7 Bible verse prayers for moms

As moms, we’re naturally wired to put everyone else first. We pray for our children’s safety, our husband’s well-being and our friends’ struggles.

Yet when it comes to praying for ourselves, we often hesitate. Maybe it feels selfish, or perhaps we’re just so accustomed to placing our needs last that we forget we need prayer, too.

This week, we’re focusing on something vital but frequently overlooked: praying for yourself. This isn’t self-centered—it’s actually essential to your spiritual health and your ability to care for those you love.

This post is part of the “Praying Through the Busy” free Bible study. Find all the details:

Scroll to the bottom of the post for the link to download the free study guide, reflection questions, reading plan, prayer prompts and more for the week.

Why praying for yourself matters

God knows motherhood requires tremendous strength, wisdom and patience—far more than we possess on our own. That’s why He invites us to bring our needs directly to Him.

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

Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

When we neglect to pray for ourselves, we’re essentially trying to mother from an empty well. We cannot continually pour out what we haven’t first received.

Just as flight attendants instruct parents to put on their own oxygen masks before helping their children, we need spiritual nourishment before we can effectively nurture others.

Jesus Himself modeled this practice. Despite the constant demands of ministry, He regularly withdrew to pray alone (Luke 5:16). If the Son of God needed this time of personal prayer and renewal, how much more do we?

What to pray for yourself as a mother

Sometimes we’re not sure what to pray when it comes to ourselves. Here are some vital areas to consider:

Pray for confidence

Whether you’re naturally confident or not, being confident as a mom is challenging. We question constantly whether we’re making the right choices or doing the right thing.

Motherhood is a lot of pressure. But the good news is, we aren’t going on this journey alone.

“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”

Psalm 46:5 (NIV)

I’ve always struggled with being hard on myself. But, becoming a mom took that to a whole new level.

I’ll never forget the doctor’s visit when our daughter was a couple of days old where the pediatrician we had to see questioned everything we were doing and made me feel like I was failing.

I sat in the backseat on the way home beside my sweet tiny girl and sobbed. (And you can bet we never went to that pediatrician again.)

I was already questioning everything. Becoming a mom is overwhelming and being confident in something brand-new is hard — especially when you’re hormonal and exhausted.

That was far from the only time I’ve needed confidence as a mom. While I can’t always find confidence in myself, I can find it in God. When He and I are working together (as in I’m truly seeking Him), we can do anything.

Father, thank you for being within me and keeping me from falling. I praise you for being with me at the break of each and every day and throughout the long, long nights of motherhood. Give me confidence in you that I will not fall and will have strength for the tasks you’ve set before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pray for strength and renewal

Motherhood can be physically and emotionally exhausting, whether you’re up all night with a newborn or worrying about a teenager making good choices.

God promises special strength to those who wait on Him:

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

When you feel depleted, pray specifically for God’s strength to fill you. This isn’t a sign of weakness but of wisdom—recognizing your need for divine power beyond your own resources.

Recently, during a particularly challenging week with sick kids and looming deadlines, I found myself at the end of my rope by Wednesday afternoon.

Instead of pushing through on my own strength, I took five minutes alone to be honest with God that I didn’t have it in me to keep going. I begged for His strength.

That brief moment of surrender made all the difference in how I handled the rest of my day.

Dear God, help me to always place my hope in you. I ask that you renew and refill my strength daily. I get tired and weary as a mom and a woman. Give me your strength to keep going and not get weary or faint. Remind me you are with me every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pray for peace amid chaos

Mom life is rarely peaceful on the outside. There are spills to clean, schedules to manage and endless needs to meet.

But God offers an internal peace that transcends our circumstances:

“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

When anxiety creeps in—about your children’s future, your family’s finances or simply how you’ll get through the day—bring those specific concerns to God. Exchange your worries for His peace.

And if you are like me and battle with anxiety regularly, keep going and giving it to God as many times as you need to. (Read more about how to deal with anxiety as a Christian.)

