I have heard through my adult life about the “Proverbs 31 woman.” I’ve read Proverbs 31 and thought about what it means. It sounds fantastic and a wonderful way to live my life. But what does it look like each day? Make clothes for my family? I’m pretty sure I’ll never live up to that expectation! Especially when my girls save their torn shirts or missing buttons for Grammy (my mom) to fix! So, I’ve asked the Lord to show me what it truly means. How can I put these principles into practice in a modern world? How do I honor Him in the way I live my life and care for my family? God showed me how to be a modern “Proverbs 31 mom” through several key verses with a prayer for each one.
She Is Respectable
“Her husband trusts her without reserve” (v. 11 MSG).
Prayer: Lord, teach me to honor my husband in the way that I speak to and about him. Give me Your eyes for him (even if he is being annoying). Give me patience and understanding in our conversations each day. Show me what he needs to feel honored and loved by You and me.
She Is Brave
“She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar” (v. 14 NLT).
Prayer: Lord, You make me brave and give me the words to speak when going about my day. Make me a light everywhere I go. Allow others to see You through me in the things that I do, the way that I react, and the words that I speak. Let others seek You because of their interactions with me.
She Is Prepared
“She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work” (v. 15 NLT).
Prayer: Lord, I’m not getting up at 4 a.m. to make pancakes, but show me how to be prepared for my day. Allow me the time to plan for the day so all is taken care of. Give me the creative thinking that I need to be able to help my kids be who You have created them to be. Show me the tools I need to help organize each day in a way that is right and orderly.
She Is Strong
“She is energetic and strong, a hard worker” (v. 17 NLT).
Prayer: Lord, give me the rest I need to live each day with energy and strength. Give me Your supernatural energy to be able to work hard at the job You have provided for me and accomplish everything that I need to accomplish at work (even when I’ve been up all night caring for a sick baby). Strengthen my heart and my thoughts toward those I work with and give me the energy to keep up with all that I am tasked to do.
She Is Frugal
“She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night” (v. 18 NLT).
Prayer: Lord, allow me to be wise and profitable with the money You have blessed me with. When it seems like there isn’t enough, Lord, allow me to make the right decisions, to find the good deals, to come across the right coupons or the sales for the things that my family needs. You are my family’s provision, and I count on You to show me how to save and spend.
She Is Giving
“She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy” (v. 20 NLT).
Prayer: Lord, give me the opportunities to give to those in need. When I cannot find them, bring people who are in need to me, so I can open my arms to them and show them Your love. Provide those moments when, if the need is not physical, I might supply a needed smile or compliment. Make my heart sensitive to those moments and allow me to be the giver that You are.
She Is Fearless
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future” (v. 25 NLT)
Prayer: Lord, You are my strength and my joy. Keep me in Your presence, so no matter what I might face today, I know that You are there and will carry me through. I will not fear about tomorrow, and I will not worry about my kids, because You have them in Your hands. My future and my family’s future are written by You. I have joy and a smile in knowing that You have it all planned out!
She Is Kind
“When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness” (v. 26 NLT)
Prayer: Lord, guard my mouth to speak wisdom and kindness throughout my day. When I get upset, remind me to stop for a second before spewing something mean or nasty (when that lady just took my spot in the Costco parking lot). Allow me to be gracious and patient with those I work with, instructing them kindly to help them understand ways of doing things. Let my words always honor You, and never be abrupt or anxious.
She Is Observant
“She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness” (v. 27 NLT).
Prayer: Lord, help me to be conscious and observant about the happenings within my family. Open my eyes to the things that may be against Your will and Your plan for my kids and family. Give me the words and actions to give control of those things to You.
She Is Worthy
“Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her”(v. 28 NLT).
Prayer: Lord, give me eyes to see myself as You see me. I am blessed and worthy of the life You have given me. It may not be perfect (and it’s sometimes hectic), but You have given me all that I need, and You provide for my kids and my husband in ways I cannot. Allow me to see the beauty in my crazy busy day. Show me Your goodness and Your belief that I am worthy of every single moment!
Make this my daily prayer, so that I can become the woman of God, the “Proverbs 31 mom” who You have called me to be! I can be all of this to my family with Your help, Lord…and I still don’t have to know how to sew!
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