Four Prayers for a Pregnant Mother
By Esaias Heidenreich
A fitting post for this week, as my wife is soon due to deliver our fourth child. God be with us!
Share with your pregnant friends and family!
Four Prayers for a Pregnant Mother
Eternal and true God, You have consecrated me, Your poor servant, through the power of Your holy Word, in the marital order, that I may blessedly live and endure herein to honor You and Your righteous name. To You alone it is best known how heavy and toilsome this order is, how frequently the cross and waters of tribulation surge along the way and greatly trouble human weakness. May You, therefore, now in this hour and always, let those be commended to Your fatherly heart who in true faith desire Your grace in this order. Be also gracious to me; bless, sanctify, and protect my dear husband, the head of the house, together with the fruit of our body, from all misfortune to the body and soul, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son and our Redeemer. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, in the Gospel, You recall the pain and anxiety of a woman giving birth. I perceive from this that all distress and grief are well known to You. Therefore, I, a poor sinner, come to You, my only Redeemer, petitioning with heartfelt groans that, because You are the blessed fruit through which all believers are blessed and sanctified, You would also, out of mercy, bless this fruit of my body, stand against the devil, his instruments, wicked conceits, and everything else that desires to harm me and the fruit of my body, and let the holy angels keep watch over me, that I, in Your grace, may see and endure the joyful hour of birth with patience. Amen!
Gracious Lord Jesus Christ, amidst Your painful bands You cry out while hanging upon the wood of the cross: "My God, why have You forsaken me?" Therefore, I beseech You by the bitterness of all Your pain You suffered under Your bands, that You would grant and give to me, a poor sinful woman, now in my bands, patience, relief, and a blessed beholding of the fruit of my body here in this vale of tears and there in eternity before Your countenance. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, to You the pains and joys of a house mother are known. Because I, a poor, sinful woman, now feel the pains and bands, I believe firmly and steadfastly that You, out of grace, will also allow me to taste joy, that I may praise Your truth, righteousness, and glory, and give thanks and extol Your name here and in eternity. Amen.
Esaias Heidenreich, Kirchen und Hausgebetlein (1582)
Raffaello Sanzio, The Holy Family with a Lamb (1507)