A Mother's Day Prayer

We remember with joy and thanksgiving
the significant women who have nurtured our life and faith,
women like
     Eve, mother of humanity;
     Sarah, mother of Isaac;
     Rebekah, mother of Jacob and Esau and your people Israel;
     Leah, Rachel, Zilpah and Bilhah, mothers of a holy nation;
     Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus the Christ and Mother of God;
     and our own mothers
     and women who like a mother
     nursed, nurtured, loved,
     and nourished us spiritually with their wisdom and faith.
We ask you to bless them,
and to honor them in heaven as we seek to honor them here on earth.
May our mothers and all women of faith
know our love and gratitude
not only this day but everyday.

This day also reminds us, loving God,
how like a mother hen you gather us together
and protect us under your wing;
and how you are faithful still,
like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child,
and so we give you thanks,
most of all,
for your maternal love and care. Amen