From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to be a mom. At the time, I didn’t realize there were so many factors that play into that desire. All I knew is that if I didn’t marry, I would adopt.
Now, as I carry my first daughter into this world, I find myself going back in time and pulling remnants of prayers from those years.
I would hold my flat abdomen and ask God to make my future children strong—big lovers of Christ and people. I would pray for their future spouses and the strength to hold space for their individuality.
3 Prayers I’m Pouring Over My Unborn Daughter
In light of this beautiful, albeit a bit terrifying, season of anticipation, I wanted to share some prayers I’ve been praying over my unborn daughter that you could garner inspiration from, whether you are a 16-year-old teen who dreams of a home with pitter-pattering feet or a 30-year-old expecting their first child.
1: Lord, Teach Her Your Ways of Joy, Love, & Purpose
I’ve experienced the way this world can steal our focus, prying for our attention and stealing our God-appointed purpose.
My biggest prayer is that my sweet girl will understand how much she is loved. Not by my husband and I, though I pray that as well, but by the One who called her into existence before we even knew she was wrought (definition: worked into shape by artistry or effort).
For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
Psalm 139:13-16 (New King James Version)
Though my daughter’s feelings will ebb and flow like the ocean floor, I hope and pray she remembers her renewed identity in Christ.
2: Bless Her With a Godly Spouse & Friends
Not everyone will get married, but we all need friends (says the introvert).
My husband and I pray for our daughter to encounter the people who will not tear her down, but speak life over her. We pray we have the discernment to allow the right people into her life when she is young, so she can learn what to look for when she is older—in a spouse and friends alike.
To start that process, we hope to train her up in what it looks like to be a godly friend first.
3: Guide Her to Encounter Peace Over Her Worries
As much as we want to protect our little girl from harsh realities, my husband and I cannot protect her from her testimony.
I struggle with debilitating anxiety and fear. Although my mom and dad would love to remove that from my testimony, they can’t. What does my mom do instead? She reminds me that there is overflowing peace in the presence of God and my testimony will help someone else.
I don’t want my daughter to inherit my testimony as her own, so I will do the best I can to teach her the things I have learned along the way. My husband doesn’t want her to inherit his testimony, so he will teach her the things He has learned along the way as well. This is what it looks like to model God’s peace and plan over our lives.
Releasing Our Parenting into God’s Hands
In many ways, my husband and I will fail at being the parents we had hoped to be, but in many more ways, God’s tender mercies will prevail.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
Lamentations 3:22-23 (English Standard Version)
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I wrote this post, not in mere hopes I would come back to it years from now when I worry I’m not doing well enough, but also to be a reminder to you of what a Christian life looks like. The Christian life is not glamorous, but it is honest and rewarding, and that’s all I can hope my daughter learns throughout her life as well.
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