Pray About Everything
September 17th 2025 by Monet Noriega
Welcome back!
This is the second post in the series Trusting in God as a Single Mom.
Whether spoken or unspoken, at one time or another-it is a question on the minds and hearts of many single mothers: “I am all by myself, this is impossible… how can I trust God? ” While the answer seems like it should be straight forward and I find myself saying “Just trust Him!” I have found that the affirmation alone has never proven to really give me the peace of God I read about in Scripture.
Yes, trusting in God is ultimately the answer. However, the act of trusting is not always as easy as we expect or hope for it to be. Trusting someone (including God) is an active decision we make; one that can be very scary-especially when there is so much we cannot/do not know and it involves other people…namely our children. Worrisome thoughts plague the mind of the single mom, such as “What will happen to my kids if something happens to me?” “How are we going to pay for that?” “Where is that going to come from this month?” “Will my children resent me?” “How can I be a loving mom when I have the responsibility of two people…. something has to give,” or “Is any of this broken situation redeemable?” On and on the list goes, each woman with her own concerns.
In this series, Trusting in God as a Single Mom I am sharing three key concepts that can help a single mom actually grow in trusting God with practical tips that have helped me in my own walk. By approaching this topic Biblically, these life changing concepts will transform from sweet aspirations to daily living in the freedom God has given us in Christ- we can trust Him. The Maker and Sustainer of all things actually cares for you and is with you every step of the way!
Recap
Here is a recap on the top three ways a single mom can grow in trusting God:
Pray About Everything
Develop Spiritual Disciplines in the Midst of Chaos
Praying About Everything as a Single Mom
Tip before we get started: Remember that list of sample concerns I mentioned earlier? Did any resonate with you? Or did it cause you to start thinking about your own anxieties/worries/concerns? If the answer is” yes,” good, keep those in mind as you read. After reading this post, you will have a better understanding on how you can pray about them.
Foundations
IMPORTANT…Please do not skip! Before we get into practical tips, understanding these momentous Christian truths is foundational. Otherwise, it can feel like we are talking to a wall and discouragement is not far behind.
What is prayer?
Praying sounds easy for most Christians. The words “I will pray for you” or “I am praying that (fill in the blank) will happen” are strewn around like “bless you” after someone sneezes. In fact, it appears that most people, Believers in Christ and many Non-Believers, both pray.
This is something to consider…what is the difference between my prayer as a Christian and the atheist who says something like “I pray my loan is approved” with an anxious tone and her hands pressed together in a prayer position.
The greatest differences are not in the act of prayer, but in the relationship between the person praying and who they are praying to. Do you really see yourself as totally dependent on God- the One who you believe can really help you and truly cares? Or, is prayer more like a ritual to cover all of the bases-working to ensure that the “good luck” you are hoping for comes your way?
When a believer in Christ prays, she is speaking to her Father. He hears her.
Her Father is:
The Creator and Sustainer of all things (Colossians 1:16 & Hebrews 1:3)
The only One who can actually do anything about anything (1 Timothy 6:16-16)
He sees, knows and is in control over all things (Hebrews 4:13)
Works all things together for her good so that she may be conformed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29)
As Christians we are reconciled to God.
That means we are in right relationship with Him. Take a second to ruminate on that. Before you trusted in Jesus Christ, you were not in relationship with God. Now, you are His daughter. You have the privilege of boldly approaching the throne of grace as a beloved daughter-not just some damsel in distress.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
The practical tips and applications that most of us seek only really work when we are genuinely aware of the relationship you have with God-even if it is a very basic understanding…this is a life long journey.
Being in right relationship with our Creator is a BIG DEAL. The biggest. I believe we all need Gospel reminders. The churches in the Bible needed to be reminded about our relationship with God through our faith in Christ, regularly. There are many passages in Scripture, such as in 1 Peter. I would encourage you to meditate on this truth, daily.
What do I bring to God in prayer?
Here is a simple list of what to pray about, it is not everything-but, can get you started.
Requests
Confession
Broken-heartedness
Thanksgiving
Acknowledgment of who God is
All needs-provision, strength (physical, emotional, mental)
Practical Points
Tips for the praying single mom:
Understand why you pray and who you are praying to-see the Foundations section above
Carve out time to pray in addition to spontaneous prayers-I recommend getting up early, even if it is very early. If you have concerns about making time, check out the first blog in this series and read the section about Marth and Mary.
Be honest with your requests and concerns-hold nothing back! We have a Savior who can sympathize with our weakness (Hebrews 4:15). The admission of our need for Him reinforces the relationship we have as a child of God; totally dependent on Him.
Grow in patience-practice waiting on God without grumbling or complaining, this may requires confessing a lack of patience. Admit to God if you are struggling with this virtue and ask Him for help. He is all knowing and loves us-He is worthy of our patience. Think of reasons why He is trustworthy when you get discouraged.
Be willing to accept God’s will, even if it is not what you would do or how you would do it-Be honest. Are you truly willing to let your life glorify God in His way? Remember the blind man from John 9:1-12. I know that’s deep and may even sting a little… but, its true. I have found most of my angst was really unwillingness to fully submit all of my life to the Lord. If you realize you are struggling with this, confess and remember God is faithful and just to forgive and purify you according to 1 John 1:9! When you do this, there is no condemnation only real change from the inside out.
Acknowledge God in all your ways, praying about everything. A little note about the word everything…When is say “everything”, I mean everything! Here are a some examples from my own experience in no particular order:
Physical strength
Mental and emotional strength
Godly wisdom (without doublemindedness…see James 1:5)
Ability to love each child well, helping him with what he needs
Understanding priorities
Provision, in all things-financial, opportunities etc.
Endurance
Strength to stay alert and sober minded
Grow in the grace and knowledge if God
Confessions of distrust, doubt, envy, jealousy (to name a few)
A bridled tongue
Thanksgiving for “little things” I once took for granted
Thanksgiving for my salvation and eternal hope in Christ
A renewed mind
I could go on! You get the picture.
Scripture to Renew Your Mind
Note: I encourage you to read the verses I reference in the Bible within their full context. Please take some time to look at what is happening before and after the verse.
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Philippians 4:6-7…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
James 5:16-18 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
Want to know when the next part of this series is released? Click here.
Looking for more Biblical Support as a single mom? Let’s connect!