10 Powerful Scriptures To Read During Labor For Peace And Strength

Just as you prepare your body for labor, preparing your heart and mind is equally vital. Creating an atmosphere of peace and faith in your birthing space can profoundly impact your experience. This preparation begins long before the first contraction.

Creating Your Spiritual Toolkit

Think of these scriptures as part of your spiritual toolkit for labor. Here are a few ways to prepare them ahead of time so they are accessible when you need them most:

• Scripture Cards: Write or print your favorite verses onto small cards. You can laminate them and place them around your birthing room—on the wall, by the tub, or on the nightstand—where you can easily see them.
• A Labor Playlist: Create a playlist of calming worship music, hymns, or instrumental songs that bring you peace. Music can change the atmosphere of a room and help you focus your mind on God’s presence.
• Partner Preparation: Your partner’s role is crucial. Sit down with them before your due date and share these scriptures. Talk about which ones resonate most with you and how you’d like them to be used. Would you prefer they be read aloud softly during a contraction? Whispered as an encouragement between surges? Or perhaps used as a focus for prayer together?

“The birthing room can be a place of worship. It’s a space where you witness the miracle of creation firsthand. Inviting God into that space intentionally prepares your heart to receive the grace and strength He offers for every single moment.” – A Certified Doula

By intentionally planning to incorporate your faith, you are not adding another task to your list. Instead, you are weaving a thread of divine support through every aspect of your baby’s birth day, creating a foundation of peace before the hard work even begins.

Labor is often a marathon, not a sprint. There will be moments of fatigue and doubt, where you feel like you can’t possibly go on. In these moments, scripture can be the reminder your spirit needs that your strength is being constantly renewed.

1. Isaiah 40:31

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Reflection: This verse is a powerful promise for the laboring mother. Each contraction takes immense energy, and it’s easy to feel weary. Meditate on the word “renew.” Your strength isn’t a finite resource that runs out; it is a gift that is renewed moment by moment as you trust in Him. Picture yourself soaring above the pain, carried by a strength beyond your own.

2. Galatians 6:9

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Reflection: The work of labor is undeniably good work. You are working to bring forth a new life. When you feel tired, remember the harvest you are about to reap—holding your precious baby in your arms. This verse reframes the pain and effort as a productive, purposeful process with the most beautiful reward at the end. You are not just enduring; you are actively working toward an incredible joy.

3. Psalm 46:1-3

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

Reflection: At times, the intensity of labor can feel like the earth is giving way beneath you. The surges can feel like roaring waters. This Psalm is a profound reminder that even in the midst of the most intense physical sensations, God is your refuge. He is not a distant helper; He is “ever-present.” He is with you in the room, in the contraction, in the breath. He is your unshakeable foundation when everything else feels chaotic.

Fear and anxiety are common visitors during labor. The unknown, the intensity of sensations, and the anticipation of motherhood can all trigger these feelings. The “fear-tension-pain” cycle is well-known in childbirth education; fear creates tension in the body, which in turn increases the perception of pain. Countering fear with faith can break this cycle and invite a supernatural peace into your experience.

4. Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection: This is a practical, step-by-step guide to finding peace. Are you anxious about the pain? About the baby’s well-being? About your ability to do this? Name those fears specifically and present them to God. Even in labor, you can find something to be thankful for—a supportive partner, a healthy baby, the strength of your body. The promise is that a peace that doesn’t even make sense in the circumstances will stand guard over your heart and mind.

5. John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Reflection: The peace the world offers is often just the absence of conflict or noise. The peace Jesus offers is different. It’s a deep, internal calm that can coexist with external chaos. It’s a gift, freely given. When a wave of fear washes over you, simply say, “I receive your peace, Jesus.” It is a promise to claim in the moment, a reassurance that you are not meant to be troubled or afraid.

6. Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Reflection: Where is your mind focused? During labor, it’s easy for your mind to be consumed by the contraction, the pain, the clock. This verse invites you to fix your mind elsewhere—on Him. This could mean repeating a short phrase like “Jesus is with me” or visualizing His calming presence. A steadfast mind, one that continually returns its focus to trust, is the key to unlocking this “perfect peace.”

Transition is often the most intense and challenging phase of labor, a moment where many feel they are at their absolute limit. The pushing stage requires a final, powerful surge of energy. These scriptures are short, potent declarations of the divine strength available to you when you feel you have none left of your own.

7. Philippians 4:13

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Reflection: This is perhaps the ultimate birthing affirmation. It is a declaration of capability. It acknowledges the difficulty (“all this”) but immediately points to the source of power to overcome it. Repeat it like a mantra. With each breath, “I can do all this.” With each exhale, “through Him who gives me strength.” It is your battle cry, a reminder that you are equipped for this very moment.

8. Exodus 15:2

“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.”

Reflection: This powerful verse from the song of Moses after crossing the Red Sea is perfect for the final stages of labor. You are on the verge of your own victory—meeting your baby. Let the Lord be your strength when yours is fading. Let Him be your song when you want to cry out. Claim the victory that is coming. He has already secured it for you.

9. Psalm 139:14

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Reflection: In the midst of the raw, primal intensity of transition, remember this truth: your body was wonderfully made for this very purpose. Every system, every muscle, every hormone is part of a divine design to bring your baby into the world. This is not a flaw or a failure; it is a wonderful work in progress. Praising God for the design of your body can shift your perspective from enduring the process to marveling at it.

10. Hebrews 12:2

“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross…”

Reflection: There is a great joy set before you: your baby. This verse is the ultimate encouragement to endure. Fix your eyes, your mind, your heart on the goal. Just as Jesus endured for the joy that was to come, you can endure these final, intense moments for the unparalleled joy of holding your child. Let this vision pull you forward through the final pushes.

For new dads and birth partners, feeling helpless while the person you love is in labor is a common struggle. Using these scriptures can transform you from a passive observer into an active spiritual supporter and a vital part of the birth team. Your role is not just to hold a hand, but to help hold her heart and mind in a place of peace and strength.

Practical Ways to Offer Spiritual Support:

• Be the Voice of Truth: When she says, “I can’t do this anymore,” you can be the one to gently respond, “Yes, you can. Remember, ‘You can do all this through Him who gives you strength.’” Your voice, speaking God’s truth, can cut through her doubt.
• Read Aloud During Contractions: Ask her beforehand if this would be helpful. For some, hearing a short, powerful verse like “The Lord is my strength” during the peak of a contraction can be an incredible anchor.
• Create a Visual Anchor: Use a dry-erase marker on a window or a whiteboard in the room to write out a key verse. When she needs a focal point during a surge, you can direct her gaze to those words of life.
• Pray Over Her: Don’t underestimate the power of simple prayer. In a quiet moment between contractions, you can lay a hand on her and pray one of these scriptures over her and the baby. A simple, “God, be her refuge and strength right now,” can be profoundly comforting.
• Time Contractions with Scripture: Instead of just counting seconds, you could try reading a short Psalm during a contraction. The rhythm of your voice and the content of the words can be a much more peaceful way to mark the time.

Your calm, faith-filled presence is a gift. By actively using these scriptures, you are doing more than just supporting her; you are partnering with her and with God in the sacred work of bringing your child into the world.