Maybe you’ve just found out that you or your partner is pregnant. Or, like me, you have only a few short weeks before your baby makes its debut. Or you’re somewhere in between. Just know,
It’s never too early or too late to start praying for your baby!
Prayer is one of easiest, yet long-lasting gifts you can give your baby. Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that God already has an intimate relationship with your child, so praying with and for your baby during pregnancy (and beyond) is a habit that will help him or her get to know and love Him on their own! Instilling faith-based habits will be that much easier if you start developing those habits before his/her arrival.
What is currently my private prayer time or time I spend in prayer with D, will naturally make way for family prayer time with the baby. I mean, the baby’s a part of all my prayer sessions by default right now!
Without a doubt, praying for my baby has also been a huge gift for me, personally, during this season. As I’ve battled with intense sickness and discomfort, in addition to feeling anxious about the baby’s health along the way, I’ve felt a bit disconnected from the little human growing inside me at time. But as I’ve gotten in a groove of praying for him/her, I feel like I’m laying the foundation of our budding relationship as mother and child.
Are you looking to start praying for your unborn baby (or a loved one’s baby whose arrival you are eagerly anticipating)? Here’s a list of 10 scriptures I’ve gotten in the habit of praying over my soon-to-be-born baby!
Jeremiah 24:7
First and foremost, I pray our child will believe in and love God. I know a lot of this will have to do with our household, our child’s future experiences with church, and a ton of other outside forces, but for now, I’m simply praying that he/she will develop a strong foundational relationship with the Lord.
I pray that our baby experiences the love of God early and regularly. And, through our example, that they develop a personal and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Matthew 22:37-39
These three verses are the foundation of our faith as Christians, spoken by our Savior, Jesus Christ. So in addition to praying that our child grows to love and trust the Lord, I pray that our child loves their neighbors, just as Jesus did.
As Christians, we are called to demonstrate love, compassion, and grace to our neighbors, no matter their faith, appearance, nationality, or background. I pray that our child carries this calling forth and loves his / her neighbor in thought as action, as a member of our community, as an American, and as a global citizen.
Psalm 139:14
Knowing that our child is being born into a worldly culture during the age of social media and information overload, I pray our baby sees him/herself first and foremost in the image of God. No matter their shape, size, color, weight, and other physical attributes, I pray their confidence stems from their faith that God designed them with purpose and intention. I hope they cherish their quirks and unique attributes as evidence of His specific plan for their life.
Romans 8:28
I love this verse—this chapter—in Romans so much, and I pray it over our baby often, asking for God’s protection and favor throughout my pregnancy. In the months and years and decades to come, I hope our baby sees this verse lived out, bearing witness to God’s provision for those who trust in Him.
I pray that our child is made boldly aware of the love God has for him/her, as well as the purpose He has laid out for them. Through any circumstance, I hope they hold our unwavering faith that God is working in their favor.
Isaiah 41:10
For so many reasons, I hope our child becomes intimately familiar with this verse. As humans—as Christians—there is a guarantee that we will experience pain, loss, and hardship in our lifetimes. I pray that, even when the circumstances seem too difficult to recover from, our baby will learn to lean further into (instead of away from) God.
Our Heavenly Father is always with us, thus we have no need to be fearful and distressed. When he/she stumbles, is threatened, is uncertain, or is confused, I pray our child welcomes God in to nourish and help them.
Jeremiah 29:11
I pray our baby grows to recognize that God’s plan is intentional and perfect! I pray they will humbly open their heart and mind to what God sees fit for their life, even if they’re not always sure where He is calling them to.
By welcoming God into our daily lives, and offering up our obedience, He can reveal true happiness and blessings for us. All in all, I pray that as my child grows, their life is prosperous—in their relationships, in self fulfillment, in love, and in happiness.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
We are not designed to live life in isolation, and I pray our baby becomes a part of great communities during his/her life. I hope they develop strong and meaningful friendships and partnerships through the years. I pray they have the discernment to recognize when relationships are not healthy, are not serving them, or are not helping them grow into the person they want to be.
And, most of all, I pray they are a loyal and steadfast friend to those in their life.
2 Timothy 1:7
As we raise our baby and watch him/her grow, it will be impossible to shield them from the threats of the enemy—y’all, the devil is real! I pray that our child, when faced with those threats, is courageous and bold. I pray our child exudes these fruits of the spirit day to day, in various situations and circumstances.
James 1:17
Without a doubt, our baby will be born into a position of privilege, compared to so many babies born to families across our country and the world. Their core needs, plus so much more, will be met by what we can afford and what we have access to. Simply put, we have been blessed. Considering both what we have and what we do not, I hope our child has a posture of humility and gratitude.
I’m praying our child recognizes every blessing and every trial he/she faces as an opportunity to seek and honor God. I pray they recognize God’s consistent and unfailing love for them, even when they feel alone.
Luke 1:37
Lastly, I pray our child remains steadfast in their faith in what God can do, build, transform, and revive. Our God is a healer and a redeemer. And when things feel most difficult or out of reach, I pray that our baby trusts in Him to do what seems impossible.
I hope this list is a helping starting, or continuation, point for you as you pray for your unborn child. There are countless scriptures in the Bible we can pray over during this journey, but I hope these ten take some of the overwhelm out of praying and you can just get started!
I know there’s so much you want for your baby, but remind yourself that the gift of prayer and relationship with God is the best gift you can offer them right now. Our Heavenly Father is listening and wants what’s best for all of us. We just have to welcome Him in.
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