As My Mother Prayed
by Desha Clawson
Mother’s Day! Who started this holiday anyway? Why do we have this celebration?
Proclaimed a national holiday by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914, Mother’s Day, established by Anna Jarvis, was a way for Anna, and others, to recognize mothers for their positive contributions to society.
Jesus Christ was also known for honoring women and mothers. He showed great love to His mother, Mary, as He hung on the cross. Jesus made sure Mary would be cared for by John, His disciple, upon His death.
“Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from
that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” — John 19:27
Motherhood should be valued and recognized as the honor and privilege it is; however, Mother’s Day can bring to our minds many things. To some, Mother’s Day is a day of celebrating family times with moms and their children. For others, it is a reminder of loss, longing or disappointment stirring up questions of “Why Lord?” and “If only…” which seem to have no concrete answers. It is a day of mixed emotions.
For me, the day brings to my mind fond memories of my own mother. A faithful mother. A praying mother.
I myself am a mother of four sons – so I guess I should be reflecting more on my own motherhood joys and woes. Instead, Mother’s Day surrounds me with memories of my mom. I think about her funny wit, her proud but spontaneous personality and quirky habits. My mother taught me so many things along the way, and for this I am grateful. She truly is the voice in my head. I wish I could say it’s the LORD’s voice alone that rings true in my mind – but truly it’s His and her voice combined. I’m thankful her voice is filled with God’s concepts and truths.
Growing up in the South, my mother was a Southern woman who believed in hospitality. She believed in manners. She believed in writing thank you notes, never returning a casserole dish empty to a friend and always having your front room ready for guests. Oh, and lest we forget, do not wear white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day!
She was a loving mother that taught me manners and how to run a household, but the most important tool she gave me for motherhood was a power tool. That's right...the power of prayer.
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” James 5:16
Often, my sister and I would tease Mom because she would always go inside her closet to pray. As a widow for over 20 years, with an entire house filled with beautifully decorated rooms, she would still go inside her closet to pray – she would go to her “secret place” to convene with the LORD in prayer. She lived Matthew 6:6, where it says:
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father
who is unseen. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
Mom would pray for big things, for small things, for things many times that we thought were silly – but still she would always pray. I think I took my mother’s prayers for granted.
After she went home to be with the LORD, I realized just how valuable and important her prayers for my family and me were in my life. I have always prayed for my children, but since my Mom has been gone, something about my prayer life has changed.
Being an empty nester now, I too have the entire house in which to pray, but find myself going inside the closet like Mom. I pray for big things, for small things, for my four sons to walk with the LORD. I pray for their spiritual discipline towards the LORD, their church attendance, their willingness to apply scripture to their lives and for their service to the LORD. I’m sure my mother prayed about these things for me as well when I was a young adult.
I can remember sitting beside my mother in church as a child and playing with her hands and rings. Listening to her sing off-key to her favorite hymn, How Great Thou Art. I’m so thankful for the biblical principles that ring true within this hymn, and those same principles were clearly evident in my mother’s life.
As my sons sit next to me at church and listen to me sing off-key as well to my favorite praise song (like mother like daughter), I will pray as mom did. I will pray that this will be a Sunday my sons hear a word from the LORD – that once again God would reveal Himself to them and speak to their hearts. They don’t always attend church on a regular basis, but on Mother’s Day as my sons attend church with me, I will be praying for their walk with the LORD to be stronger. Just as my mother prayed for my walk to be closer and more intimate with Him – I will pray for them.
I will pray that the LORD hears my prayers and encourages each son to attend church where they can enjoy worship, hear the Word read and enjoy fellowship with other believers.
I will pray that their attendance would not just be on Christmas, Easter and Mother’s Day out of reverence for me (though I’m happy for that), but that their constant desire to know the LORD would increase. As we sit together at church with one son dozing off, another sipping coffee and still another being swatted for elbowing the other – I will pray for them as they grin at me when they are caught.
Memories of my young 7 and 8-year-old sons will tumble forward in my mind. Bittersweet memories of days gone by and anticipation of what the future holds for my “young men” — young men my mother and I have both prayed for.
As I sit in church next to my sons, I hope they know that I am a mother that prays for them. A mother that prays for their strength as they walk with the LORD – prays for their future, their wives, their wisdom and discernment and all the things moms pray for their sons.
Prayer is powerful. Prayer is a mighty tool in decision making, finding comfort, drawing closer to God – prayer enables us to lay our requests and burdens before Jesus Christ. The LORD hears our prayers.
