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Are you in search of grounded birth affirmations? Are you gearing up for birth and not quite sure what it holds yet? Have you been through birth but you know that every birth is different so you just need some encouragement? Have you been through a traumatic birth that didn’t go as planned? If any of this sounds like you, I think you will be encouraged by a gospel filled birth. Use our easy downloads and information here to help you prepare for a gospel filled birth.

For additional Christ centered birth affirmation read Redeeming Childbirth by Angie Tolpin.

Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way is a strongly suggested resource for birth preparation, even if you do not prefer a natural birth.

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Download the Gospel Filled Birth Packet

The Gospel filled birth packet contains all of the affirmations, scripture, and prayers below in an easy to read way! Download it here. Check out some of our other resources here.

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Faith Filled Birth Affirmations & More

Birth affirmations are an ancient need for women. We need birth affirmations for many reasons including fear, fatigue, uncertainty, insecurity, and more. People love to tell their horror stories of the complex and sometimes unpredictable process of birth. This is why we need affirmation. We need to know that birth is a beautiful and sanctifying process that God designed and graced women perfectly to undertake. Not only do we need reassurance of how we were created but also that God is with us, has gone before us, and has parted the sea. We are going to discuss the following topics and I pray that the information here is as helpful for you as it is for me regarding birth.

Overview of Gospel Filled Birth Post

• The Gospel (the gospel, the gospel with women, the gospel in birth).
• Birth is Sanctifying
• Personally preparing for birth
• Prayers for birth affirmations
• Scripture for birth affirmations
• Gospel filled Imagery to keep focus

Reasons We Need Birth Affirmations 

There are many reasons we might need birth affirmations. These include: 

• Unknowns of birth
• Presence of intense pain
• Fear or presence of fatigue
• Fear of past trauma
• For endurance and patience when the process is long
• Need for remembering God’s protection
• More…

The Gospel

To discuss how the gospel is woven into birth, we need to review the gospel. Gospel simply means good news. The good news we are referring to with The Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus, God in flesh, came down to the depths of our sin and pain to save us.

Humans were made by God in His image, to have fellowship with Him, to glorify Him, and in return to enjoy Him in perfect union. That life you are always pursuing in one way or another (joy, happiness, etc.), is really an endeavor to return to the perfect fellowship we were designed to have with God. 

Through disobedience to God’s design, instruction, and call to trust Him we are separated from Him. There is nothing on our own we can do to heal this perfect union. The best we can offer doesn’t touch “good enough”. But, that is the good news of Christ. 

Jesus, God in flesh, came to reunite us to Himself through living a perfect and sinless life, yet dying a sinner’s death on our behalf. In old testament times, they would sacrifice a perfect and spotless lamb to cover their sins. There is truly nothing spotless and perfect on this earth, until Christ comes. He was and is the perfect Lamb that was acceptable to cover the sins of all of mankind. Only God offering Himself could suffice. There is nothing you can do to reunite the fellowship but God reunited it by offering Himself in Christ.

The Gospel With Women

One of the first consequences mentioned when humans fell from fellowship with God, was that there will be pain in childbearing. Genesis 3:16 says, “To the woman [God] said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” But, we aren’t left here. Just like the gospel, Jesus comes down into the depths of the pain of child rearing to dwell with us and to help us by His Holy Spirit.

The pain of childbearing does not only refer to the physical pain of bearing and birthing a child but also all of the pains associated with childbirth: loss, complications, comparison (when everything goes well for someone else) etc. Child bearing can be immensely painful all around.

But, is the suffering of childbirth a possible grace of the fall to help us greater see the gospel? I believe that all suffering encounter on Earth can be used as grace in our lives. When it comes to pain in childbearing, the greatest pain I have experienced is hopelessness in ever having children. However, grace was most certainly woven into this pain and gave me a glimpse of the Gospel.

