Litany for Mothers — Janice Hill, USA

To be read responsively by a leader and group, or divided into two groups of voices (e.g. left & right)

Mothers come in many different forms, and today we celebrate them all!
Thank God for mothers!

Everyone here is either a daughter or a son.
Thank God for our mothers!

For those women who have died and whom we miss dearly.
Thank God for the mothers who are no longer with us.

For every woman who is working day and night to raise her children, right now.
Thank God for mothers of today.

For all women who are expecting but aren’t quite mothers yet!
Thank God for soon-to-be-mothers.

For women who took in others’ children through adoption and foster care.
Thank God for mothers with hearts so big.

For women who have lost a child to death and must carry on in their grief.
Thank God for mothers who are so strong, and may they receive comfort from you.

For those who were not emotionally, mentally, physically ready to have children and made heart wrenching decisions.
May God bless these hurting women who have made hard decisions.

For women who choose not to have children, yet their influence is felt by many.
Thank God for the ability to make choices.

For women who have desperately wanted to have children of their own but chose instead to mother children of others.
Thank God for abounding love.

For women who have ‘less than’ mothers and struggle with this day.
Thank God for the ability to heal.

For women who were and maybe are ‘less than’ caregivers to their children.
Thank God for the forgiveness and hope offered to all.

We give thanks for all the women who have influenced our lives in so many ways.
May we be an encouragement to all.

We will honour them
As God honours all humankind.

Like many writers, Janice finds inspiration from a variety of sources.  What is ‘original’ blends in word and image with material read and heard elsewhere.  Thus, this litany weaves inspiration from a variety of un-remembered sources.  If you are aware of any sources, other than Janice, to be acknowledged, please inform the Editor.  We are sharing resources and in no way wishing to ‘steal’ them.  Thank you.

Photo: Mother and child in China, by Frank Richards, USA

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