying through the waiting. Whether you’re in a short season of waiting or a long season of waiting, these five prayers for patience while waiting will also help you stay focused on God during the wait.

5 Prayers for patience while waiting from Hope Filled Faith

Prayers for joy

Joy isn’t something we celebrate as a culture, especially in motherhood culture. Joy seems like a nice concept, but not something to work for. 

Yet God’s Word tells us that joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit. In fact, it’s one a Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23

While joy can be hard to find on our own, we can utilize prayers for joy based on Scripture. These seven prayers are designed specifically for Christian moms to find the gift of joy in the midst of motherhood.

Prayers for joy in the Bible Pinterest image 7

Prayers for when you’re afraid

So much joy and goodness comes with motherhood, but so does a lot of fear. I have been more afraid and anxious for my children than I ever have for myself — and as someone who struggles with anxiety, that’s saying a lot.

The fears start with pregnancy: am I doing everything right? Did the baby move enough today?

And they continue once the baby is born: will he ever sleep through the night? Did she get enough milk?

On and on they go through each phase of motherhood. Yet, God has not called us to live with a spirit of fear.

These 10 prayers against fear will help you find strength and peace in God when your fear starts to get th best of you.

Prayers against fear from Therapy for Christians

Prayer prompts for every day of the year

As you are growing in your walk with God and your prayer life, sometimes you just need some prayer prompts to get your prayers flowing.

Hope Filled Faith has 365 prayer prompts for every single day of the year that are perfect for this.

365 Prayer prompts from Hope Filled Faith

31 Bible verses about finding peace (with a free reading plan!)

Encouraging Scriptures about peace for Christian moms

Ah, peace. As new moms, peace is something we dream about in the midst of crying babies and screaming toddlers.

Yet, Biblical peace is so much more than that. It’s about letting go over the overwhelm and anxiety and living in communion with God.

And there are so many Bible verses about finding peace that inspire us to seek God’s peace for our daily lives. This is exactly the kind of peace we want to cultivate in our homes and in our hearts.

If you’re longing for more peace as a mom – and who isn’t?! – these Bible verses about peace will encourage you. They’re more than just words on a page; they’re God’s promises for us as we navigate motherhood.

Let’s dive into some key Scriptures that teach us how to find and live in peace.

Trusting God for peace

Peace begins with God. As we live with Him, we have greater peace. These verses remind us of the importance for us Christian moms to stay connected to God for peace.

Isaiah 26:3-4

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)

When we put our full trust in God, we can experience His perfect peace. Our circumstances may shift, but God remains steady and unchanging. By keeping our focus on Him, we can find lasting peace even in uncertain times.

Practical tips

  • Start your day by meditating on a verse about trusting God.
  • When anxious thoughts arise, replace them with prayers of trust.
  • Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness.
John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27 (NIV)

Jesus offers us a peace that surpasses worldly understanding. His peace isn’t dependent on our circumstances but on His presence in our lives. When fear or stress creeps in, we can rest in the peace He gives freely.

Practical tips

  • Memorize this verse and recite it when you feel anxious.
  • Listen to worship music that reminds you of God’s peace.
  • Take deep breaths and pray when stress starts to rise.
Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

God invites us to bring our worries to Him. Instead of letting anxiety take over, we can trade our concerns for His peace by laying them at His feet in prayer.

Practical tips

  • Set aside time each day to pray over your worries.
  • Write down your prayers and thank God for His peace.
  • Practice surrendering control to God, reminding yourself He is in charge.

Peace in the storm

No matter what we do in life, we are always going to have storms come. We’ll have times where everything is upended, and finding peace seems impossible.

In the world, that would be true. But with God anything is possible. Let these verses soothe and calm the storms you face.

Mark 4:39-40

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’”

Mark 4:39-40 (NIV)

Jesus has power over the storms in our lives, both literal and figurative. When we feel overwhelmed by chaos, we can trust Him to bring calm and stillness to our hearts.

