Prayer, Trust, and Promises: Becoming the Mother God Designed You to Be

In her powerful Mother's Day message, Pastor Purity Muthoni of the Pool of Healing Ministry in Nairobi, Kenya, delivers a transformative sermon on being a Godly Mom. Drawing from the biblical story of Hannah in 1 Samuel, she offers profound insights about motherhood that resonate deeply with women everywhere, regardless of their circumstances or challenges. The message serves as both encouragement and instruction for mothers seeking to glorify God through their parenting journey.

Pastor Purity begins by acknowledging a fundamental truth: motherhood is inherently difficult. It involves sleepless nights, thankless tasks, and often more than one's fair share of troubles. Yet despite these challenges, she reminds us that God has specifically designed mothers with caring hearts to navigate these difficulties. This divine design, however, doesn't eliminate the struggles of motherhood. Instead, it equips women to face these challenges while glorifying God through them. This perspective immediately offers comfort to mothers who might feel that their struggles indicate failure or lack of godliness.

The sermon explores Hannah's story as a model for godly motherhood, beginning with the painful reality that Hannah faced: she was unable to bear children while her husband's other wife, Peninnah, had several. Pastor Purity uses this example to illustrate her first point: godly mothers will face problems. This counteracts the common misconception that living godly lives shields us from difficulties. Citing John 16:33 and 2 Timothy 3:12, she establishes the biblical truth that troubles and persecution are expected parts of the Christian journey. Hannah's story exemplifies this reality, as she endured not only the pain of childlessness but also Peninnah's deliberate provocations that left her in tears and unable to eat. This powerful illustration speaks directly to women experiencing various forms of suffering, whether related to fertility, relationships, or other life challenges.

The sermon then presents prayer as the godly mother's response to problems. Rather than fighting back against Peninnah or abandoning hope, Hannah "poured out her soul to the Lord." Pastor Purity emphasizes that difficult circumstances teach perseverance and reliance on God. She encourages mothers to be authentic in their prayers, expressing their true feelings to God rather than putting on a façade of having everything together. This teaching on prayer offers practical guidance for mothers navigating their own challenges, showing them that bringing their burdens to God is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom and faith.

A third crucial aspect of godly motherhood highlighted in the sermon is trusting God's provision. Pastor Purity notes that even before Hannah conceived Samuel, God provided her with peace. Citing Philippians 4:6-7, she explains that God's provision isn't always about changing our circumstances but sometimes about changing us through his peace "which transcends all understanding." This powerful truth helps mothers shift their focus from demanding specific outcomes to trusting God's sovereignty and goodness in all situations. The lesson from Philippians 4:11-13 about contentment in all circumstances further reinforces this principle of divine provision.

The sermon continues by addressing the importance of keeping promises, as Hannah did when she dedicated Samuel to the Lord's service. Pastor Purity acknowledges the difficulty of Hannah's decision to give up her long-awaited son, yet praises her faithfulness to her vow. This example challenges mothers to consider whether they are raising their children to trust and serve the Lord, even when it requires personal sacrifice. The ultimate goal of parenting, Pastor Purity asserts, is not worldly success but teaching children to walk in God's ways. This counter-cultural perspective redefines successful motherhood according to biblical rather than societal standards.

The final attribute of a godly mother that Pastor Purity identifies is praise. Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-2 demonstrates that despite giving up her son, she rejoiced in the Lord. This example encourages mothers to praise God in all circumstances—whether in abundance or lack, whether their children are doing well or struggling. The sermon concludes with a heartfelt prayer blessing mothers and encouraging them that they don't have to face their challenges alone. In Jesus Christ, they can find the help and provision they need for the demanding yet sacred task of motherhood.