What is the fruit of the womb?
Before we go into prayer for fruit of the womb, let us define some terms. What is fruit of the womb? For those who don’t know what fruit of the womb is, it’s a child. Fruit in this context is a product of the womb. It is an offspring. This is terminology is archaic, and no longer widely used. You will still hear it used within the church.
Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
Infertility Statistics
If you have never thought about it, or know someone who has been through it, you may view this issue as a fairly simple one. Man mates with a woman and the fruit of the womb results. However, for many people across the world, it is not so simple. Infertility means not being able to get pregnant.[OWH]
Let’s consider some statistics when it comes to infertility.
- In the UK about 1 in 7 couples may struggle with conceiving. [NHS].
- In the US about 9% men and 11 women within reproductive age have experienced fertility problems [NIH].
- Up to 15% of reproductive-aged couples worldwide struggle with infertility.[WHO].
- Over 30% of women between the ages of 25 and 49 suffer from secondary infertility, which is the failure to conceive after an initial first pregnancy.[WHO].
About two years ago, we prayed for a lady who is from another faith. She is not a Christians but ended up becoming a part of what was happening after the Lord has given her a word of knowledge about her life. She deeply desired the fruit of the womb.
Over the next weeks/months that she was a part of our prayer meetings, she continued to receive words from the Lord! This is something that strengthened her, as she waited patiently for the miracles she so deeply desired!
Unfortunately, she left us, after being ill-treated by another member. We are a very ruthless bunch, as Christians at times. Her miracle came at about the same time. She received that which she had for so long believed Christ for, even while she was not a Christian! Our God is indiscriminate!
I mentioned this to strengthen your resolve and your faith! Won’t he do it again? Of course, he will! God is faithful!
The bible has several women who were in the same position. Desiring the fruit of the womb and waiting on God to make it happen.
Prayer for fruit of the womb: God delights in giving good gifts
Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 7:11 New King James Version (NKJV)
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Abraham and Sara’s pursuit of the fruit of the womb
Arguably the most famous case of infertility is that of Abraham and Sara.
Genesis 11:30 But Sarai was unable to become pregnant and had no children.
The hardest part of this was that the fruit of Sara’s womb carried prophetic promise from the Lord.
Genesis 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
God tells Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. This would have in their minds meant that Sara would conceive, so they waited. The longer they waited, the more the seed of doubt is sown.
Is Sara to believe that God will not keep his promise, or that he would keep it through another woman. Perhaps Abraham’s promise was not to be the fruit of her womb.
We will wait for you oh Lord! However long it may take.
This is not an easy pledge to make. To say to the Lord, we trust your process. We will wait for you. Yet we know that the bible tells us the virtues of waiting.
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
We want to say, Lord, you know all the seasons. I trust you
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens
You are the master of time! You can do anything at any time.
2 Peter 3:8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
Strengthen my faith, to always stand on your word!
We understand that by this point Sarah had turned in the towel. She was no longer holding on to God’s word over her life. The prophecy had tarried much too long, that she didn’t see it as being possible anymore. What she didn’t realise is that God begins where we turn in the towel! That is why he is God.
Genesis 18:12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
Abraham who is regarded as the father of faith had a lapse in his faith as well. He laughed at the prospect of the fruit of Sarah’s womb coming so late. May God give you a ridiculous testimony!
Father strengthen our faith to stand on your word as we believe for the fruit of the womb.
Genesis 17:17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”
My child is yours, God!
Genesis 22:12 The angel said, “Don’t kill your son or hurt him in any way. Now I can see that you do respect and obey God. I see that you are ready to kill your son, your only son, for me.”
Even after waiting so long for Isaac, Abraham was willing to give him back to the Lord!
- I don’t want to love anything or anyone more than I love you, God!
- If you give the child to me, he/she will be yours for all his/her days.
Hannah’s Pursuit of the fruit of the womb
1 Samuel 1:2
2 Elkanah had two wives. One wife was named Hannah and the other wife was named Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.
We know that Hannah was one of Elkanah’s wives. She was his favourite. He furnished her with anything that she could have desired. The only thing that she desired, but did not have was a child. Elkanah’s other wife Peninnah had several children.
Peninnah would taunt and make fun of Hannah. She cried to the Lord and waited on the Lord.
May the mouths of my enemies be shut
Samuel 1:12 Hannah prayed to the Lord a long time. Eli was watching her mouth while she was praying.
Samuel 1:19 Early the next morning Elkanah’s family got up. They worshipped the Lord and then went back home to Ramah. [Samuel’s Birth] Elkanah had sexual relations with his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered Hannah.
- May the mouth of my enemies be shut!
- Father remember me.
- Grant me the desire of my heart.
- Give me the fruit of the womb, that I may conceive and deliver.
- Lord, I trust that you are raising a wonderful testimony!
Prayer after having a miscarriage
Miscarriages are probably even harder than failing to conceive. Once you conceive, there is an emotional and physical attachment that you develop to the child. To see that taken away, lost is gut-wrenching. It leaves a feeling of emptiness. You are left with questions or perhaps even frustration or anger at the Lord.
Prayer after having a miscarriage should be raw, honest and from the heart. We want to tell the Lord everything that we feel.
- Lord, I am broken. I am hurt, this loss is difficult.
- I don’t want to be angry with you. Help me trust you, even when I am filled with pain.
- May I never be blinded by my pain.
- It hurts so much that I don’t know if I can go through conception again. Help me!
- Forgive me for questioning you.
We would love to support you in prayer. If you need someone to speak with or pray with, send in your prayer request.