Personal Story of The Gospel With Women

I grew up believing I would never have children. For a long time I had a GI disease that wrecked my hormones and caused me to almost never have a period. I didn’t ovulate. The system was broken. All I could think as I looked around was how un-normal I was. Even someone close to me who struggled with a similar issue was seeming to be so graced by God and had 4 children while I was still working through my journey. I didn’t understand. I practically didn’t feel like a woman because of the broken system. This was one of the most grievous feelings I have ever felt. But this is one of the many places of suffering where Christ has shown me my GREAT need for Him, His grace, and thus woven into all of that– The Gospel.

Therefore, I do believe that the pain of child bearing displays the gospel to women, and to the world.

Take a look at the section on our Response to Suffering in the article What Is God’s Will. 

A Glimpse of The Gospel In Birth

There are some interesting comparisons when it comes to Christ’s life and sacrifice, and the process of childbearing.

Christ suffered to give us new life. He lived for a period of time knowing that the destination was a gruesome death. During His time on Earth, He chose to suffer in the desert for 40 days before His death. He fasted to prepare and be near to the Father. Then, he offered himself up to provide a perfect sacrifice that would redeem our sins and give new life. He spent three days in the tomb and rose again to new life. Our new life is impossible except through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

We as women also suffer to bring new life. We live for a period of time knowing we will suffer to give and welcome new life. It is common for us to suffer 40 weeks to bring new life (a great time to prepare and be with The Father). Babies spend this time in the darkness of the womb like Christ did in the tomb. Physical life is impossible except through woman offering herself, her suffering, and her labor/birth. Childbearing is a glimpse of the gospel.

Ultimately, if we let it, birth shows us our helplessness and need of a Savior during the process. This is the simple gospel. We are helpless in our sin and in need of a Savior.

Overarching Birth Affirmation: Birth Is Sanctifying

Suffering and struggling with The Lord as I earnestly prayed for healing and children showed me my need for God, His Grace, and the gospel. In the same vein, Christ shows us our need, His grace, and the gospel in the act of giving birth. Giving birth is a pure opportunity for sanctification. For most, it is hard, can be long, is unpredictable, and sometimes comes with decisions that you never thought you would have to make. If we let them, all of these factors can send us crawling on our knees to God for help, the only one who can truly help.

Our husbands, doctors, nurses, midwives, and doulas can all help make things comfortable or medicate us. But they can’t give us what we are truly after– that is peace, joy, contentment, and faith that will help us persevere under trial. Only Christ can supply this. Thus, we can see themes of the gospel woven into birth — helpless, hopeless, and in need of a savior. God will use birth to sanctify us, if we let it. That is my overarching affirmation to you. Embrace it, pray through it, and anticipate spiritual growth as you surrender to the Holy Spirit’s work.

Personally Preparing for Birth

A lot went into preparing for my first birth. I wanted a natural birth and no one in my family had done it yet. Plenty of my friends did it, and that was comforting. But what wasn’t comforting was hearing so many comments like:

• You know, natural birth might not work out on your first try. Just accept that.
• Maybe you can just make this a goal for your second birth.
• You really think you are going to birth a baby without pain medications? Do you realize that is the worst pain you can go through?

These messages kept me turning to The Lord in hope of his protection, deliverance, and mostly His beautiful design for birth. So when I would hear these messages, I would immediately go to scripture and to prayer. You will see the scriptures and prayers The Lord encouraged my heart with reflected in the birth affirmations I am sharing with you. 

I did have a beautiful natural birth and preparing with The Lord was the best thing I could do.

I want to note: As I have already stated, birth is unpredictable. Be open to God’s work no matter the direction it takes knowing that He uses all things for our good (Romans 8:28).

Download the Gospel Filled Birth Packet

The Gospel filled birth packet contains all of the affirmations, scripture, and prayers below in an easy to read way! Download it here.

Scripture for Birth Affirmations

The words found in the Bible were my main form of birth affirmation. Scripture is something I lean heavily on and thus as far as affirmations go, it was going to be my best source for birth affirmations. These scriptures will be broken out into the stages/moments where I found them most useful. 

