Prayers for a weary heart

Lessons from a desperate mother

The following essay is the first reflection for our April focus on the spiritual practice of Prayer. Read more here about our exploration of the spiritual disciplines in 2025 through creative and reflective writing.

By Grace Thomas

Photo credit: Grace Thomas

I sigh as I open my list of prayer requests. It's filled with events, people, and ministries. Some prayers are answered, others are not, and some remain uncertain. Often, I get discouraged because things aren't working out as I'd like them to.

I know God is the perfect author and heavenly Father, but that's hard to trust. Why would He allow an extended time of suffering or pain? How come He's writing the story this way instead of that way? Can we still trust Him even if the future is shaky?

When I question my faith, I consider examples in the Bible—men and women who have walked before me and demonstrated God's goodness. One of my favorite examples is Hannah's life.

She prayed through adversity even when her rival provoked and irritated her for years. Hannah was so distraught that she wept and didn't eat, but she stayed faithful to the Lord. She didn't take vengeance on others; she cried out to God. How do we respond when we're in anguish but others are rejoicing?

In 1 Samuel, Eli, the priest, noticed her as she wept bitterly. She begged God for a son and cried out, "O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head" (1 Sam 1:11).

What do we notice about this prayer? It's the first time this name of God is used, Lord of hosts. Hannah realizes that God is in charge in heaven and earth. After acknowledging God as powerful, she asks for help and describes herself as a servant. Hannah vows to give her son to the Lord. She asks for a child to benefit God's kingdom and knows her son is not her own. What a powerful reminder for mothers.

As I raise my two young children, I’m reminded that I can cry out to God in the changing seasons of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. God may not take away my pain or trials, but He hears and loves me. Instead of bottling in all my changing emotions, I can cry out to God like Hannah and trust Him for the outcome.

How about us? Are we offering prayers of petition amid adversity? Are we crying out to God even if others may misunderstand us? Do we know the names and characteristics of God?

Prayer invites us to talk to God when we're upset or joyful. Regardless of our circumstance or season, we can go to the throne of grace, "Let us then come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:16).

We have a Father who fully knows and understands us. When we want to take matters into our own hands, we can fold our hands in surrender and offer prayers to the God who knows and loves us more than we can imagine.

Grace Thomas is a Christ-follower, wife, and mother. When she’s not playing with her children, she serves at her church and enjoys living in sunny California. You can listen to conversations about embracing motherhood with renewed minds on her podcast Gracenotes. You can connect with her on her blog Gracenotes and Instagram (@gracenotes365).

---

SAVE THE DATE - upcoming webinar

Coming Back to Your Body: Somatic Exercises to Restore and Reintegrate the Writer

April 10 - 1pm ET / 10am PT

Keeping your butt in the chair gets words on the page, but little to no movement for hours on end can have a negative impact on your body. Neck and shoulder tension, tight hips, back pain, shallow breathing, and a stressed nervous system don't feel good, but they can also restrict your creativity from moving freely.

Get your flow back! Join Michelle Stiffler for breathwork and somatic exercises designed to integrate you—body, mind, and spirit.

This webinar is free for Redbud Writers Guild members (no need to register), $15 for non-members. All proceeds go to support our Women of Color Mentoring Program.

Recordings will be sent to everyone who is registered.

About Our Presenter:

Michelle Stiffler is a trauma-informed somatic coach, somatic EMDR practitioner, yoga and barre instructor, and personal trainer. Blending these body-based approaches, she's created Sincerity Method, a wellness modality that integrates body, mind, and spirit. In addition to her wellness work, Michelle is a speaker and podcast co-host for the Arizona Trauma-informed Faith Coalition, and the writer of One More Truth on Substack. Michelle is a desert dweller who's passionate about early morning prayer, sunrises, baking, and quality time with her husband, four kids, sons in law, and two grandsons.