Welcome to the Preparing For Baby series. This series will run for two weeks (Dec. 3-7 & Dec. 17-21). If you missed any past posts in the series, just click the links below.
Many prayers are said while a couple is trying to conceive a baby and during the 9 months leading up to the birth.
But don’t stop there!
Prayer is very important during the labor and delivery of the baby too. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember to pray during this time because you are all caught up in the experience and may even feel like you have lost all control. This is when it is very important to have a labor support person that shares your beliefs and desires.
Keeping Christ at the center of your birth will help tremendously with how you handle labor, the pain, and anything unexpected that comes your way.
It wasn’t until my fourth baby that I was able to experience just how effective prayer, and leaning on the Lord during labor, can help you have a positive, amazing, and super natural birth experience.
In the previous post in this series, I shared scriptures that I went to leading up to, and during the labor process. In this post, I will share prayers that I used as well as some statements or affirmations that I kept in mind (and on index cards) during labor (these are also good for your labor support person to use as well).
Pregnancy Prayer
Dear Lord:
Thank you for this contraction, Lord!!! I welcome it and know that I am one step closer to meeting my baby! I give this contraction permission to accomplish its task and I trust in my God-given instinct to birth normally and naturally, and I thank you for guiding and directing me during this process.
I have complete faith in the birth process and have peace knowing that You created me to do this! I give up control and fear and let my body take over and bringing this baby into the world. Help me to relax every muscle in my body and allow my cervix to open and help the baby move down the birth canal easily. I pray that my uterus will work perfectly and in order and the my cervix will remain supple and open.
Comfort us during this time and allow us to have the beautiful birth experience that You desire us to have. Cast out any fear that the enemy puts in our way!
Help us to have a gentle and quiet spirit, yet firm and confident during this process, so that others will see your hand at work. We praise You and thank You for Your love, for keeping us safe and for this miracle we are about to meet!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Greet each contraction with prayer! Don’t let a contraction go by without praying! Thank the Lord, acknowledge Him, praise Him! If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.
As labor progresses, it might get hard to recite such a long prayer, so I have a shortened version that I use later on.
Dear Lord:
Thank you for this contraction, Lord!!! I welcome it, and allow it to do its job!
You created me to do this!! I have faith in that! Cast away all my fears and help me relax my entire body so it can take over and bring this baby in the world.
Thank you, Lord, for Your safety and love, and this precious baby!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
And shorter yet….
Dear Lord:
Thank you for this contraction! I am one step closer to meeting this miracle! Thank you for your safety and love!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
More things to think about and/or to add to your birthing prayers:
- Jesus Christ is the most important thing we need. If we allow the peace of Christ to take over our entire being, there is no room for fear.
- Jesus Christ is our Comforter; He is the most powerful form of pain relief.
- Negative thoughts and fears are NOT from the Lord. When they begin to seep in, remind the enemy that you are saved; you are a child of God.
- Don’t say “I can’t,” or “Make it stop,” or things of that nature. Instead, think of how far you’ve already come and focus on the present. No bad thoughts, just good, prayerful thoughts!
- Do not give into the enemy’s lies. Jesus has already won the battle. The enemy will only have victory if we give in to Him. Resist the enemy and he will flee!
- Breathe in the Holy Spirit, and exhale tension.
- You will hit emotional hurdles – most likely during active labor and during transition. This is a good thing. It means you are almost there. Recognize these hurdles and tell your support person about them before labor so they can recognize them too. When you are ready to give up, remember that you are progressing to the next stage of labor and your reward is near.
Statements/Affirmations for you and/or your labor support person to use during labor:
- I can meet this challenge with God’s help.
- God is with me; He is my strength and hope.
- I’ll just take one contraction at a time; God’s grace is sufficient for me.
- I’m not going to think about the pain; I’ll look to the Lord and use relief measures.
- Anxiety if normal, but I can cast it on God.
- I don’t need to prove myself to anyone or try to pretend my pain isn’t real. The Lord knows how I feel.
- This feeling reminds me to use my relief measures and fix my eyes on Jesus.
- Doubting myself is unnecessary; I know I can do this with God’s help.
- I can’t eliminate this pain completely; I can deal with it with God’s help.
- Feeling upset won’t help; I know the Lord is with me.
- When the pain becomes intense, I will focus on Christ and on what I need to do.
- I can cope with my labor with your help, Father. I can pray about this.
- I will think and pray about what I have to do.
- Scripture passages are my best defense.
- I believe in God’s love for me no matter how difficult things get.
* I did not make up these statements; I have them on index cards from years ago and I can not find or recall the source.
Hello, I am expecting my 4th child and enjoyed reading this, looking forward to more!
Thanks for sharing this! I’m so excited to have a natural birth and rely on strength from the Lord. I love the prayers and will definitely be praying through the pain! I would love for you to link this up with my Mommy Moments Linky Party if you are up for it!
http://the-life-of-faith.blogspot.com/2012/12/mommy-moments-22.html
Pray for me, waiting for my contraction but not coming, I have passed my due date , one week, please members pray for me so that my contraction can start.
