Prayer for the Day

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Religion & Ethics

BBC Radio 4 FM

Prayer for the Day: 17/10/2022

17/10/2022

BBC Radio 4 - Prayer for the Day, 17/10/2022

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Ruth Yimika Afolabi.

Good Morning.

I recently became a mother and the journey to get here has been interesting. Growing up as a woman in society, motherhood was always something that I was told I should desire and be adamantly planning towards. Rather than thinking about motherhood however, I’d often been more tunnel visioned about my passions and truth be told, I never felt particularly broody. When I fell pregnant in 2021, I was filled with a mix of varying emotions from immense gratitude to anxiety. 

As the weeks developed in my pregnancy, the sense of excitement over the new life my husband and I were going to bring into the world was overriding. One morning in mid-April I began having cramps and not long after, I was alone in a hospital room being told that I had lost the baby. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel angry, guilty and embarrassed because we told our friends and family. I felt like I was supposed to be this woman full of faith, but here I was struggling and fearful. 

After months of healing - physically, mentally and spiritually, - I became pregnant in the summer. Even though we’d lost our first pregnancy, I felt a sense of peace during this pregnancy, as I felt surrendered to God’s plan. 

This year, I gave birth to my daughter and she has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Even though motherhood has come with sleepless nights and moments of doubt, every day, I look at my daughter and thank God for the blessing she is. 

If you desire to be on the journey of parenthood, or are in it - I pray that God will bring you joy and comfort on this journey. Whatever struggle, decision or emotion you might be facing about parenting, I pray that God surrounds you with a supportive circle and gives you the courage to share with them the lows and also the highs.


Details of help and support with pregnancy related issues, including child bereavement, are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Prayer for the Day

17/10/2022

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4