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Our Beloved Caring Father,

We have seen the arrival of our returning troops joyfully meeting their families in these past days. We have seen new mothers reuniting with their husbands and presenting their newborns to them for the first time. We have seen young service women return to take up their motherly duties once more. So many families are experiencing the deep hush of newfound love and ties. We share that joy as we witness it. At this Mother's Day time, we wish for them your blessing. Surround these precious mothers and their families and strengthen them as they move forward from the difficult days of separation and war.

We are mindful that there are yet families with their loved ones in harm's way. We ask that you will continue to surround these precious troops with our prayers as a blanket of protection and comfort while they are yet striving in the battlefields of the world. On this Mother's Day, grant a special blessing to those mothers and children (some of whom may be grown men and women!) who are separated.

We petition you for a very special grace for those mothers who have children who have been called Home to you from the fields of war and will no longer see them. Father, we ask for a special miracle of comfort and love on their behalf on this day. While their children are not here to honor these mothers, WE are. Father, somehow, let these mothers know that their children, their grown up men and women, placed their lives on the line so that we could be safe, and that WE at a very fundamental and deep level appreciate the sacrifice. Let the gratitude outpouring from our hearts find its way to the hearts of these precious women who may have a very difficult Mother's Day.

While we are certainly mindful of all the mothers involved with our troops, we are aware that you have given to each of us a precious gift: a mother. Because you have given a mother to each of us, we have the opportunity to live in this world. Your plan is to have us come into this world through the means of birth. We can breathe the clean air and see the blue sky, grow and strive to learn about you and your grace. Because you gave us a mother, we are here. Please, Father, accept our gratitude for our mothers and for this opportunity.

Much like the conductor of a large orchestra, a mother who is on her toes, is directing a constant flow of activity and energy that would quickly be reduced to cacophony without her touch. Because of the example of such mothers or motherly activity in our lives, we ourselves can find the ability by your grace, to create harmony and order in our lives despite the chaos which assails us daily.

We do honor our mothers, in your name, blessed Father, for they have carried us under their hearts to term and have kept us safe at least long enough to be launched in this world where we have somehow found you and your grace. May all have the blessing of reconnecting with you, our Father. Bless all mothers this day. Let them feel our gratitude which increases toward them as we grow in your grace and mercy.

Amen