You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

—Psalm 139:15

Pregnancy is a phenomenal time like no other, filled with preparation and anxiety, excitement and hope. By its very nature, pregnancy also means continuous growth and change. What remains constant is God’s love and care for babies, mothers, and their families. We need only remember to call on him, praise him, thank him, and ask for his help during this special journey.

A Prayer for Baby is a forty-week pregnancy devotional, with Scripture-based prayers meant to encourage and comfort expectant mothers. It is also a learning tool, as the prayers and Bible verses are intertwined with information about the baby’s development inside the womb. Knowing exactly what is happening during each stage of pregnancy allows you to pray for the specific steps in your baby’s mental, spiritual, and physical growth. With scientific evidence pointing to possible benefits of reading to unborn children, you may even want to read the prayers aloud.

Finally, this book is a place for expectant mothers to share their own concerns, dreams, and reflections. Using the designated pages to write notes to your baby turns a series of devotionals into a personal keepsake. Whether you give this to yourself or someone you know, A Prayer for Baby is a daily reminder of God’s wondrous work and gift of creation.

Week 9

“The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.” Psalm 115:14

Day 1

GOD, We are amazed at Your work; and we thank You for the opportunity to carry life in our womb. We cannot deny that great and wonderful are Your works (Revelations 15:3). As baby’s heart completes the process of dividing into four chambers, we pray that each chamber is properly formed and perfectly functional. Thank You that the valves now forming between the chambers of baby’s heart are wonderfully made. We thank You that the leaflets of baby’s valves open and close fully with perfect timing to allow blood to flow in the proper direction to the proper location(s) of baby’s heart. Thank You that baby never suffers from a defective heart valve or infection due to the activity of the heart valve(s). Lord, please give baby a heart to know You (Jeremiah 24:7). In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Day 2

GOD, Thank You for being our provider - Jehovah Jireh – for it is You that supplies all our need according to Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Please continue to provide proper nutrients and oxygen to baby for baby’s healthy growth and development. Thank You for blessing the growth and formation of baby’s teeth beneath the gums. Although it will be a while before baby may utilize these teeth, please bless them to remain healthy and grow in properly. We thank You that “teething time” will not be a trying time for mommy. As baby’s teeth grow in please allow this to be a fun and painless transition for baby. Thank You that baby will not fight against brushing, flossing, and maintaining good oral hygiene. Please guide mommy during the teething transition and ALL transitions. Thank You that Your Word says You will guide us always (Isaiah 58:11). In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Day 3

GOD, Thank You that You have given us authority to overcome all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm us (Luke 10:19). Great and mighty are You Lord, our great and matchless King! We pray today as baby continues to grow and mature in my womb that You would continue to bless baby’s organs, muscles, and nerves. We recognize that baby’s organs, muscles, and nerves have begun to embark on even greater tasks and adventures of discovery. We ask that You would bestow Your strength upon baby as baby’s organs, muscles, and nerves perform new activities and realize new capabilities. Thank You that as baby grows from infancy to adulthood, baby’s health, strength (physically and spiritually), and abilities are never bound by Earthly confines because You are baby’s strength every morning and baby’s salvation in time of distress! (Isaiah 33:2). In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Day 4

GOD, Thank You for being a very present (right now) help to us (Psalm 46:1). We recognize that our knowledge is limited and baby’s current stage of growth maybe ahead of our current awareness; therefore we ask that You would meet baby at baby’s current needs and stage of growth. As baby’s eyes form and develop, thank You for continuing to bless and perfect baby’s eyesight. I pray that the muscles which control baby’s eye movement(s) are strong. Thank You that the color and shape of baby’s eyes compliment the wonderful personality You have graced baby to possess. As baby grows and matures outside of the womb, thank You that in time of frustration, pain, and sorrow that You comfort baby and wipe away the tears from baby’s eyes (Revelation 21:4). In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Day 5

GOD, Thank You for allowing us to put our trust in You. Lord it comforts me to know that no matter how I feel or how things look outwardly, I can trust in Your plan for me. In all honesty I don’t feel pregnant every day, and there are times that this makes me nervous – but, when I recall Your goodness in my life and my history with You – I have hope (Lamentations 3:2). Please continue to bestow Your blessings on baby as baby’s earlobes, mouth, nose, and nostrils form and become even more distinct. Thank You for being the Master Creator. Please continue to perfect the formation of each of baby’s features. We thank You for blessing the function, development, and esthetics of baby’s earlobes, mouth, nose, and nostrils. I pray that baby’s mouth is used for the edification of Your Name, O Lord (I Corinthians 14:26). In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Day 6

GOD, Thank You for renewing our youth and our strength (Psalm 103:5, Isaiah 40:31). You have carefully created the placenta to supply the fetus with oxygen and food, and to allow the fetal waste to be disposed via the maternal kidneys. How amazing is Your handy work. You have designed life to grow within me, and you have perfected a habitat of nourishment and growth for the life of baby. Please perfect the operations of the placenta. Thank You that the placenta is producing the right type and correct amount of fluid and hormones for mommy and baby. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Day 7

GOD, Thank You that Your faithfulness endures to all generations (Psalm 119: 90). Thank You for the new generation that currently resides within me. Please help me to provide a happy and healthy environment for baby as baby begins a time of rapid weight gain. Help me to eat the pr