Many of us have experienced real loss over the last year and a half.  And in that loss there is grief.  But is it a grief we acknowledge to ourselves, to God?

I've talked and prayed for a good handful of people who have men in their life who, over the last year or so, have been overcome by anxiety, who are shut down and inaccessible.  Their loved ones are afraid, and do not know what to do.  

God knows all about the hidden, suppressed, overwhelming grief.  Interestingly, during my "career" (really a call) of interceding for others, one of the most consistent messages that the Holy Spirit impresses upon me is that many of His people are grieving, and need to come into His presence for healing.  This requires openness in His presence and being vulnerable with God. 

But will you do that?  (Pause and consider.)  When is the last time you went to your Heavenly Father and shared your sorrow with him?  Are you always trying to keep it together when you talk to Him? 

He wants to comfort you.  

Psalm 34:18- The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Healing requires we do not stuff, hide or stop emotion that feels uncomfortable.  Some attempt to talk things through with others, and find comfort.  Some go to a counselor and find help.  Some think a pill is the answer to manage the complexities of their soul.  But these all come up short. 

There is nothing like being held in the strong and safe arms of Jesus.  He has a supply for you that no man knows anything about.  He has the power and willingness to supernaturally reach in and heal you in ways no one else can.  He puts people back in their right mind. He takes bad memories.  He reframes hopelessness.  He heals the darkest, most disturbing things that are stealing your peace.  

But... 

We resist.  We need to stop resisting. We need to let down our walls.  We need to give Him the opportunity.  We need to grieve in His presence. We can bring Him the deepest hurts and He will heal. 

I'm not going to take time now to go in depth with my personal story, but know I have experienced deep healings in mind and heart (and body!)  through letting God into my grief, I specifically looked to Him as my central resource for deep healing.  He promised me He would heal me, and I believed Him.  It was not a one and done moment, it took a good couple of years to do some really deep work, but as I tasted each new freedom, from that which held me captive, I was made new with purpose, peace, joy health, wisdom, strength, discernment, etc..  So I have I continued investing in His presence and ways!  How can I not?  He captured my heart in the process!  

He wants to capture yours too!

I encourage you to listen to episode #290 of the Peace Be Still podcast for a similar message and interactive session.  He is the God who collects our tears. He knows your pain.  He suffered to levels we know nothing about in order to know our pain.  Let Him minister to you.  Believe!  God does not change.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!  Our living God still heals!

Some scriptures on mothers:

Ephesians 6:1-2 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 

Matthew 12:48-50- He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Isaiah 40:11- He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.

Psalm 139:13-14- For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.

Proverbs 23:25- May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful!

Titus 2:3-4- Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,​

  PRAYER:

We celebrate mothers today Lord! We're thankful, reflective and wanting our mothers to know we honor them.  Help us love them deeply; and wherever there may be strain, lead us to forgive our mothers and love them as directed by you. 

We want our mothers to know you and ask that you bless them with a fresh revelation from the Spirit.  May they receive holy promise, and be led with your life and power.  God we praise you for your perfect design for them to carry new life, deliver, and nurture.  May each mother know that you see them, love them, want to bless them.

May we freshly express to our human mothers and spiritual mothers that they are honored for their countless selfless sacrifices, their tender mercies, their protective love, their longing to do the best that they can with what they know.  Bless them with your presence God.  Reveal yourself to them in their deepest area of need.  Let them know you see their tears, understand their worries, connect with their longings for their families, and celebrate their victories. 

Lift her face to look at you and be transformed by your love and light. 

Pause and agree.  "Yes LORD, transform _______ (insert mother's name) by your love and light."

Direct her thoughts to reflect on what is good, holy, and pure. 

Help each mother hold on to hope in the midst of storms.  To believe nothing shall be impossible with you God.  Encourage their hearts that you hear their cries for their families.  

Help her cast her cares on you Jesus, to be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayers and persistence to submit her requests to you and then trust.  Help her let go for the peace of God that transcends all understanding to guard her heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Strengthen her with power that comes from the Spirit for every need. 

By faith we bless mothers with gifts from on high, for every good and perfect gift comes from above from the Father of Heavenly lights, in whom there is no shadow of turning.  We acknowledge Jesus that you have designed mothers to be like a glue that holds the family together.  Help them in the daily battle to keep things running smoothly, and to be sustained in the chaos!  Encourage her to gather her family for family time, to represent your will and ways to her children and/or  grandchildren, to have opportunity to renew herself in body, mind, and spirit.  Let her be a beautiful expression of your mercies and power and love and truth to the children under her care.  Let her greatest longing as a mom be one of a spiritual mother, intent to instill godly values and promise into the children under her wings. 

Sustain and heal families with your power.  Keep moms' hearts soft and pliable, open and receptive to your work, will, and Spirit.  Let them not become weary in doing good, for they shall reap a harvest in due time.  Teach them to cling to you in these days, reminding them that they are your child first and foremost, and they need to be held like a child by you, sustained and helped by you to be the mom they long to be. 

Thank you Jesus; for the beauty and transformative work of motherhood.  Bless this one as they rise in your graces.  Let others notice the beauty that becomes evident after spending this time in your presence.  Amen.

Do you know a mom that needs this blessing?  Will you please forward this to them?  Multiply this prayer to mothers!  Today's podcast is a similar prayer exercise to listen in and follow along found here- ​https://www.spreaker.com/user/12247282/280-friend-fri-a-prayer-of-blessing-for-