Praying for new babies and their mothers is a thoughtful way to help a loved one through a stressful time. When you pray, you can:

• Ask God to guide the mother through birth 
• Ask for God's blessing for the new child
• Thank God for the precious gift of life
• Ask God to guide the new parents in their new roles
• Ask God for relief and comfort from stress 

Praying for others (i.e., saying an "intercessory prayer") is also part of God's design for us as Christians. As He commands in Galatians 6:2, we are to: "bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." 

When you pray for babies and their mothers, you support a loved one while carrying out God's word.

As the Bible lays out God's design for the Earth, many Christians find it helpful to return to God's word when praying for an exciting new event like a baby's birth. 

There are many Bible verses about mothers and their babies. For example, Isaiah 44:24 tells us that God creates all life on Earth and forms children in their mother's wombs: 

"Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb: I am the Lord that maketh all things, that stretcheth forth the heavens alone, that spreadeth abroad the Earth by myself."

This sentiment is echoed in:

• Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
• Ephesians 2:10: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath beforehand ordained, that we should walk in them."

Matthew 19:14 also tells us that children play an essential role in God's plan and that you force a child to suffer when you deny them a relationship with God: 

"But Jesus said, "suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."

The Bible also outlines God's design for families in several passages, including in Genesis 1:28: 

"Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the Earth, and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

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Of course, you don't need to rely solely on individual verses to understand God's design for families — as many Bible stories tell us how to care for God's children. 

For example, God tells us that we are to act like Moses' mother and protect children at all costs in the story of Moses' birth. In this story (told in Exodus 2), Moses' mother places him in a basket and sends him down the river to protect him from Pharaoh (who ordered the killing of all Hebrew males).

God also tells us that we must trust Him and His plan in the story of Hannah and her baby in 1 Samuel 1. In this story, the Bible tells us that Hannah prayed diligently for a child for many years, and when God granted her prayer, she dedicated her newborn son to Him. As Hannah raised the boy for God, the child grew into Samuel (one of Israel's greatest prophets).

You may choose to pray by yourself or with the expectant parents, the new baby's siblings, friends, and family. You can also put in a prayer request at church. 

If you can't visit the expectant mother in person, you may also want to share prayers:

• In a card or letter 
• Over the phone 
• Through an instant message 
• Through a gift 

Ultimately, there's no "right" way to pray for a new baby, as long as your prayers are sincere and honor our Holy Father.

The birth of a new baby is a cause for celebration, excitement, and stress. But when your emotions are high, it can be tough to find the words to pray. To help, we'd like to share six prayers for babies and their mothers.

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Short prayer for baby and mother after birth 

"Dear Heavenly Father, we have been praying for a healthy baby, and you have granted our wishes. You have blessed the new parents with the greatest gift you've ever given, and we're endlessly grateful for your power. 

Please watch over (baby) and their parents and help them adjust to life as a family. Thank you for the beautiful gift of creation. In Jesus' name, amen." 

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Prayer for labor

"Holy Spirit, please guide (mother) through labor and grant her a safe delivery. She's anxious, scared, and in distress. Please deliver her from pain and bless her with endurance so that she doesn't suffer for her precious child. 

Please watch over her and her little one, and let them feel your guiding hand through these tense hours. Thank you, Lord, creator of life. Amen." 

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Prayer for baby's protection in life

"Dear God, today, our family grew one member larger. We're excited to get to know (baby), and we ask that you lead them as you lead us. Please, Lord, watch over them as they see your world for the first time. Guide them as they take their steps and speak their first words. Raise them in your light and bless them with good health.

Let us always remember the words of Luke 2:40: ‘And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.’ Amen." 

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Prayer to thank God for the gift of life

"Dear Lord, the arrival of our little baby has reminded us of the new life you give us every day. 

Thank you for the fresh seedlings, new flowers, and bee larvae you bring into the world, for each of these creates the perfect world for our precious baby to enjoy. Bless you and your world, Lord. Amen." 

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Prayer for baby in the womb

"Father, please hear my prayer for all unborn babies. I ask that you grant them security, love, and protection. I know from Psalm 139:13 that you grow us in our mother's wombs, and your divine vision for our lives starts from conception. 

Please watch over the unborn children of our world as you watch over me. In your son Lord Jesus Christ's name, amen." 

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Prayer for new parents

"Lord, thank you for granting (parents) the gift of parenthood. This is an exciting new step in their lives. Let them walk forward with grace, patience, and love for their new bundle of joy.

Please guide the child's grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and loved ones in supporting (baby)'s new parents. On this day of celebration, let us remember Proverbs 22:6: ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ Amen."

The birth of a new baby is a momentous occasion for the new parents and their extended families. It's also an exciting time for God, as He gets to share the gift of life with His children here on Earth. 

If you'd like to learn more about God's design for parenthood, listen to our Bible meditation "Great Parenting." Or, if you'd like to listen to other Pray.com content, you can download our app from the iOS app store or the Google Play store.