Expecting: Praying for Your Child's Development―Body and Soul

by Marla Taviano

Wrap Your New Baby in Prayer

Just as the heart of your baby begins to beat and as little ears take shape, speak words of prayer asking for a heart that beats for God and for ears that listen for His leading. This beautiful prayer book will guide you as you pray for your child's physical growth as well as his or her spiritual growth. The precious forty weeks of creation will become even more meaningful as you reflect on the illustrations that depict your baby's development.

Each week you will be blessed

Create a keepsake you and your child will cherish forever

Genres: Parenting, Christian

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 6, 2009

About the author

Marla Taviano is into books, love, justice, globes, anti-racism, blue, gray, rainbows, and poems. She reads and writes for a living, wears her heart on her t-shirts, and is on a mission/quest/journey to live wholefarted (not a typo). She’s the author of unbelieve: poems on the journey to becoming a heretic and jaded: a poetic reckoning with white evangelical christian indoctrination. Marla lives in South Carolina with her four freaking awesome kids. Find out more at marlataviano.com.

Reviews

[Kristen Luppino · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the parts about mom and baby development and the prayers and connection to scripture. There were times though where the subject matter was more conservative than my view, so I rewrote some. I appreciated most of the reflective journaling.

[Morgan Wartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book to guide you through babies development in utero and pray over the little blessing that is now my whole world💙 praise Jesus!

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I close the cover of this little book I have a few tears in my eyes. I could easily blame it on the pregnancy hormones, but that would only be half true. The idea of imagining that it is really only days if not weeks that I will be able to meet my little girl is unreal. What is funny to me is the part that I read at the last chapter that really gave me tears was the mention that as the mother I will not be the only one with tears, but Daddy will have them too. *grin* I never much think of my husband crying, or having tears run down his cheeks. But it was he that had tears of joy at our wedding and I was too astonished to have any myself. I just could not help but smile at him. How appropriate is it, that the idea of my first child being born reminds me wedding day. *sigh*

Taviano really has a way with prayer and words through out this little devotional and I look forward to looking into some of her other books such as Changing Your World One Diaper at a Time A Reflective Journey Through Your Child's First Years. This book goes for 40 weeks to follow each week of pregnancy with tips and prayers. Each week chapter consists of: - a prayer for your child's body and soul - a devotional message - a carefully selected scripture - an inspirational quote - a "body and soul" reflection for mom - a space for you to journal your own thoughts and prayers.

Without a doubt I would recommend this to every Mama who is expecting. It is a fabulous devotional for her own growth and would make a great gift. My only qualm was that I did not get a copy of it until after I was 20 weeks pregnant, I wish I had started earlier, but I still enjoyed going back and catching up where I missed.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes what is happening in the current phase of your baby's development and links it to a verse, a devotion, a prayer, and a journal activity. While the developmental info is basic and the same I've been reading elsewhere, Marla Taviano makes it even more special and meaningful by reminding us how God is working in it all. I like how you pray for your baby even way into the future, and pray for each part as it forms. For example, here is an excerpt from the prayer for Week 10, when the upper lip forms:

"I pray that my child will use her lips in a way that is pleasing to you, Lord. There is so much potential in such a small part of the body. A person's lips can be a vehicle of negativity and harmful words or they can be used to speak life and hope into others."

However, I don't like how much the author speaks for you in the prayers and assumes you share her exact viewpoints on everything. I know since
she is writing prayers, she has to take something and go with it, but it's weird to have her essentially put words in my mouth over something so personal. I think the part that sits with me wrong is that through her, I'm supposed to tell God what I'm feeling when I don't necessarily feel that way. Those parts felt artificial, but there were times when my sentiments matched hers.

We did get a hoot over how often she mentions the testicles dropping. She seems obsessed with that and reported it happening about three separate times in the pregnancy! Altogether, a touching book, although it has moments when it comes across as cheesy or rubs me the wrong way. It was emotional and wonderful to think about how God will someday use this little baby who is now still within me. I do truly hope that I raise him to know his Father deeply and to live for Him.

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that takes the reader through each week of pregnancy & all the changes going on. It has guided prayers for Baby's spiritual and physical development. It offers insight for new moms as well. A GREAT book to give a 1st time expectant mom!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for praying over every inch of your growing child inside your belly. Gave this book to a friend whose husband is a doctor and she exclaimed, "Wow, finally a book that isn't just about the medical perspective of pregnancy!"

[Laura Stiller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet prayer journal through your pregnancy.