Many of the mothers who prayed in the Bible left a lasting legacy not only through their children but through their faith-filled conversations with God. From Hannah’s tearful petition for a son to Mary’s song of praise, these women show us that a mother’s prayer can shape destinies, birth miracles, and move the heart of God. Whether whispered in desperation or sung in worship, their prayers reveal a powerful truth: God listens to the cries of mothers.
- Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10–11, NIV)
“In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life…'” - Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Luke 1:46–48, NIV)
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.'” - Rebekah (Genesis 25:22–23, NIV)
“The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ So she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated…'” - Elizabeth (Luke 1:24–25, NIV)
“After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ‘The Lord has done this for me,’ she said. ‘In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.'” - The Canaanite Woman (Matthew 15:22, 28, NIV)
“A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.’”
“Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.” - The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:20–22, NIV)
“Then he cried out to the Lord, ‘Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?’ Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, ‘Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!’ The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.” - Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:17–18, NIV)
“She said to him, ‘My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the Lord your God: “Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne.” But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know about it.'” - Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5, NIV)
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” - Sarah (Genesis 21:6–7, NIV)
“Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.’ And she added, ‘Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.'” - Anna the Prophetess (Luke 2:37–38, NIV)
“She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” - Jochebed (Exodus 2:3, 9–10, NIV)
“But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.”
“Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.’ So the woman took the baby and nursed him. When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son.”