Thursday, October 25, 2012

Praying Scriptures for Your NICU Baby


Photo by Ryk Neethling
Before I ever was the mother of a micropreemie, I was a born again follower of Christ Jesus. The only thing that kept me going through the difficulties of our two month NICU stay was knowing that a loving and sovereign God had planned this ordeal for His glory and our good. There was a purpose in our pain, and a loving Guide to lead us through it.

The Lord used time spent with Him in His Word and prayer to truly encourage me and steady my heart during our daughter's roller coaster ride beginning. While I love just speaking my heart before the Lord, I've also found praying specific Scripture passages to be a great blessing.

Think about it.

The Bible is God's Word. When you pray His Word, you can know that you are praying words that are honoring to Him- after all, He wrote them!

The Bible reveals God's character. As I read, study, and pray the Bible, I am growing in my understanding of who God is. Because He is good, this is encouraging!

The Bible is chock full of God's promises. He always keeps His Word. As I read, memorize, and pray over these promises, I experience assurance that He will deliver on them.



If you are interested in trying this exercise for yourself, here are a few Scripture passages that I found particularly helpful during our daughter's hospitalization:

Psalm 139:13-18. Praise God for the way He has intricately woven your baby together, first in your womb, and now outside of it. Thank Him for the opportunity to watch His hand at work. Thank Him for forming all of your child's days in His book, long before they took their first breath! Be comforted that He has a plan for them and is in control.

Psalm 71:6. Acknowledge that God brought your baby out of your womb. Thank Him that His timing is perfect, even in preterm delivery. Ask for grace to praise Him continually, even though life is painful right now.

Psalm 71:20. Even though this situation is all consuming and awful, thank God that is is only for a season. Ask Him to revive you again and bring you through!

Psalm 90:16. Ask Him to help you see Him at work. Plead that His glorious power would be displayed in your baby's miraculous life.

Psalm 119:50. Thank Him that He has provided comfort in your affliction. Thank Him for the promise of life to all who believe.

Romans 8:18-30. Praise God that the sufferings of this life don't even compare to the glory of eternity in heaven with Christ! Thank Him for the hope you have in Christ. Praise God that the Spirit intercedes and prays for us when we don't know how to pray. Thank Him that all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8: 31-39. Thank God that He didn't spare His own Son but gave Him up for us. Thank Him that He graciously gives us all things. Remind yourself that you are more than a conqueror through Him who loved you. Thank God that nothing can separate us from His love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 4:4-8. Ask God for help to rejoice in Him always. Ask Him to protect your from anxiety and to guard your heart with His peace. One by one name the things that are making you anxious (an infection, pending surgery, oxygen and apnea issues, whatever!) and make your specific requests for His help. Thank Him for hearing. Ask Him to guard your mind and to help you think only what is true and beneficial.

James 1:2-8. Ask God to help you count this trial as joy. Thank Him that the testing of your faith produces patience and maturity as a Christian. Ask Him to give you wisdom as you seek to care for your baby and make important medical decisions. Thank Him for giving generously and without reproach. Ask Him for faith to believe and not doubt.




These are just a few to get you started. As you read portions of Scripture each day, pray through the passages you're reading. There is great comfort in knowing the God of the Bible. May He guard your heart, guide you through, and grant you peace!

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In addition to prayer support Preemie Prints gives the gift of no-charge NICU or NICU Graduate Photography (up to 1 year of age) please see our program location map to see if we have a volunteer in your area. With over 75 volunteers nationwide we might. We would love to give this gift to you and your family! Visit www.preemieprints.org to learn about all of our programs.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Last night we had a beautiful candle lighting and balloon release ceremony following our family potluck dinner to honor our angels. Here is a beautiful slideshow put together by a Preemie Prints volunteer.




Thursday, October 11, 2012

More Multiples! These NICU grads will steal your heart!!

Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they are while overcoming an extremely difficult time! 

A note from mom:
"I had B/B twins who were born premature at 32 weeks and 4 days.. born emergency C-Section and completley unexpected but we took it, we really didn't have a choice! :) They have been 8 months full of blessings and miracles. Kyler was born at 3 lbs 15 oz and Keegan was 3 lbs 5 oz. Tiny little miracles. They camped out in the TCH NICU for 34 days... the first 2 days were the longest days of our lives. Kyler was born with congential heart disease and had 2 heart caths while in the hosptial...... Keegan was born little but fairly healthy. 34 days seemed like 5 years... very grateful for the services TCH provided but I was so ready to bring my babies home! :)"

Volunteer Photographers:
Jennifer Elmore - Houston, Tx

A note from photography volunteer Jennifer
"Keegan and Kyler were such a joy to photograph. They were unsure of the whole "camera in my face" thing, but Mom (Kim) and Dad (Scott) were such a big help. It was truly a pleasurable experience meeting such a wonderful family."
These images are property of Preemie Prints, our volunteer photographers, and our families who have allowed us to share them with you. Please do not use for any purpose.





Tuesday, October 9, 2012

A NICU Quads Shoot From Preemie Prints!

Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they are while overcoming an extremely difficult time!

A note from mom:
"So far our journey has been very short but it can turn out to be very long. We are doing our best to divide our time equally. We have a 2yr old at home and were trying to spend time with her and with our babies in the NICU. I gave birth to Quadruplets and we have two girls and two boys. They were born at 33weeks 2 days.They just turned to 34 weeks. We would love to have someone to come and take some pictures of our little miracles."

Volunteer Photographers:
Lindsey Clare - New Braunfels, Tx

A note from photography volunteer Lindsey
"What a blessing and miracle the birth of a baby is, but for 2 lucky parents they received 4 sweet blessings at one time! I was honored to be able to photograph these precious babies at 10 days old while they're finishing their stay in the NICU. Their personalities are already shining through their tiny little bodies!! I loved all the faces they made, and they were dressed so cute for their photo shoot. I'm sure they'll be running with their big sister in no time!!"
These images are property of Preemie Prints, our volunteer photographers, and our families who have allowed us to share them with you. Please do not use for any purpose.