Praying Through Your Pregnancy

Week by week throughout this pregnancy Jonathan and I have been reading the book, Praying Through Your Pregnancy by Jennifer Polimino and Carolyn Warren. It’s been quite an inspirational read and fulfills the inner nerd in me that gets retardedly giddy over any form of checklists. What are we praying for this week? This, this, and this? I’M ON IT!

Also? It’s helped me put things into their proper perspective. When it comes to family life, people often get distracted with material, tangible things – when having a firm spiritual foundation in prayer is the most important aspect of a Christian home. Jonathan and I have made praying together for Tessa a priority in our family. The prayers you speak during pregnancy will quite literally be the first prayers your baby will hear.

It’s amazing, awe-inspiring and sobering to think that even before your baby was conceived, he or she was on God’s calendar! Scripture says:

“I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born.” – Jeremiah 1:5

God has incredible plans for your child, and it is never too late or too early to begin praying for His power and protection over your precious baby’s life. As Christian mothers it is our job to spiritually – not just physically – nurture our children.

Regardless of circumstances in life, prayer is quite literally one of the most important things a Christian can do. Prayer is so powerful. Each time you take your thoughts, your worries, your cares and your concerns to the throne of God, it builds confidence in your Creator, and reduces stress and anxiety as your trust grows in Him.

There’s no “trick” to prayer – simply talk to God about anything and everything you can possibly think of regarding your baby during your nine months of pregnancy. God is real and nothing is too big or too small for him!

My problem when it comes to prayer is that my head is a very loud place. I get easily distracted; other thoughts constantly push me out of my quiet zone. This applies to general periods of relaxation / meditation / breathing exercises as well as times when I try to clear my mind and simply focus on talking to God. This is why I find this book so helpful. Having topics to focus on week by week, and relevant Scripture to meditate on, really does help me to pray much more effectively.

Here are some basic things you can (and should!) pray for you unborn child:

PRAY FOR PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Each week, research to find out what is developing in your baby’s body and pray specifically for that body part as it grows and develops.

Pray for your child’s overall and long-term health and growth, that all things proceed as they were designed to as your baby is knit together in your womb.

Pray that any family or genetic traits or illnesses that you or loved ones suffered from, will not affect your baby.

PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Pray for wisdom for your child and a mind that thirsts after Gods Holy Word.

Pray that your child have a heart that longs for God and strives to please the Lord.

Each week, focus on a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and claim Gods promises and blessings for your child. Pray for a sensitive and discerning spirit to be fostered within your child as she grows.

PRAY FOR PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT

Pray for what kind of person your child will grow up to be. Pray that whatever life throws at your child, they will become stronger and better because of it – through good times and bad.

Look at and access the areas of weakness within yourself and your spouse – these are generally the areas that we pass on to our children. If you are impatient, pray for patience for your child. If you are quick to anger, pray for a spirit of peace for your child. And so on and so on.

Pray for aspects you admire in others: a sense of humor, a quick wit, a creative mind, a carefree spirit. In praying for these virtues in your children, you will be setting the tone to foster these traits in them as they grow.

PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDS FUTURE

Pray for joy and happiness in your child’s life, and an unbreakable spirit.

Pray that whatever God has planned for your child, that they will walk the path carved for them before the world began. Pray that they fulfill their purpose in this life.

Pray for your childs future spouse, and for their parents. Pray for your child’s future friends. God is omnipotent and omniscient, these prayers – while seemingly putting the cart before the horse – are not trivial or out of place to an Almighty God!

PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY

Pray for protection for your family – financially, physically and spiritually.

Pray for future children, if you intend to have more. Pray for your current child and your future child’s relationship as siblings.

Pray for you and your spouse, that God will equip you to be the parents that you need to be to raise up your child in the way they should go.

For more inspiration, or to post prayer requests on the public forum and prayer network, you can check out the Praying Through Your Pregnancy books interactive website here.