I’ll sure try, but my prayer is probably going to be more like “Oh God, please make it stop. Please take the pain away and let it be over as quickly as possible!!!” 🙂
This is such an encouragement to those in labor or who will labor soon. I have seen so many who are pregnant who linked up with me this past week over at WholeHearted Home. This is a needed ministry and a blessing to be posted on my blog. Thanks 🙂
These are very encouraging words!! I wish I had someone remind me to pray during labor, but it ended in C-section each time. The Lord was so good! Thank you for sharing this at Deep Roots At Home. I hope you can contribute every week! Excellent post!
I need to revisit this post if I should ever find myself expecting again!! My last labor went on for more than 17 hours before my twins were delivered by c-section. I felt His hand on my nerves and heart that night! So glad you stopped by to link-up last Wednesday. It’s always a pleasure to visit you here!
I have done some reading on hypnobirthing although it comes from a more secular point of view these prayers and affirmations add Christ to the things I’ve been reading! Thanks for sharing I will definitely be using these!
Hi!
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m giving birth anytime soon and this is my first. I know I can do this but I don’t know how much pain I can take. This prayer & all the reminders remind me of God’s love and faithfulness. I’m scared but I know God will help me endure all the pain. I know that I can do this with Him, and only through Him. For He was the One who gave this miracle to me which I had prayed for a few years back. Now that I’m finally closer to meeting God’s answer to my prayer, I am lifting everything to Him – every pain, every tear that I’ll shed, every joy that I’ll be feeling — and that He’d protect me and my baby and keep us safe.
God bless you and your family! 🙂
thanku for sharing this prayer. God bls u n ur entire family. It really gvs hope n strength. I wil be delivering my 1st baby in coming day. Pls pray 4 me m scared but i trust my lord that he wil tc of me n my child every moment.
Thank you for these prayers. I am in deep anxiety right now as I am saying this but I know everything will be alright through God’s grace!
Thank you for the wonderful prayers. I am 35 weeks pregnant and going through a lot I need God’s mercy.
I googled labor & delivery prayers and found your site. My wife and I are first time grandparents for our first born daughter and are here at the hospital to support her and her husband in delivering their first boy. These prayers and declarations are helping us to help her. We believe God for a safe delivery with both healthy daughter and grandson.
Oh this warms my heart! Congratulations on becoming grandparents! Hoping and praying along with you for a healthy and safe labor and delivery!
thank for thse advice am 33 weeks now to labor. i need ths prayer much more.
I am so happy i found this website. Praise the Lord, Alleluia!! I am 38 weeks pregnant and my date is due very soon. These prayers are very encouraging and peaceful. I will surely use it during my labour pain. I am very scared but at the same time excited too for the new arrival of our baby. Please pray for me to have a safe, happy, normal and painless delivery. Yes i will keep praying all through out my contractions and will make sure that the Lord is with me in my difficult moments. These prayers are really very helpful.
Hi Marilyn – I’m so glad you found these prayers helpful! I will keep you in my prayers during the next several weeks. What a wonderful Christmas present you are getting!
Thank you for the prayer.ln the hospital about to be induced.This is my first pregnancy and all l can say is his grace is always sufficient enough for me. Casting all my fears unto him
I will definitely be using these prayers and affirmations during labor. I’m 36 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child, and have been feeling anxious and scared but after reading these prayers I have the strength and assurance that all is well in Jesus Name! Thank you for this website!
Thank you for your prayers. My daughter was induced this morning and my son in law just prayed this prayer over our daughter. Our granddaughter is on her way. Thank you Jesus!
I need your fervent prayer for safe delivery of my daughter in-law Rita ( i e my son’s wife ) Pls
My wife is in labour now ,I need your prayer
Thank you Lord i am ready to meet your miraclef
I am 38 weeks now and I’ve been having pains for weeks now but after I read this prayers I believe that God is able and what is impossible with man, it is possible with God. Thank you very much and God bless you
Thanks for these prayers!
My daughter is being induced this morning. I sent her your link and to her mother in law and my mother in law. Wihere 2 or more gather in his name I will be there. This will be our first grandchild; it’s a girl. Please join us in prayer for a vaginal birth for a heathly and safe delivery.
Congrats Pauline! Praying everything went well and everyone is loving on that new baby girl!!
Oh, this is wonderful! I will be sharing these prayers and affirmations with my husband and sister, who will both be attending the birth of our first child this fall. Thank you!
Please help me pray for my daughter who is in labor as speak. May God send his angels to guide & protect her & my soon to be born grandson. May she praise through each contractions as we we closer & closer the safe arrival of my first grandson. I pray for your Devine presence in that labour ward. Grant Drs & nurses the wisdom & utmost care for both mother & child. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Absolutely!!
I am so blessed! I am 39 wks turning 40 on Sunday. The Lord truly directed me to your page so I will feel bless as well.
Thank you so much for this resource. My daughter is due in a few days and due to COVID-19 I may not be able to support her in person. I will pray with her virtually and remind her of techniques of relaxation. I will recite affirmations with her. She was built for this! She can breath in the Holy Spirit breath out tension. May God bless you!