How to Pray Through Labor: Prayers and Bible Verses for Every Stage of Birth
If you’re pregnant and want God at the center of your birth, you may have already prayed a LOT about labor.
But what are you actually supposed to pray when you’re in the middle of contractions?
When labor gets intense, you probably aren’t going to want a three-page prayer or a Bible study. You need simple truths you can come back to when your brain is focused on getting through the contraction in front of you.
After more than 10 years as a Labor & Delivery nurse, I’ve seen just how consuming labor can become as contractions intensify. That’s why I love preparing your prayers and Scripture before labor ever begins.
Below, I’m giving you a Scripture and a simple prayer for each stage of labor, including what to pray before labor begins, during early and active labor, through transition and pushing, and if your birth plans change.
Grab your Bible and journal and write these down somewhere your husband can find them, too. 🤍
Prefer to watch?
Grab your Bible, your journal, maybe a yummy drink, and follow along with me in the video below.
Before Labor: Pray for Surrender
Before contractions ever start, I want you to begin with surrender. Right now, you probably have some idea of how you’d like your birth to go. Maybe you want to go into labor naturally or have an unmedicated birth. Maybe you’re planning an epidural. Maybe there are certain interventions you really hope to avoid.
Bring those desires to God. Pray specifically for the birth you desire. But this is also the time to start practicing holding those plans with open hands.
Turn to Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Then write this prayer in your journal: “God, you know the birth I desire. I give you my plans, my expectations, and the things that I cannot control. Help me prepare well and trust You with the rest.”
Surrender isn’t something you have to wait until labor to practice. You can start now.
Early Labor: Pray for Patience
Once contractions begin, it can be SO tempting to immediately think, “IS THIS IT?!”
Early labor is the time before active labor begins, and especially with a first baby, this part can take time. You don’t need to exhaust yourself doing every labor technique you learned the second contractions start.
Rest if you can. Eat if that’s appropriate for your situation. Hydrate. Move around. Distract yourself. Conserve some of that energy for later.
For early labor, turn to Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Then pray: “God, help me to be present here. Give me patience for this part of labor. Help my body rest when I can and work when it needs to. I trust Your timing.”
You do not need to figure out how you’re going to handle the rest of labor right now. You only need to be where you are.
Active Labor: Pray for Strength
As labor becomes active, contractions typically become stronger, longer, and closer together, and labor starts requiring much more of your attention.
You may be breathing through contractions, changing positions, having your husband apply counterpressure, getting into the shower or tub, or deciding you’re ready for pain medication.
This is where I want you to stop thinking about how many contractions might be left. You don’t need strength for every contraction you have left. You need strength for the contraction you’re in right now.
Turn to Isaiah 40:31: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.”
Then pray: “Jesus, give me strength for this contraction. Help me relax instead of fighting my body, and give me what I need for this moment.”
That’s it. Your husband can pray it over you, too. These prayers are intentionally short because I want them to be something your brain can actually grab onto when labor gets intense.
Transition: Pray When You Feel Like You Can’t Do It
As you approach complete dilation, you may experience what we commonly call transition. For many women, this is one of the most intense parts of labor.
It’s also when, as an L&D nurse, I hear some version of: “I can’t do this.” “I’m done.” “I can’t anymore.”
So for this part of labor, turn to 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Then pray: “Jesus, I feel like I can’t do this. Be my strength where I am weak and carry me through this moment.”
Notice that we aren’t pretending labor doesn’t hurt or that you aren’t overwhelmed. We’re bringing God directly into the place you’re actually in. And if you’re in transition and the only prayer you can manage is, “Jesus, help me,” that is a prayer, too.
Pushing: Pray for Courage
For some women, pushing feels like a huge relief because you can finally work with the pressure you’re feeling. For others, this stage can feel intimidating. And pushing can look VERY different from person to person.
Some women push for a few minutes. Others push much longer, especially with a first baby. If your baby doesn’t come out in three pushes like somebody’s birth vlog you watched, that does not mean you’re doing anything wrong. 😂
You may be exhausted. You may be nervous. You may be thinking about the fact that you’re finally about to meet your baby.
Turn to Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield. In him my heart trusts.”
Then pray: “God, give me strength and courage. Help me listen to my body and the people caring for me. Be with my baby as we do this together.”
I especially love the idea of your husband praying this one over you while you push.
When Your Birth Plans Change: Pray for Wisdom and Peace
Please write this one down even if you don’t think you’re going to need it. Because sometimes birth changes.Maybe your provider recommends an induction you weren’t expecting. Maybe labor isn’t progressing the way you hoped. Maybe you planned an unmedicated birth and now you’re asking for an epidural. Maybe your baby’s heart rate is concerning, or you’re being told that a C-section may now be the safest option.
This can be one of the hardest moments spiritually, especially if you prayed very specifically for something different. A change in plans does not mean God left you.
Turn to James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach.”
Then pray: “God, this isn’t what I expected. Give us wisdom for the decision in front of us. Give me peace where I don’t have control. Help me ask good questions, listen well, and make the best decision with the information we have.”
Then use your tools and ask your questions. Faith does not mean you stop participating in your care.
You can pray AND ask questions. You can trust God AND make an informed decision. You can surrender AND advocate for yourself. And if you need to grieve the fact that something isn’t going the way you hoped, that doesn’t mean you aren’t trusting God either.
You can feel disappointed and trust Him at the same time.
After Birth: Pray With Gratitude
Once your baby arrives, your medical care isn’t completely finished. You’ll still deliver your placenta, and your care team will monitor things like your bleeding and vital signs. Depending on your birth, there may be repairs or other care happening while you meet and hold your baby.
But your baby is here. Maybe your birth looked exactly like you hoped. Maybe it looked nothing like you pictured. When you have a moment, thank God for meeting you there.
Turn to Psalm 126:3: “The Lord has done great things for us. We are glad.”
Then pray: “Thank You, God, for this baby. Thank You for being with us through this birth. Thank You for the people who cared for us and for carrying me through every moment. Help me process this birth with grace and be with us as we begin this new season together.”
You Don’t Need the Perfect Prayer During Labor
Praying through labor isn’t about saying the perfect words. It isn’t a formula for getting the birth outcome you want, and it isn’t about trying to make yourself feel “spiritual enough.” You might have a beautiful worship playlist playing with Scripture cards all over your room.
Or you might get into active labor and discover that the only prayer you can manage is: “Jesus, help me.” Both count. The point isn’t the length of your prayer. It’s remembering where your help comes from.
Before labor, pray for surrender. In early labor, pray for patience. In active labor, pray for strength. During transition, bring God into your weakness. While pushing, pray for courage. If your plans change, pray for wisdom and peace. And after your baby arrives, thank God for meeting you in your story.
Want Christ-Centered Encouragement Throughout Your Pregnancy?
If you want to keep bringing your pregnancy back to Jesus as you prepare for birth, I’d love for you to join Knit Together.
Knit Together is my weekly pregnancy email series where I send you a devotional, an update about what’s happening with your body and baby, and Christ-centered encouragement for exactly where you are in pregnancy.
Keep Preparing for Your Birth
If you want to keep preparing for the actual labor and birth part, watch this next:
How to Actually Prepare for Labor and Birth: Physically, Mentally & Spiritually
I’ll walk you through what I want you practicing, what I want you learning, and how to prepare your husband to support you.
With love,
Lauren
