Strength and Endurance

"I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13

Lord,
I ask for the resolve to do all things through You. You are my source of strength, and I depend completely on You. I know that placing my thoughts and cares on You will lessen my burden and create a better environment for my baby to grow. So, I ask that, in the days ahead, You lead me to a place of physical, emotion, and spiritual rest. Give me the endurance that only You have as I approach labor and delivery. I ask this in Your name, amen.

Overflowing with Hope

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13

Father,
I know that pregnancy, labor, and delivery can be a time of extreme joy, especially when a mother puts her trust in You. Today, I ask for Your joy and peace to flood every inch of me. Rejuvenate my spirit, and refresh me with hope in You. Let others see Your glory radiating from Your Spirit inside of me. Amen.

Finishing this task with a heart for You

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." - Colossians 3:23

Father,
Thank You for this task You have given me. Although my pregnancy will not last too much longer, I want to commit to approaching it with gladness, boldness, and fervor. I ask that You help me finish this season of life in a hearty way, appreciating the miracle that You are perfecting inside of me each day. Grant me grace and diligence as I do this. Lord, help me to set goals, manage chores, consider my health as a high priority, prepare my home, and plan for the future of my child. Let this child be blessed in part because the way I am doing my job as an expectant mother. In Your name, amen.

Reverence for God

"Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." - Psalm 34:1

Father,
Thank You for Your love that is extended to us and through us. We know that we are the first window our child will look through to learn who You are and how to serve You. We ask that You begin to work in hearts and minds to cultivate Your Spirit. When our child is born, give us creative and simple ways to share Your truths, Word, and character. Help us grow in our areas of weakness so that we can effectively teach our children what it means to fear You. Amen.

Appreciating Nature and Creation

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 1:1

Creator God,
Your design is so evident in this season. I am in awe when I look at the mountains, sunsets, and changing colors around me. Today, I ask that you remind me to take time out of my busy schedule to reflect on You and Your creation. Help me to develop an appreciation for Your world and to pass it on to my child. Let me instruct him/her to respect Your creation and to care for it. Show me ways to teach aesthetics in a godly manner. Thank You, Lord, for the evidence in nature that points us to You. Amen.

Children as Messengers

"The Lord came down and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'" - 1 Samuel 3:10

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the example of Eli and Samuel, showing us that we should always look and listen for Your voice, even in the youngest of children. As a parent, Lord, use me to encourage this child in times when You are speaking to him/her. Let me not look down on him/her, but realize that You can illuminate his/her mind to understand things that I do not. Holy Spirit, guide me with discernment and wisdom in this area. In Your name, amen.

A Heart for the World

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" - Mark 16:15

Dear God,
Thank You for the gifts You have placed in me and my child. It brings me great joy to use these gifts for Your glory! Today, I ask that You help me bloom where I am planted. I know that You have divinely positioned me where You want me to be. Lord, help me to use my words, giving, prayers, time, and talents to reach the people that I have audience with. I also ask that You rise up my child to impact his/her social circles for You. Let his/her seeds fall on good soil, so that they may grow and reflect You. Let my child a heart for the world. Protect him/her from the temptation to focus only on the immediate circle of people around him/her. Wherever You lead my child, let my heart have rest in knowing that Your plans are being accomplished in his/her life. All honor, power, and glory to You! Amen.

Week 31 and Proverbs 31, Part 3

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." - Proverbs 31:25

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the wisdom, insight, and inspiration You have provided throughout the book of Proverbs. I pray that I would resemble the "wife of noble character" in Proverbs 31. I know that a close walk with You brings such nobility, so I ask that You draw me closer and closer to You in the coming days. Wrap me in strength and dignity. Let Your reflection shine through me during this pregnancy. Help me to trust in You and not fear the days ahead. Instead, let joy, laughter, and peace flood my soul in this hour. Thank You for the confidence I can have in You. Amen.

Man's Gifts vs. God's Gifts

"Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord." - Proverbs 19:14

Dear Lord,
Thank You for placing me right where You want me to be in life. It is so awesome to experience the things that You have ordained for me from the beginning. I ask today that You guard my heart from focusing on the worldly gifts that we could try to provide for our children. If it is in Your will to bless us with certain financial opportunities, let us recognize it and be good stewards. However, let my main focus be on providing a solid spiritual foundation for my family. I ask specifically that You help me to be prudent. Holy Spirit, fill me with discipline and sound judgment. Help me to be creative and frugal in the use of resources You have given us. Show me how to use my talents to the best of my ability. Allow these characteristics to be a blessing to my husband, children, and extended family. Amen.

Week 31 and Proverbs 31, Part 2

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'" - Proverbs 31:28-29

Dear God,
While my worth comes soley from You, the mere thought of a blessing from my child thrills me beyond measure. I hope that one day I will be able to see the fruits of the prayers and laboring of love that I have already sown into my little one. I want to stand as a mother that is praised by her children and husband for teaching, instructing, correcting, and persuading her children in the things of the Lord. I know that it takes consistency to see such fruit. So, I ask that You show how me how I can accomplish this each day. Help me to be diligent in the task ahead of me. Amen.

Week 31 and Proverbs 31

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." - Proverbs 31:27

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for watching over the affairs of my day. You see me when I rise and when I lie down. Your arms are there to hold me when it seems like I can't get anything done. Today, I ask that You help me commit each day to You. Order my days, Lord, in the way that You would have them go. Help me to achieve the goals that I must accomplish. Give me the wisdom, endurance, strength, and diligence needed to manage my household. Provide me with assistance when I need it, and help me to accept it. When I feel overwhelmed, I ask that You quiet my spirit. Show me when and how to rest. Revitalize me in the ways that only You can. Thank You, God, for blessing and caring about my household. Amen.

Introducing our child to Him

"Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.' When He had placed His hands on them, he went on from there." - Matthew 19:13 - 14

Dear God,
Thank You for taking the time to extend Your hands and pray for Your children. Today, I ask that You give me a child-like faith - one that allows me to guide my child toward You. Help me to present You in a way that will be easily understood and accepted. Let living with You in our lives be a daily process. Let Your name be talked about and expressed openly and freely throughout our home. Help us, God, to make leading our child to know You a priority in our day. We ask this in Your name, amen.