A Mother’s Day Prayer for When You Feel Overwhelmed
By Rachel Wojo
Bible Reading:
"When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place." - Psalm 118:5
Read or Listen Below:
One day I remember feeling like motherhood was swallowing me whole. Have you ever felt like the demands were coming in faster than you could possibly meet them? I've certainly been there, and if you're a mom, I'm guessing you have too. Quite a few years ago, our household was hit with what I can only describe as the stomach virus apocalypse. Three of our children were vomiting nonstop within 48 hours of each other. Between the middle-of-the-night wake-ups, the constant sheet changing, and the mountain of laundry that seemed to multiply every time I turned around, I felt completely overwhelmed. By day three, I found myself standing in front of the washing machine at 2 AM, too tired to even let the tears come, wondering how I would make it through the next day on virtually no sleep.
In that moment, the weight of motherhood felt crushing. It wasn’t just the physical tasks, though there were plenty of those. The emotional toll of seeing my children suffer while still trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy for everyone else in the house stretched me beyond my capacity, yet I was still expected to keep going. Perhaps you've been there too—maybe not with a stomach virus invasion, but with your own version of overwhelming motherhood. The sleepless nights with a newborn. The worry over a teenager making poor choices. The endless juggling of work deadlines and family commitments. The feeling that everyone needs a piece of you, and there's simply not enough to go around. Friend, I truly get it.
In Psalm 118:5, David writes, "When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place." I love this image. When we're squeezed on all sides by the pressures of motherhood, God doesn't necessarily remove the pressure, but He brings us into a "spacious place"—a place where we can breathe again, where we can find room to move and live and even thrive despite the circumstances.
That night in my laundry room, I whispered a desperate prayer. It wasn't eloquent or lengthy—just a simple cry for help. And while the mountain of laundry didn't magically disappear, I felt my spirit expand. The spacious place God brought me to wasn't physical—it was internal. A reminder that I wasn't alone in this. That the God who entrusted these children to me promises to gently lead me through every season, including the overwhelming ones. I don’t have to wait for a change in circumstances to experience a change in my spirit.
As we approach Mother's Day, I want to remind you, dear mom, that it's okay to acknowledge when motherhood feels too heavy to carry. It's okay to cry out to God when you're overwhelmed. In fact, it's in those raw, honest moments of surrender that we often experience His presence most powerfully.
Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father,
The weight of today presses against my chest, tightening with each task left undone. The noise, the needs, the demands—they swirl around me like a relentless storm. I am weary, worn, and stretched thin. But You remind me that I am not alone—that even in the chaos, You are my calm. When my hands are full, let my heart rest in You. Draw me close when I have nothing left to give. Hold me in the stillness of Your presence. Let me find refuge in Your unfailing arms. Thank You for bringing me into a spacious place when I feel hard pressed on every side. Thank You for seeing me in the overwhelm of motherhood and meeting me exactly where I am. When the demands of motherhood threaten to consume me, expand my capacity through Your strength, not my own. On this Mother's Day, help me remember that You designed motherhood not as a burden to bear alone, but as a journey walked hand-in-hand with You. Thank You for the sacred privilege of raising these children, and for Your promise to gently lead those who have young.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Photo credit: Unsplash/BenWhite
If you're looking for guidance on deepening your prayer life in tough times, I invite you to check out my new book, Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life's Darkest Moments. You'll find real-life stories, prayers, and practical ways to connect with God when you need Him most. You can learn more at desperateprayers.com.
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