20 Verses to Encourage Mom on Mother's Day

When we come across verses in the Bible that mention motherhood, they are overwhelmingly positive and convey the clear message that being a mom is a blessing. Motherhood shouldn’t be taken lightly and is significant in the eyes of God.

Exodus 20:12 - “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Proverbs 23:22-25 - “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice."

Proverbs 31:28-31 - “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’”

Psalm 113:9 - “He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!”

Psalm 127:3 - “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”

John 16:21 - "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world."

John 19:26-27 - “When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said to his mother, Woman, behold your son! Then said he to the disciple, Behold your mother! And from that hour that disciple took her into his own home.”

Titus 2:4-5 - “So train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”

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We know that Eve was the first woman to bear the title of mother, and we all find strength and encouragement from Mary, the mother of Jesus, who bore her son in extraneous circumstances and was with him unto death. But the Bible includes stories of many other mothers –  mothers who knew to put their hope and faith in the Lord.

Hannah – The mother of Samuel, who became a most holy and righteous prophet. Hannah was faithful and trusted in the Lord. She was noted for praying and pleading with God to open her womb and bless her with a child. Read her story in 1 Samuel 1-2.

Jochebed – The mother to Aaron, Miriam, and Moses. She made the heart-wrenching decision to send her baby boy down the river, so that his life would be spared. Her plan worked, and even more, she was chosen to help care her son in Pharaoh’s house. She is known for an incredible faith in the Lord that allowed her to do the impossible to save her baby’s life. Read her story in Exodus 2.

Leah – Mother to seven children and the first wife of Jacob. She is remembered as Jacob’s unloved wife. She persevered through incredibly disheartening circumstances in her marriage. God remembered Leah and blessed her by opening her womb. Read her story in Genesis 29.

Naomi – Mother-in-law to Ruth. She lost her husband and two sons to a great famine that swept the land. She survived such horrendous grief, and continued to care for her daughter-in-law Ruth. Read her story in the Book of Ruth.

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These biblical mothers inspire us, teach us, and faced challenges that many of us can relate to. We can also look to other Christian mothers for inspiration and perseverance in faith.

Monica of Hippo – She was the mother of St. Augustine and lived in the 4^th century during the early years of Christianity. She is known as a devout Christian who prayed diligently for her son, Augustine, to come to faith in Jesus Christ. He eventually did and became one of the most influential theologians in history.

Susanna Wesley – She was the mother of John Wesley, one of the reformers of the 16^th century. She endured many hardships and believed strongly in the grace of God as what got her and her family through the challenges they faced. Her son, John Wesley, went on to be a major influencer of the modern Christian church.

Alberta King – She was the mother of Martin Luther King Jr. Alberta King was highly involved in her church, was known to have a strong faith, which she passed onto her children. Most notably, she taught her children that God created all humankind equal and her son became one of the most effective people to lead the charge against racism and bring equality in America to all peoples.

Katie Davis Majors – In 2008, she became the foster mother to 13 girls in Uganda after becoming passionately inspired by the people and culture. She has since created an organization in Uganda to share the love and hope of Jesus. 

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Motherhood is a blessing which certainly has as many hard days as it does good days. The Bible is filled with encouraging and heartfelt passages that are useful for motherhood and helping moms find wisdom, guidance, and a deeper faith. From knowing our children are in the Lord’s care, to being reminded that our hope is in Him, there’s plenty of relevant Scripture verses that can fill up a mother’s heart with godly perspectives, truth, and love.

Trust in the Lord

Exodus 14:14 - “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

1 Samuel 1:15-17 - “’Not so, my lord,’ Hannah replied, ‘I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.’ Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.’”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 - “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

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Isaiah 41:10 - “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Psalm 16:8 - “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Psalm 30:5 - “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

Psalm 46:5 - “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”

The Lord Will Help You Persevere

Proverbs 31:15 - “She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family.”

Matthew 5:9 - “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Matthew 15:25 - “But she came and worshipped him, pleading again, ‘Lord help me.’”

John 11:35 - “Jesus wept.”

Romans 5:3-4 - “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Romans 12:12 - “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Ephesians 2:13 - “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

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1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Philippians 4:12-13 - “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

1 Thessalonians 2:4 - “We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.”

James 1:5 - “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.”

A Prayer for Mom on Mother's Day 

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the gift of motherhood and that moms serve as beautiful bearers of love around the world. We ask that our mothers would have stronger faith; to move mountains and to draw their children closer to you. Let our mothers be more kind, and more patient, to pause and consider each situation they encounter with a righteous standpoint. Let mothers put others first because that is the way of Jesus.

May mothers find ways to rest, giving grace not only to others, but to themselves, as well. Let our mothers not be easily angered or frustrated with themselves, with their spouses, or with their children. Let mothers delight and rejoice in your truth and goodness. Help mothers protect their families by putting on the shield of faith and praying without ceasing.

We pray that our mothers would put their trust and hope fully in you. Give mothers the strength and guidance to persevere through whatever they may face. We praise you, oh God, for your help, for your mercy, and your unfailing love. Today, we ask your blessing of love and peace upon all mothers.

Amen.

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Pamela Palmer is a writer, chaplain, and the founder of upheldlife.com, the platform on which she produces weekly devotionals and faith resource articles to inspire keeping faith at the center of it all. She lives and thrives on Jesus, coffee, and music. She is in pastoral ministry and gets to share in the emotional and spiritual lives of many people, being a small piece of each journey. Pamela married the perfect man for her and they have two beautiful kiddos. She has been published on herviewfromhome.com and you can follow her at upheldlife.com, or on Facebook.com/upheldlife.