Praying through infertility

In the face of infertility, when the desire for a child remains unfulfilled, it can be hard to keep hope alive. Medical procedures and repeated miscarriages are physical, moral and spiritual trials for le couple. Here are a few suggestions for prayer to help us live through these trials with the Lord, and entrust our struggles to Him.

How to pray in the event of infertility?

A prayer of consolation

"Jesus, Mary we entrust both of us ( N. and N.) to your protection. We confidently and tearfully ask for your support. We have learned that we will not have the joy of having children. This announcement came as a real shock. Come and console us so that we can continue our journey as a couple and bear fruit. Give us the courage we need to get through this ordeal, just as you carried your cross to Calvary. Thank you for being with us at this difficult time, we know you won't leave us alone. Amen"

Prayer to confide your desire for a child

"Lord, God of life and fertility, we stand before you, your adopted children.

Remember your eternal covenant with us.

In your great tenderness, come to the aid of infertile couples,

In your infinite mercy, bring life to us.

May our couple find their fruitfulness in you.

If this is your will, send us a child that we can consecrate to you.

If you wish, make us fruitful in any other way.

But above all, don't let our relationship close in on itself.

Open us up to others who are suffering, so that by helping them we can overcome our own pain.

May our hearts always be welcoming,

our souls always ready to bless,

our arms always ready to comfort.

Forgive us our impatience,

our regrets, our anger, our revolts,

our fleeting disenchantments.

Increase our love of you, our love of our spouse, our love of others.

For suffering will pass, joys will pass, but love will never pass. Amen. "

Anonymous author

(Find another prayer for couples hoping to have a child)

Saints who can intercede for a couple's fertility

• Sainte Colette (also find prière à sainte colette pour avoir un enfant).
• sainte Anne is the mother of the Blessed Virgin who, along with Saint Joachim, faced the ordeal of infertility for several years. Since then, Jesus' grandparents have been much prayed to by couples hoping for children, especially at the Saint Anne d'Auray shrine.
• sainte Rita is the patron saint of hopeless causes. Her parents waited several years before they could hug their daughter. Rita subsequently became a saint who can intercede for couples facing the ordeal of infertility.

Bible verses to keep trusting God in the desire to become parents

"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the Lord —plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope."(Jeremiah 29:11) (Discover more comforting verses.

"No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. Warning Against Idolatry." (1 Corinthians 10:13).

"But of this I am sure, I shall see the goodness of the Lord on the land of the living.* "Hope in the Lord, be strong and take courage; hope in the Lord." (Psalms 26:13-14)

(Discover some tips for meditating on Bible verses so that God's Word can strengthen you)

Taking care of yourself and your body during pregnancy or after a miscarriage

In the Christian tradition, the religion of the incarnation, the link between body and spirit is very important. This is reflected in the various forms of Christian meditation. Returning to the body, to feel its beauty and richness, is also a way of re-centering oneself, rediscovering one's inner self and the presence of the One who never abandons us. Here are a few Christian meditation exercises to help you stay in touch with your body and welcome your emotions :

• Relax deeplyto better open up to prayer
• Welcoming and working through anger and sadness with God's help

Beyond this, the Vittoz Method, a body-psychological method developed by Christian physician Roger Vittoz, offers a range of relaxation exercises to help you let go and relax.

(If you'd like to find out more about Christian meditation and access audios of guided meditation sessions, download Meditatio free of charge).

Taking care of your relationship in the face of an incipient or delayed pregnancy

Here are a few ideas for taking spiritual care of your couple during this difficult time:
Take time for prayer as a couple, either

• around a prayer:
  "Lord, we entrust our troubled couple to you. Pregnancy is delaying and impacting our relationship. Help us to strengthen our love so that we can face each day with confidence and hope. Thank you Lord."

(You can take a moment to write a prayer for your couple, inspired by the one above).

• a song (which could be a song of praise),
• or a meditation on a passage from the Bible: for example, the wedding at Cana, Abraham and Sarah: their barrenness and the two children God gave them, or the visitation. Mary always comes to see her children, especially those in difficulty.