“Amidst the joy, there is often great sadness.”

This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day and churches around the country will think of how they can bless moms. An oft-forgotten reality of Mother’s Day is those who have lost children or are unable to give birth. One way to grieve with those who grieve on this special day is through lament.

A Mother’s Day Lament

In his book Rhythms of Grace Mike Cosper talks about how for the last few years on Mother’s Day his church “has prayed a prayer of lament with those who long to be mothers but feel the pain of childlessness and loneliness.” I’ve regularly used this prayer on Mother’s Day and each year the response is somewhat overwhelming—in a wonderful way.

The section in italics is an introduction to the prayer to be read by a pastor, and the following prayer is one the congregation can read together:

We recognize on a day like today that everything in God’s creation isn’t as it should be. Sin has broken families and caused deep pain and heartache, and suffering in creation has led to suffering in the flesh—some who long to be parents are unable to experience that joy. Let’s pray together, knowing that God hears us in our pain and sadness:

who defeated death,
Amen.

For the Hurting and Joyfully Distracted

Cosper goes on to say, “Not only does such a prayer speak to specific and deep pain; it helps the congregation share the burden of that pain. Many on a day like Mother’s Day are joyfully distracted by their own celebrations, and those who suffer do so in isolation. A prayer like this softens the hearts of those who are joyful, and embraces those who are cold.”

As you plan for this Sunday, don’t forget about the sadness that will surely be present amidst the joy.