My husband and I were expecting our second child any day and I was completely on edge about it. There are so many things that can go wrong during pregnancy and delivery, and fear was about getting the best of me.
But as I discovered with my first child, labor and delivery can also be an intimate time of worship as we partner with God in the birthing process to deliver our little babies into this world. And that’s what I want. God has given us the unique privilege of participating in the process of bringing our children into the world!
This list is quite exhaustive and some of the passages are long, so feel free to pick just the verses that comfort you. And let me know in the comments below what other Bible passages have helped YOU in your pregnancy, labor, and delivery! Here are the 30 best Bible verses to help me relax and trust God during the delivery of my second baby.
Praising God for the Wonder of Pregnancy
Isaiah 46:3-4 - Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.
Jeremiah 1:5 - I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.
James 1:17-18 - Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
Psalm 127:3-4 - Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
Psalm 139:13-18 - You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
Psalm 71:6 - Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!
Know an expectant mother in your life who could use prayer? Download our FREE Prayers for Mothers guide to lift her up to the Lord today.
Worshiping God for the Gift of Life
Psalm 63:4-8 - I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. […] I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.
Psalm 46 - God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
Psalm 40:1-5 - I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. OLord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
Psalm 40:16-17 - But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.
Overcoming Fear & Anxiety of Pregnancy
Jeremiah 1:8 - Don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!
Isaiah 41:10 - Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Philippians 4:6-7 - Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:31-34 - So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
1 Peter 5:7 - Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Isaiah 43:1-3 - But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says,“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Surrendering to God in Birth-Giving
Psalm 55:22 - Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Isaiah 26:3-4 - You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in theLord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 - Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psalm 84:11-12 - For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.
Isaiah 40:11 - He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Praying for God’s Strength & Endurance
Colossians 1:11-12 - We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father.
Isaiah 40:29-31 - He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Philippians 4:13 - For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Joshua 1:9 - This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Ephesians 6:10 - Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Habakkuk 3:18-19 - I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
1 John 5:14-15 - And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
Rather than allow doubts and fears to clutch us in their deathly grip, we can fill our minds with God’s Truth and allow His peace and strength to wash over us, carrying us from one contraction to the next, experiencing His grace as we surrender into His care. And when we meet our little bundles of joy, we can celebrate God’s victory and provision as we wonder at the miracle of creation.
I plan to record these verses over an instrumental background (like this relaxing soundtrack) so I can listen to them during contractions. You can also write them on notecards to stick around the house in the weeks leading up to labor. Or have your husband read them to you during delivery.
If you know someone who’s expecting a baby, this would be a great creative way to love a new mom! Simply record or write down the verses, and surprise her with a practical and powerful gift. I only wish I would have thought of this weeks ago to have my dear ones record verses in time for our baby girl’s arrival. How sweet would it be to hear my mom, MIL, aunt, mentors, and friends powerfully speaking the truth of these verses over me in labor!
What Bible verses have you used to relax and trust God in your pregnancy, labor, and delivery? I’d love to hear your additions in the comments below!
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