“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when
I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.” — Psalm 4:1
If you didn’t have a praying mom growing up, maybe you can be one for your children or to another child that needs “a praying mom” in their life. JUST as my mother prayed for me so often, I will be praying for my husband, my sons and their families/future families.
As I sit in church on Mother’s Day, I will see:
I am extremely thankful and blessed my mother prayed for me and taught me the power of prayer. As I reflect on my own mother, my motherhood and other women so dear to me – I pray that whatever Mother’s Day is to you, that you too will continue to pray for those on your heart to draw closer to the LORD and you will be remembered as a “praying mom” no matter your status or situation. Just as my mother prayed for me, I’m praying for each of you that read this – God’s absolute best for you.
As I pray for YOU, may I encourage you to keep praying?
LORD –
I lift up each person who reads this. May they know your love and comfort. May your mercy and grace pour out to each of them. Fill them with your redeeming love and extend more grace than they could possibly imagine. Hold each one close and help them to know that You listen to their prayers. Draw them to You oh LORD, and hear their tender hearts. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and comfort and sustain those who need to feel Your Presence today. You know our hearts and will work in and through us for Your great glory.
Amen
“Do not be anxious for anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.” — Philippians 4:6
by Desha Clawson
Mother’s Day! Who started this holiday anyway? Why do we have this celebration?
Proclaimed a national holiday by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914, Mother’s Day, established by Anna Jarvis, was a way for Anna, and others, to recognize mothers for their positive contributions to society.
Jesus Christ was also known for honoring women and mothers. He showed great love to His mother, Mary, as He hung on the cross. Jesus made sure Mary would be cared for by John, His disciple, upon His death.
“Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from
that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” — John 19:27
Motherhood should be valued and recognized as the honor and privilege it is; however, Mother’s Day can bring to our minds many things. To some, Mother’s Day is a day of celebrating family times with moms and their children. For others, it is a reminder of loss, longing or disappointment stirring up questions of “Why Lord?” and “If only…” which seem to have no concrete answers. It is a day of mixed emotions.
For me, the day brings to my mind fond memories of my own mother. A faithful mother. A praying mother.
I myself am a mother of four sons – so I guess I should be reflecting more on my own motherhood joys and woes. Instead, Mother’s Day surrounds me with memories of my mom. I think about her funny wit, her proud but spontaneous personality and quirky habits. My mother taught me so many things along the way, and for this I am grateful. She truly is the voice in my head. I wish I could say it’s the LORD’s voice alone that rings true in my mind – but truly it’s His and her voice combined. I’m thankful her voice is filled with God’s concepts and truths.
Growing up in the South, my mother was a Southern woman who believed in hospitality. She believed in manners. She believed in writing thank you notes, never returning a casserole dish empty to a friend and always having your front room ready for guests. Oh, and lest we forget, do not wear white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day!
She was a loving mother that taught me manners and how to run a household, but the most important tool she gave me for motherhood was a power tool. That's right...the power of prayer.
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” James 5:16
Often, my sister and I would tease Mom because she would always go inside her closet to pray. As a widow for over 20 years, with an entire house filled with beautifully decorated rooms, she would still go inside her closet to pray – she would go to her “secret place” to convene with the LORD in prayer. She lived Matthew 6:6, where it says:
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father
who is unseen. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
Mom would pray for big things, for small things, for things many times that we thought were silly – but still she would always pray. I think I took my mother’s prayers for granted.
After she went home to be with the LORD, I realized just how valuable and important her prayers for my family and me were in my life. I have always prayed for my children, but since my Mom has been gone, something about my prayer life has changed.
Being an empty nester now, I too have the entire house in which to pray, but find myself going inside the closet like Mom. I pray for big things, for small things, for my four sons to walk with the LORD. I pray for their spiritual discipline towards the LORD, their church attendance, their willingness to apply scripture to their lives and for their service to the LORD. I’m sure my mother prayed about these things for me as well when I was a young adult.
I can remember sitting beside my mother in church as a child and playing with her hands and rings. Listening to her sing off-key to her favorite hymn, How Great Thou Art. I’m so thankful for the biblical principles that ring true within this hymn, and those same principles were clearly evident in my mother’s life.
As my sons sit next to me at church and listen to me sing off-key as well to my favorite praise song (like mother like daughter), I will pray as mom did. I will pray that this will be a Sunday my sons hear a word from the LORD – that once again God would reveal Himself to them and speak to their hearts. They don’t always attend church on a regular basis, but on Mother’s Day as my sons attend church with me, I will be praying for their walk with the LORD to be stronger. Just as my mother prayed for my walk to be closer and more intimate with Him – I will pray for them.