Having Faith for Victory & Trusting in God’s victory for those who fear Him

• Psalm 20:6-9 – Now I know that the Lord gives victory to his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven. With mighty victories from his right hand. Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king! May he answer us on the day that we call.
• Psalms 4:23 – Guard your heart above all else, for from it flow the springs of life.
• Psalms 25:1 – Do not let me be brought to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will be brought to shame… guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

When I’m Tired or Afraid

• Psalm 4:8- I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.
• Psalm 40:17- I am oppressed and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my helper and my deliverer; my God, do not delay.
• Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
• Isaiah 9:6 – He shall be called wonderful counselor, prince of peace, almighty God, everlasting Father.
• Psalms 94:22 – But the Lord is my refuge; my God is the rock of my protection”
• Philippians 4:6-8- Be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God and the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
• Nehemiah 8:10- Do not be grieved for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
• Matthew 14:31 – You of little faith, why did you doubt?
• James 4:7 Resist the devil and he will flee.

For Endurance & When Waiting Seems like Forever

• James 5:11- See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
• Psalm 27:13-14- I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.
• Isaiah 40:31 – Those who hope in The Lord will renew their strength.
• Psalms 94:17-19 – If the Lord had not been my helper, I would soon rest in the silence of death. If I say, “My foot is slipping,” your faithful love will support me, Lord. When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you except that which is common to mankind. God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
• Hebrews 12:1 – Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
• Psalms 25 (use The Gospel Filled Birth Packet).

Remembering God’s Protection

• Psalm 33:17-22- The horse is a false hope of safety; it provides no escape by its great power. But look, the Lord keeps his eye on those who fear him– those who depend on his faithful love to rescue them from death and to keep them alive in famine. We wait for the Lord; he is our help and shield. For our hearts rejoice in him because we trust in his holy name. May your faithful love rest on us, LORD, for we put our hope in you.
• Nahum 1:7- The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.
• Psalm 5:12- For you, Lord, bless the righteous one; you surround him with favor like a shield.

For After Birth & God’s Victory

• Psalms 3:3-4- But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Selah
• Psalm 107:28-32- Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed. They rejoiced when the waves grew quiet. Then he guided them to the harbor they longed for. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all humanity. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.
• Psalms 18 (use The Gospel Filled Birth Packet).

Gospel Birth Affirmations

If you have taken a very detailed birth class or read a book, like the Natural Birth The Bradley Way, you will know that imagery plays a big role in birth (and any suffering for that matter). Imagery is what it sounds like- it uses your imagination to work through the trial. For example, you might picture yourself riding a beach wave as you ride through a contraction. I liked to use imagery of faith, sanctification, and trust in God’s promises. Here are a few a few things that I focused on and tried to imagine:

• God supplies unending strength. He is eternal and his mercies are eternal.
• The biblical definition of joy says that joy is a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God’s presence and from hope in His word.
• God is using me to pipe a blessing into the world. Let God freely use your body for however long he needs to. To pipe is imagery of baking and piping out batter into a pan. This is another way to view the work of the uterus.
• Enjoy the opportunity to struggle and grow with God.
• He is the potter, I am the clay.
• Pray and speak out your fears.
• Thank God for his promises.

Other Birth Affirmations

• Your body knows how to labor.
• I get to be a woman and go through this pain.
• Women have done this for thousands of years.
• The pain is positive and productive.
• The pain is purposeful, anticipated, intermittent, necessary for bringing child.
• The stronger the pain the more effective the contraction.
• Pray about and speak out your fears.
  

Prayers For Birth

• That I would love the pain because of how it is allowing me to be in God’s presence.
• That I would remember his mercies are new for each contraction. His mercy and strength for me are never ending.
• That I would feel humbled and quieted during the pain.
• That I would gain spiritual endurance from the Holy Spirit each step of the way.
• Help for my body to perform all the correct tasks for birth and postpartum.
• That we would be able to shine a light through calm and faithful endurance and that someone would come to know Christ.

Additional Resources

For additional Christ centered birth affirmation read Redeeming Childbirth by Angie Tolpin.

Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way is a strongly suggested resource for birth preparation, even if you do not prefer a natural birth.