A Practical List of How to Pray as a Young Mom

Breath prayer

Throughout the day as you are scattered and in need, breathe in a phrase for four seconds (or one deep belly breath). Then slowly breathe out the rest of the phrase. These are some that help me. There are some wonderful phrases in scripture that can be easily memorized and used:

• My soul finds rest…. In God alone (Psalm 62:1)
• Lord Jesus… have mercy on me. (Luke 18:13)
• (Help me) Trust in the Lord…with all my heart (Proverbs 3:5)

Learn hymns that are prayers alongside your children

Doing so helps us in turn to think more deeply about the words we sing (as we try to explain to a three year old exactly what abide means). But this is also an excellent training ground for worship. Here are some hymns to get started:

• Abide with Me
• Take my Life and Let it Be
• O Love that will not let me go

Perhaps you do not feel confident singing yet? Try instead to learn a Psalm together and just recite it aloud. You will be amazed at how quickly your child memorizes scripture (and how phrases linger throughout the day for you as well).

Pray as you nurse (or rock) a child to sleep.

Leave the temptation of your phone and its distractions in another room. Keep a list of prayer requests (or scripture or thanksgivings) by your glider. Pray a blessing over the child you are rocking (Numbers 6:24-26)

Let your first thoughts be guided toward God, not tech.

Obviously, the baby waking at 4 is an exception!

But I have found that being awake even 10 minutes before my children helps center my own heart. So begin that discipline of rising before your littles and use that time not on your phone but rather praying for God’s help (and reading his wisdom) before your feet hit the floor and you begin your day.

Take heart, young mothers (and fathers). The Lord sees you and longs to carry you, just as you carry along your children.

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

Photo by Fa Barboza on Unsplash