Father, I get anxious when I look at the things going on in my life around me. I ask that in every situation I encounter that you give me your peace, which is beyond my understanding. Thank you for all the blessings you have already given me. Please guard my heart and mind and help me to keep my focus on you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pray for wisdom

Every day as moms, we face countless decisions: How do I handle this behavior issue? Is this the right activity for my child? Should I be more strict or more lenient in this situation?

James offers this beautiful promise:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 1:5 (NIV)

God doesn’t expect you to have all the answers. He simply invites you to ask Him for the wisdom you need, moment by moment.

Many times throughout my motherhood journey, I have asked God for wisdom and guidance. Being a mom is a lot of pressure!

When my oldest was starting school, even just figuring out the best school for her was a challenge. I asked God for wisdom and guidance.

He opened the doors for her to go to a school I didn’t expect, and now — as she’s just finished her freshman year of high school — I see all the ways it’s been a perfect fit.

Dear God, I thank you and praise you for the wisdom you’ve already given me in my life. Thank you for giving it to me even when I mess up. Father, I ask that you continue to give me your wisdom. Help me to know the best ways to raise these children you’ve blessed me with. Give me the right words, thoughts and actions as their mama. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pray for courage

Motherhood requires courage—courage to make tough decisions, to discipline consistently, to advocate for your children and to stand firm in your convictions when the world pushes against them.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

When you face intimidating situations—whether it’s confronting a school issue, navigating a difficult relationship or making a major family decision—pray for the courage that comes from knowing God is with you.

I’m a naturally quiet person who loathes confrontation. But I’ve had moments of having to stand up for and advocate for my children.

God has given me courage to do what is best for them and speak up when I didn’t have the strength to do so on my own.

Dear God, thank you for being my light and my salvation. I know that I have no one and nothing to fear, yet I often live like I do. Help me to overcome my fears and remember you are my stronghold on whom I can depend. You have already won the battle. Strengthen my faith and confidence in you. When fearful thoughts enter my mind, help me overcome them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pray for rest and restoration

In a culture that glorifies busyness, choosing rest can feel countercultural. Yet God designed us to need both physical and spiritual rest.

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV)

I know firsthand the struggle of finding downtime and rest as a mom — because our job never, ever stops. However, we truly need rest, and resting isn’t selfish or lazy.

I struggle with this often myself. Recently one of my children told me that I’ve been working too hard recently and need to give myself a break. Ouch!

We mamas are also setting examples for our children in how they should live and treat themselves. That’s even more motivation to model a healthy balance that includes rest and downtime.

And I can’t do this on my own. I need God’s help to prioritize rest and find ways to make it happen, even in the midst of the busy.

(Check out these 5 ways that moms can find downtime.)

Father, I struggle with finding rest. Help my soul to find rest in you. Thank you for the salvation the comes from you. Remind me you are my rock who remains steady and in whom I can trust. Show me ways that I can stop even for just a few minutes and find the true rest and restoration that comes only through you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pray for grace in your weakness

None of us mothers perfectly. We lose our patience, say things we regret and fall short of our own expectations. In those moments, remember:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

It’s hard to imagine that God’s strength and love can shine through my weaknesses, but they can. In fact, I have been able to use some of my own weaknesses to talk to my children about God.

My youngest struggles with anxiety. I have been able to talk with him about my same struggles with anxiety and how God has helped me with them.

I am thankful for any weakness that helps me understand my children more and point them to their Heavenly Father.

