A Prayer for the Woman Longing to Become a Mother
By Emily Rose Massey
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:8, NLT).
Springtime is a beautiful reminder of new life blooming after a harsh winter. Mother’s Day may be a reminder for some women longing for new life within their wombs. Each month seems to be disappointment after disappointment when it’s another negative pregnancy test. God allows for disappointment to happen in our lives. All things come (or don’t come) to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in us. Whether we were expecting them to happen or not, they conform us to the image of Christ. When we are disappointed, we have the opportunity to praise God no matter what. He is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving, even in the midst of our questions and sorrow. In His sovereign providence, we can trust He works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). Nothing is coincidence or happenstance; God is sovereign and in control of every detail, guiding our steps, and near when we are brokenhearted.
To those who feel the sting of childlessness this Mother’s Day, my heart grieves with you. Yet, I want to encourage you to remember God sees all of the tears you have cried and is with you as your heart aches to have children of your own. In the pain, you can lift your eyes to the only One who keeps us from being crushed under the weight of our grief. You are not alone in your sorrow. God sees you in your pain and does not overlook it. Psalm 56:8 shares this beautiful picture of the nearness and compassion of God:
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (NLT).
The mighty, all-powerful God who created the entire universe is the same God who draws so close to us in our brokenness and pain. The Holy Spirit (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) is our gift from the Father and is nearer than our very breath. In your pain and sorrow, cry out to the Lord and walk with the Holy Spirit. Lean upon Him as He brings you true comfort and peace while guiding you into the truth about the Kingdom to come. Soon we will be with Him forever, where His perfect love will be all we ever experience. Until then, keep drawing near to Him, and He will faithfully draw near to you, just as His Word promises us. Let’s cry out to the God who knows the depth of your sorrow.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father,
Letting go and trusting You as I mourn and question why You have not blessed me with a baby can be difficult, especially when I see others make pregnancy and birth announcements. So, I ask that You strengthen and renew my You will carry me through this deep pain I am experiencing. As the waves of grief come crashing in on me, they remind my heart of my hope and purpose in Christ. Holy Spirit, help me to fix my gaze upon heaven, where the promise of eternal life awaits me. Please give me a voice to share my story of Your goodness and faithfulness during this difficult time of what often feels like unanswered prayers and unending waiting. I know You are faithful and trust You no matter the outcome. Thank You for bringing peace that passes all understanding in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Andrey Danilovich
Related Resource: How to Choose Your One Word for 2026
This month on the How to Study the Bible Podcast, we’re starting a new series called One Word 2026, and it’s meant to be a gentle but intentional way to reflect, respond, and reconnect with God as we begin the year. In this episode, I’m walking you through why I love taking the whole month of January to pause and listen — rather than rushing into resolutions or putting pressure on yourself to “get it all together” by January 1. We’re going to start with Philippians 1:3–11, where Paul reminds us that we can have real confidence because God is still working in us, and He’s not finished.
Then I’m going to share six words I’ve been praying over for our community — six spiritual intentions that I believe reflect the kind of growth God may be inviting us into this year. You don’t have to choose one right away, and you definitely don’t have to force it — but I hope that one of these words will resonate in your spirit and give you a steady anchor for 2026.
This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
