Introduction
The birth of a child is an immense joy. In Japan, people pray for a safe delivery, send birth gifts (shussan iwai), name the baby on the seventh day (oshichiya) and make a first visit to a shrine (omiyamairi). In churches, the child is presented to God in a service of blessing. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, form four themes: life as God's gift, joy and thanksgiving, a prayer of blessing for the baby, and encouragement for parents. They do not guarantee the outcome of a delivery.
Life Is a Gift from God
1. Psalm 127:3
"Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward."
The psalmist sings that children are a heritage from Yahweh and that the fruit of the womb is a reward. A baby is not the work of the parents but a life received from God. This verse suits every family welcoming a child, and a birth announcement card. Read all of Psalm 127.
2. Psalm 139:13
"For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb."
The psalmist prays: you knit me together in my mother's womb. The life growing in the womb is shaped by God's unseen hand. As you look at the ultrasound image, quietly thank the one who is forming your unborn child. A simple prayer is enough. Read all of Psalm 139.
3. Psalm 139:14
"I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well."
The psalmist praises God for being fearfully and wonderfully made. Tiny hands, tiny feet, first cries, a sleeping face: everything is God's marvelous work. Turn your joy at this newborn into praise and thanks, and tell your child one day how wonderful he or she is. Every child is unique and irreplaceable in God's eyes. Read all of Psalm 139.
4. Genesis 1:27
"God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them."
Genesis says that God created man in his own image. From birth, a baby is a precious being made in God's image. Abilities, gender or health do not take anything away from the worth of that life. Remember this verse when you choose a name, and when you celebrate it with relatives. Read all of Genesis 1.
5. Psalm 22:9
"But you brought me out of the womb. You made me trust while at my mother’s breasts."
The psalmist says that God brought him out of the womb and made him trust at his mother's breasts. During childbirth, God keeps mother and child. This is not a guarantee of a happy outcome, but thank God for the child in his mother's arms. Read all of Psalm 22.
Joy and Thanksgiving
6. Luke 1:14
"You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth."
In this verse, the angel announces to Zechariah the birth of John the Baptist: joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. A new life brings joy not only to the parents but to those around them. Add this verse to a birth card to rejoice with them. Read all of Luke 1.
7. 1 Samuel 1:27
"I prayed for this child, and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him."
Hannah says: I prayed for this child, and Yahweh has given me my petition. Some wait a long time before having a child. Give thanks for the child received, and think gently of those who are still waiting. Your thanksgiving can also become a prayer for them. Read all of 1 Samuel 1.
8. Psalm 113:9
"He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother of children. Praise Yah!"
The psalmist says that God settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother of children. This verse speaks as much to those who hoped for a long time as to those who have just welcomed a child. Read it as a prayer of gratitude before the celebration meal. Read all of Psalm 113.
9. Psalm 126:3
"Yahweh has done great things for us, and we are glad."
The psalmist sings that Yahweh has done great things for us and that we are glad. The birth of a child is one of those great things. Say thank you aloud as a family. A verse this short is easy to copy into a congratulations message. Read all of Psalm 126.
10. Psalm 107:1
"Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever."
The psalmist calls us to give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good and his loving kindness endures forever. After childbirth, joy is mixed with fatigue and worries. God's loving kindness does not change. On the day you come home, thank him aloud together with your family. Read all of Psalm 107.
A Prayer of Blessing for the Baby
11. Mark 10:16
"He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them."
Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. In some churches the pastor lays hands on a baby during the presentation. Picture God taking your child in his arms and blessing them, and present your child to him in prayer yourself. Read all of Mark 10.
12. Numbers 6:24-26
"‘Yahweh bless you, and keep you. Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you. Yahweh lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.’"
God gave this blessing to the priests of Israel, and it is still spoken at the end of many services. It asks for protection, grace and peace for your baby. Each evening, at bedtime, lay a hand on the baby's head and whisper it gently. Read all of Numbers 6.
13. Luke 2:40
"The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him."
Luke tells us that the child Jesus grew, became strong, was filled with wisdom, and that the grace of God was upon him. Watching a baby grow day by day is a quiet sign of that grace. Pray that your child will grow healthy in body, heart and mind. Read all of Luke 2.
14. Luke 2:52
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."
Luke writes that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. This is balanced growth: body, mind, relationship with God and with others. As you imagine your child's future, ask God for that kind of growth, and receive it with thanks. Read all of Luke 2.
15. Psalm 71:6
"I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you."
The psalmist says he relied on God from the womb. Everyone has been carried by God since birth. Every parent waits and prays for the day when their grown child will read this psalm with the words of their own faith, full of gratitude, and prays for that day every morning. Read all of Psalm 71.
Encouragement for Parents
16. Isaiah 40:11
"He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young."
The prophet says that God, like a shepherd, gathers the lambs in his arm and gently leads those who have their young. Nursing, night crying: God leads the exhausted mother gently. Do not try to carry everything alone; asking family or friends at church for help counts too. Read all of Isaiah 40.
17. Psalm 103:13
"Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him."
The psalmist says that as a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him. Becoming a parent helps us understand God's love through our own tenderness for our child. The tenderness you feel for your baby is like a mirror of God's love. Read all of Psalm 103.
18. Proverbs 22:6
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs says to train up a child in the way he should go. This is not a guarantee of results but a word of wisdom. From the cradle, pour in prayer and affection, and pass on God's kindnesses through the gestures of everyday life, patiently and without hurry. Read all of Proverbs 22.
19. Isaiah 66:13
"As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”"
God says: as one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. On nights when the baby cries, a parent feels fatigue and anxiety. Remember then that God comforts. In the arms that rock your child, God holds you too, with the same tenderness. Read all of Isaiah 66.
20. 1 Peter 5:7
"casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you."
Peter invites us to cast all our worries on God, because he cares for us. Worries about raising a child, tiredness, balancing work: a parent's cares are many. Hand them to the one who takes care of you with a small prayer whenever tiredness overwhelms you. Read all of 1 Peter 5.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the church celebrate a baby's birth?
Some churches hold a presentation or blessing of the child, where the pastor prays for the baby and the parents. Some families choose this celebration in place of the shrine visit. Ask your church about timing and format.
Which verse should I add to a birth card?
Psalm 127:3, Luke 1:14 and Numbers 6:24-26 are very popular. Choose a short sentence that expresses your joy. Be gentle and sensitive toward people who have experienced a miscarriage or the loss of a child.
How can I pray before childbirth?
Entrust the health of the mother and baby to God. Some read Psalm 22:9 or Psalm 139:13 as they pray. Pray that you can trust God whatever the outcome. Follow the instructions of the doctor and midwife.