Since the release of my book, Redeeming Childbirth, two of the most popular chapters are “The Ultra-Sound of Worship” and “Crowning Him in Worship.” The practical exhortation to invite the presence of the Lord into this intimate experience of labor and delivery through prayer, praise, and worship has become a spiritual discipline that thousands of women are preparing their hearts for.
When I first began sharing with women the concept of worshipping God in and through childbirth, I honestly couldn’t find a way to express quite how impactful this would be in their spiritual life and relationship with Jesus indefinitely.
Just the act of participating in the creation of life with our heavenly creator, allowing Him to grow life within you, is an act of worship!
But what better time to praise and worship our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer, than in a time in our lives when we will experience being challenged spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. What better time to invite Him to be with us?
I have to admit when I was first writing out my birth plan with my first born 16 years ago, I was overwhelmed by the thought of birth. I was scared, didn’t know what to expect, and there weren’t very many resources available that weren’t worldly, with a world’s perspective of birth and children. So, I did what I knew to do. Throughout my pregnancy I would worship my heart out to God when I was driving, and when I was cleaning. There was worship music playing most of the day in my home. I knew it massively impacted my attitude and perspective. And I could feel His presence with me, so tedious mundane tasks seemed to go faster.
When I set out to make my first birth plan, I included bringing my CD/cassette player and brought CDs and tapes to listen to. I had no idea how much this would bless me. As I was contracting I would hear the music and remember to keep my focus on Jesus! And when my first baby was born to “He Will Deliver Them All,” by Michael W. Smith. That song had a new special meaning in my heart and soul. Every time I heard that song afterward, my mind and emotions could replay that very moment when I delivered my precious baby girl and brought her to my chest. Just beautiful.
Now, six births later and awaiting to give birth again any day, I can attest to how much singing in labor actually helps you birth your baby! It is AMAZING that when we do what God created us to do, like worshipping Him, He blesses us in practical ways like being able to birth in His power.
Did you know that as you are singing, your diaphragm works in unison with your contractions? This is why, for centuries, many cultures have encouraged birthing mothers to sing and chant in birth.
I am reminded of the verse, “And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Duet. 6:5, NLT
If we are going to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, and strength DURING pregnancy and childbirth, we are going to need to be intentional, to prepare.
I have offered a PDF download of 3 days worth of songs here on my website. I invite you to download and pick from the list as you are making your worship playlist, but I am going to list out the songs I currently have on my new Birth Worship Playlist! So without further ado…
Crowning Him in Worship Birth Playlist
- Psalm 62 By Aaron Keyes 6:19
- Restless by Audrey Assad 4:55
- Spirit of the Living God by Audrey Assad 3:57
- Faithful by Chris Tomlin 4:45
- Here’s My Heart by Lauren Daigle 6:15
- Awakening by Chris Tomlin 5:23
- Lead Me To The Cross by Hillsong United 4:19
- Through All Of It by Colton Dixon 3:26
- Ever Be by Bethel Music & Kalley Heiligenthal 5:22
- Show Me by Audrey Assad 4:05
- How Deep by Sovereign Grace 3:12
- OCEANS by Hillsong United 8:56
- Bless Us and Give Us Peace by John Waller 2:41
- Here by Kari Jobe 5:42
- Deliverer by Vicky Beeching 4:00
- My Revival by Lauren Daigle 5:00
- Loyal by Lauren Daigle 4:29
- Love Came Down by Kari Jobe 4:53
- Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli 5:03
- Once and For All by Lauren Daigle 4:14
- You’re Not Alone by Meredith Andrews 4:05
- Just as the Angels by Sheri Carr 6:05
- In Your Arms Meredith Andrews 4:31
- The Gospel Song by Sovereign Grace 1:08
- It is Well by Bethel Music & Kristene DeMarco 6:25
- The Look by Sovereign Grace 4:15
- Salt & Light by Lauren Daigle 4:02
- Before the Cross by Sovereign Grace 4:27
- Good to Me by Audrey Assad 6:01
- In the Valley by Sovereign Grace 4:23
- The Precious Blood by Sovereign Grace 4:11
- Though I’m Not Worthy by Kari Jobe 3:47
- To You Be the Glory by Matt Maher & Kari Jobe 3:53
- I am Yours by Ginny Owens 4:11
- I See Heaven by Brian & Katie Torwalt 5:08
- Jesus Loves Me by Chris Tomlin 3:32
- Holy Spirit by Brian & Katie Torwalt 5:49
- You Speak by Audrey Assad 5:30
- I’m a Lover of Your Presence by Brian & Katie Torwalt 6:48
- We Exalt Your Name by Matt Maher & Kari Jobe 5:29
- Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher 3:26
I highly recommend making your own iTunes birth playlist, sharing it with your other devices, and trying those out before you get to the hospital. You would don’t want to be disappointed if you have prepared your heart to worship to music and then your technology doesn’t work.
Legacy Idea:
A fun thing to do for your kiddos is to burn your songs onto a CD and then let them go to sleep to it as their lullaby or simply put it in their baby book or keepsake box!
“Worship by definition means to adore. To worship God means much than to sing to Him or even to love Him.Worship is anything that includes adoring Him.Worship can include song, but is not limited to it. I used to think that anything we did could be an act of worship, but the more I study the Word, the more I realize that worship has nothing to do with us and everything to do with God.It takes humility and a responsive heart towards God.Worship takes intentionally leaving ourselves, our desires, our needs, and our wants, and even our thankfulness out of it. God loves it when we are thankful for what He has done, but He wants us to love Him regardless of His performance just as He loves us regardless of ours. ”
Redeeming Childbirth, pg. 253
So what songs are on, or were on your birth worship playlist?
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