Scripture doesn’t give us many details about David’s mother, but a single sentence in Psalm 86 reveals so much about her. The passage is titled “A Prayer of David,” and the poet king is again in a desperate place. “Arrogant foes are attacking me,” he writes. “Ruthless people are trying to kill me.”

And in his desperation, David calls out to God. “Turn to me and have mercy on me; Show your strength in behalf of your servant; Save me, because I serve you, just as my mother did.”

In a most challenging moment, David remembers his mother. He remembers her faith. He remembers her strength. He remembers her example, and it points him to God.

We remember our mothers and the women who mother us, the women who help us see and feel and know God’s presence. As we approach Mother’s Day, let’s pray for all women who care and share, who provide and protect, who listen and encourage.

I searched for a definition of “mother” as a verb and found this: “to treat a person with great kindness and love and to try to protect them from anything dangerous or difficult.” Let’s pray for the women who mother us with kindness and love and keep us from all things dangerous and difficult.

On May 5, as the sun sets around 8:21 p.m., from wherever you are, with whoever wants to join you, let’s pray together for mothers and grandmothers, for aunts and sisters, for stepmothers and adoptive mothers, for pastors and teachers, for wives and partners, for neighbors, and for the women in church families.

Lord, we begin with a prayer of thanksgiving for the women who share your Love and Light.

And we remember those who are grieving or distanced or aching as Mother’s Day nears. Comfort them.

Lord, we lift the mothers of infants, children, youth, and adults. Lord, we lift all the women who treat us with kindness and love. Bless them with peace and patience, strength and courage, insight and imagination, rest and renewal. Help them persist through the challenges and revel in the joy. Nourish them. Lord, show us how we can assist and encourage them. And, Lord, let them feel your presence. Let them know that, like David, we will remember their love and labor in the most challenging moments.

Amen.