Practical tips

  • When chaos hits, pause and ask Jesus to calm your heart.
  • Remind yourself that God is in control, even in life’s storms.
  • Focus on His past faithfulness to strengthen your faith for the future.
Romans 8:6

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

Romans 8:6 (NIV)

Our thoughts shape our emotions and actions. When we focus on God and let His Spirit lead us, we can experience true peace rather than being ruled by fear or worry.

Practical tips

  • Read Scripture daily to renew your mind with God’s truth.
  • Avoid negativity that stirs up anxiety, like certain social media or news.
  • Focus on things that bring peace—like worship, prayer and encouragement.
Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

When we face difficulties, God is our safe place. He is always with us, offering strength and protection in every situation.

Practical tips

  • Run to God first when difficulties arise, rather than reacting in fear.
  • Create a prayer space in your home to remind you of His presence.
  • Speak this verse over your life during challenging moments.

Pursuing peace in relationships

Conflict in relationships certainly disturb our peace. We want to make sure that are being intentional about pursuing peace in our relationships with our family, friends and those we encounter.

Let these verses inspire and encourage you to turn to God for help in pursuing peace in relationships.

Ephesians 4:2-3

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)

Relationships can be messy, but God calls us to pursue peace through humility, patience and love. When we strive for unity, we reflect His heart.

Practical tips

  • Practice patience and empathy when conflicts arise.
  • Pray for wisdom in difficult conversations.
  • Choose words that build others up rather than tear them down.
James 3:18

“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3:18 (NIV)

Living as a peacemaker means actively working to bring peace into our homes and relationships. When we do this, we reflect God’s righteousness.

Practical tips

  • Lead by example—demonstrate peace in your interactions.
  • Resolve conflicts quickly rather than letting resentment grow.
  • Encourage peace by being a source of kindness and understanding.
Colossians 3:13

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Forgiveness is a key part of maintaining peace in relationships. When we choose to forgive, we free ourselves from bitterness and allow God’s peace to fill our hearts.

Practical tips

  • Ask God to help you forgive those who have wronged you.
  • Remember how much you’ve been forgiven by God.
  • Let go of resentment and choose grace in difficult moments.

Living in God’s peace daily

We also want to find ways to live in God’s peace daily through the storms, in our relationships and in just the general stress of mom life.

These verses will encourage you to embrace God’s peace on a regular basis and truly feel it in your heart.

Psalm 29:11

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Psalm 29:11 (NIV)

God’s peace isn’t something we earn—it’s a gift He freely gives. When we rely on His strength, we can walk in His peace each day.

Practical tips

2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

God’s peace is constant and available in every situation. No matter what we face, we can trust that His peace is with us.

Practical tips

  • Begin and end each day with a prayer for peace.
  • Speak Scripture over your heart when anxiety arises.
  • Trust that God’s peace is available in every situation.
  • Final Encouragement
Isaiah 32:17

“The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”

Isaiah 32:17

God’s peace is a result of righteousness. When we follow His ways, we experience deep, lasting peace.

Practical tips

  • Seek to live righteously by aligning your actions with God’s Word.
  • Trust in God’s promises, even when life feels uncertain.
  • Embrace quiet moments with God to strengthen your confidence in Him.

Use the free Bible reading plan about peace

To go even deeper into Bible verses about peace, check out the free 31-day Bible reading plan all about peace. It includes a couple of verses per day and reflection questions to help you draw closer to God and embrace more peace in your life.

Free 31-day Bible reading plan about finding peace

Be sure to join the Christian Moms with Grace private Facebook group where we talk all about our monthly reading plans and lots of other spiritual and practical motherhood topics!

As moms, we may not always feel peaceful, but we can rest in the truth that God’s peace is always available to us. By trusting Him, praying through our worries and choosing to cultivate peace in our hearts and homes, we can experience the deep and lasting peace He promises.

If you’re looking for even more free Bible reading plans, you can find all of them here:

Related posts to check out

20 Encouraging Bible verses about peace of mind

7 Prayers for overwhelmed moms

God’s rest for weary moms: Find peace in His presence

Finding God’s perfect peace in the chaos of motherhood

How to deal with anxiety as a Christian

Families With Grace
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