It occurred to me recently, as I was praying that a friend’s rainbow baby will thrive and that she will not be fearful and anxious – it occurred to me what power there is when we pray for the tiniest of babies to live!

Looking back, as far as I can recall, every time a friend has had a miscarriage or stillborn, then told me she’s pregnant again and I have prayed consistently, that child has lived.

During our years of trying to conceive, I occasionally met pastors or ministers who said things like, “Every time I pray for people to have a baby, they have a baby.” When I met these people, I knew that I wanted them to pray for me too! Friends who have had multiple miscarriages or a stillborn baby have said to me, or to my husband and me, “I’m pregnant again, please pray.” My husband and I have prayed daily, and these babies have lived! There are no guarantees, I cannot promise anything other than that I will pray – and that God is able. Currently I’m praying for several babies I know that are on the way – we call them rainbow babies, the babies coming after miscarriage or loss. I’m planning to celebrate the births of these babies! All I can say is that I’ve seen God’s faithfulness in this area, over and over again.

If you’re early in pregnancy and terrified of losing your baby, find trusted people to pray. Although we haven’t had a loss, when my husband and I discovered that our long-awaited miracle baby was on the way, we immediately began telling our closest friends and family and those who we knew would pray. I shared my news with two church groups I’m in within the first week of discovering our pregnancy because I wanted our baby to live a long life! I needed people praying for no miscarriage or loss. I needed prayer that I would not fear or worry. I know that losses happen even when people pray – but without a doubt, I have seen the power of prayer in this area of life. (I’ve begun reading a book called Praying for Your Unborn Child by Francis and Judith MacNutt. I recommend checking it out as you pray for your baby.)

Did you ever sing this song in Sunday school when you were a child? “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” You basically repeat that line for the first verse then move on to other things God is holding securely in His hands. I sing one verse in particular when I feel anxiety about my own pregnancy, and prior to becoming pregnant I would sing these words over the baby I longed for, “He’s got the little bitty baby in His hands.” Those simple words of childlike faith remind me that God’s got it.

I encourage all couples feeling fear early in their pregnancy to ask for prayer. Private message me and I will pray. God is always good, He’s always faithful, and I have seen repeatedly that He is able to bring forth life from barren places, and He is able to sustain them.

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Psalm 54:4 (NIV)

You knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 (NIV)

Hi, I’m Betsy, and I live in the Washington, D.C. area with my husband, Mike. We have been married since 2008, and look forward to the arrival of our first baby in 2018! We enjoy exploring new cities together on foot and doing life as a team.

I write because I feel called and I enjoy it, and I hope that my words point you toward God! My first book, Embracing Hope During Infertility is intended to infuse hope into your heart! My second book, although written for children, will point you toward the goodness of God, even in the darkest times.

You can learn more about me here. I would love for you to connect with me by following my Hope During Infertility Facebook page or my Betsy Herman, Writer Facebook page. I’m also on Instagram and Twitter as @lovethatbetsy.