I will pray that the LORD hears my prayers and encourages each son to attend church where they can enjoy worship, hear the Word read and enjoy fellowship with other believers.
I will pray that their attendance would not just be on Christmas, Easter and Mother’s Day out of reverence for me (though I’m happy for that), but that their constant desire to know the LORD would increase. As we sit together at church with one son dozing off, another sipping coffee and still another being swatted for elbowing the other – I will pray for them as they grin at me when they are caught.
Memories of my young 7 and 8-year-old sons will tumble forward in my mind. Bittersweet memories of days gone by and anticipation of what the future holds for my “young men” — young men my mother and I have both prayed for.
As I sit in church next to my sons, I hope they know that I am a mother that prays for them. A mother that prays for their strength as they walk with the LORD – prays for their future, their wives, their wisdom and discernment and all the things moms pray for their sons.
Prayer is powerful. Prayer is a mighty tool in decision making, finding comfort, drawing closer to God – prayer enables us to lay our requests and burdens before Jesus Christ. The LORD hears our prayers.
“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when
I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.” — Psalm 4:1
If you didn’t have a praying mom growing up, maybe you can be one for your children or to another child that needs “a praying mom” in their life. JUST as my mother prayed for me so often, I will be praying for my husband, my sons and their families/future families.
As I sit in church on Mother’s Day, I will see:
- Moms and grandmothers.
- Dear friends who have joys and some friends who have sorrows.
- The sweet lady who lost her college age son in a car accident. I will pray for her and wonder what’s going on in her mind.
- My friend who is losing her sweet mom to cancer, and I will pray for her too.
- Maybe I will see my dear friend’s daughter who always has a smile on her face, but is struggling with conceiving a child of her own, and I will pray for her too.
- I will pray for my precious daughter-in-law for her loss of her mom at such a young age. I will pray for her and wonder what’s going on in her mind – but I will praise God because through her loss, she has found some good. My daughter-in-law will be counseling children and young people who have experienced loss and tragedies within their lives. Sometimes, good does come out of loss and longing.
- I will see another young mom who recently gave birth to her second child, and I will pray for her and wonder if she remembers the great longing she had to have babies of her own and how much we all prayed.
- I will see the young woman who unselfishly gave her sweet baby to a family that could truly care for him better than she could 10 years ago. I will pray for her and wonder what’s going on in her mind.
- I will see a saddened friend with a prodigal daughter sitting close by in church, and I will pray for her. I will wonder what prayer she is whispering to the LORD.
I am extremely thankful and blessed my mother prayed for me and taught me the power of prayer. As I reflect on my own mother, my motherhood and other women so dear to me – I pray that whatever Mother’s Day is to you, that you too will continue to pray for those on your heart to draw closer to the LORD and you will be remembered as a “praying mom” no matter your status or situation. Just as my mother prayed for me, I’m praying for each of you that read this – God’s absolute best for you.
As I pray for YOU, may I encourage you to keep praying?
LORD –
I lift up each person who reads this. May they know your love and comfort. May your mercy and grace pour out to each of them. Fill them with your redeeming love and extend more grace than they could possibly imagine. Hold each one close and help them to know that You listen to their prayers. Draw them to You oh LORD, and hear their tender hearts. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and comfort and sustain those who need to feel Your Presence today. You know our hearts and will work in and through us for Your great glory.
Amen
“Do not be anxious for anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.” — Philippians 4:6
Casey and DeshaDesha Clawson has been married to Casey, her husband, for 35 years. Desha is the mother of four grown sons.
She has her Special Education & Early Childhood degree from Louisiana Tech University. Desha has taught in the public and private school systems. She has served her local church in Oklahoma in many area. Desha is currently serving on the First Baptist Owasso Women's Ministry Team as the Ladies Bible Study Coordinator. She loves to read, travel, study the bible with other women, cook with her family, swim and ride bicycles. |
One of the organizations close to Desha's 'heart' is Wild Heart Ranch.
Wild Heart Ranch is a state and federally licensed rehabilitation facility for all species of wildlife located in Claremore, OK. Desha's son, who was an Airborne Army Medic, volunteers there. He also adopted his service dog, Lazarus, from Wild Heart Ranch. Click the link to learn more or lend support. |
Watch FBCO Current SeriesIn The Tulsa Metro Area? Learn More About FBC Owasso
|
