A Mother’s Prayers

“‘Oh, my lord! . . . I am the woman who stood here beside you . . . For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.’ And he worshiped the Lord there.” 1 Samuel 1:26-28 NASB

Philip Bilhorn was both a prolific composer and a passionate Believer. Born in Mendota, Illinois, in 1865, he combined these talents by writing more than 2,000 hymns and songs, many of them during his work for evangelist Billy Sunday.
In 1896, as he realized the role that his mother played in his life, his thoughts turned to music. He expressed his convictions in a song called “My Name in Mother’s Prayer.”
He wrote about his “days of careless youth, when life was fair and bright.” Often, he had passed his mother in prayer and saw her kneeling. He heard her call out his name. Her prayers did not mean much to him at the time.
But after she died, Bilhorn remembered how she had prayed for him. As he thought of all of her prayers, he looked forward to seeing her “when I cross the Jordan’s tide, and meet her over there,” when they would praise the Lord together.
Many people know how powerful a mother’s prayers can be in the lives of their children. How many women have been like Hannah, who have diligently prayed for their children and dedicated them to the Lord. Like Hannah, they have seen the fruit of their prayers in the lives of their children.
Today, remember your mother, whether or not she is alive. And, whether you are a mother or father, or have no children, remember the power of prayer. Pray for your children, your family, your country, and this world. And remember to pray for people by name.

Prayer: Father, I commit these people to You: _________. Thank You for all of those who have prayed for me. Bless all mothers. Use them to establish Godly principles in families. In Jesus’ name. Amen.