Dear God, thank you for giving me grace and loving me even in my weakness. I ask that the power of Christ rests on me and shines through me to those around me — including my children. I surrender my life and my motherhood to you. I know I am inadequate, but you are perfect. Let your perfection shine through to cover the places where I fall short. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Practical ways to prioritize prayer for yourself

Knowing we should pray for ourselves is one thing; actually doing it is another. Here are some practical suggestions for making it happen in your busy mom life:

Create prayer triggers

Identify routine daily activities that can serve as reminders to pray for yourself:

• While brushing your teeth, pray for wisdom for the day
• During your shower, pray for God’s strength
• While waiting in the school pickup line, pray for peace and patience
• As you wash dishes, pray for restoration
• Keep Scripture cards handy

Write this week’s verses on index cards and place them where you’ll see them throughout the day—on your bathroom mirror, by the kitchen sink, in your car or saved as phone wallpaper. When you glimpse the verse, pause for a brief moment of prayer.

Set a daily appointment

Choose a specific time each day dedicated to praying for yourself, even if it’s just 5 minutes. Early morning before the house wakes up, during naptime or after bedtime often works well for moms.

Protect this time as you would any important appointment. You can quite literally set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself to pray.

Use prayer prompts in your journal

If you keep a journal, create a section specifically for prayers for yourself. Include prompts based on this week’s Scriptures:

• Today I need God’s strength for…
• I’m feeling anxious about… Lord, I give this to you and receive your peace.
• I need wisdom regarding…
• I need courage to…
• My soul needs rest from…
• I feel weak in… Lord, show your power in this area.

Join with others

Find a prayer partner—another mom who understands the importance of self-prayer. Check in weekly to share what you’re praying for yourselves and to encourage one another in this practice.

Joining a group of Christian moms can be a great way to find a prayer partner or to stay focused on God while dealing with motherhood. Be sure to check out our free and private Facebook group, Christian Moms with Grace.

Pray out loud

Sometimes praying silently for ourselves doesn’t feel as “official” as praying for others. Try praying out loud for yourself when you’re alone, using your own name: “Father, please give [your name] the wisdom she needs for this decision…”

Overcoming guilt about praying for yourself

If you still struggle with feeling selfish when praying for yourself, remember these truths:

God commands us to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). This assumes we will care for ourselves—not out of selfishness but as good stewards of the life God has given us.

Jesus invited people to come to Him when they were weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28). This includes you!

You’re modeling healthy spiritual practices for your children. When they see you valuing your relationship with God enough to bring your own needs to Him, they learn to do the same.

A beautiful thing happens when we start regularly praying for ourselves: we become more effective in loving and serving others. Rather than operating from depletion, resentment, or obligation, we serve from the overflow of what God is doing in our hearts.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”

Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)

This verse describes a woman who has inner resources—strength and dignity that come from her relationship with God. As you pray for yourself this week, may you experience this same divine clothing, equipped for whatever motherhood brings your way.

Encouragement for moms

Dear mama, you are seen, known and deeply loved by the Creator of the universe. The God who knit your children together in your womb also knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). He knows exactly what you need.

In the noise and demands of motherhood, don’t forget that you are still His beloved daughter. He delights in you coming to Him with your needs, your dreams, your struggles and your desires.

God isn’t distant from your motherhood journey—He is with and within you. You carry His presence with you through diaper changes and teenage drama alike. Because He is within you, you will not fall (Psalm 46:5). You can trust His help with each new day.

As you pray for yourself this week, my prayer is that you’ll experience a fresh awareness of God’s love for you, not just as a mother, but as His precious child. May you find freedom in bringing your whole self to Him, knowing that He cares about every detail of your life and heart.

Let’s conclude with a prayer you can pray right now to help you start focusing on praying for your needs as well.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for meeting me in the quiet pauses of my day and for the gift of your presence that sustains my heart, mind, body and soul. As I pray through these verses and practice resting in you, fill me with your peace that transcends every fear and every fatigue. Help me to carry these sacred pauses into my busiest moments—reminding me that you are my strength, my refuge and my hope. Empower me by your Spirit to make self-care a holy habit, so my cup overflows with grace to love my family well. May my life be a living prayer of thanksgiving and trust, reflecting your faithfulness in every step. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Find more tips and Scripture prayers in the free “Praying Through the Busy” Bible study: