Prayer of Thanks after Childbirth

Great and glorious and almighty God! I come into Thy presence with joy, and praise Thee for the great kindness which Thou hast shown me. I thank Thee that Thou hast sustained me in my labor, lightened my pain, and granted me a happy delivery. Lord, how great and glorious is Thy power! When 1 was about to sink, Thou didst hold me up; when I was weak and faint, Thou didst quicken me; when my strength was all gone, Thou didst give me new strength. Yes, Thou hast clone all things well: Thou hast given me my child, Thou hast sustained my life, Thou hast warded off all misfortune, Thou hast gladdened me according to my heart’s desire.

Therefore bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. The Lord hath done great things for me, whereof I am glad. Blessed be the Lord, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my Strength and my Shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; and His mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy. Let those whom He delivered out of their troubles when they cried, and whom lie saved out of their distress, praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men. Let them sacrifice the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing. Yes, my God, I will declare Thy works today with rejoicing, and say: What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?

O my God, let Thy mercy be revealed in me in future also. Protect, strengthen, and preserve me during my confinement. Guard me and my child against harm, sickness, and dangerous accidents. Restore to me speedily my lost strength; let me regain it day by day. O God of all grace and mercy, spread Thy gracious wings over my house to preserve it from danger by fire or water; and over my bed, that I may stay well, and may spend my time in it in Thy fear and in prayer. Mercifully preserve my child to Thy honor and glory. And grant me grace in due time, with restored strength and in good health, to wend my way to Thy house, to appear in Thy presence, and to bring to Thee there my joyful offering of praise and thanksgiving. Now thank we all our God, with hearts and hands and voices, who wondrous things hath done, in whom this earth rejoices; who from our mother’s arms hath blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. Amen.