Delivery - Kyrie for Mother and Baby

"Lord, have mercy upon us."

Note: “Lord, have mercy!” is a prayer found in the Old Testament and is repeatedly offered to Jesus Christ in the Gospels. The Church has continued this prayer of the faithful over the centuries since. The Greek translation, ‘Kyrie, Eleison!’ is often shortened to ‘Kyrie (Kir-ee-ay)’ as reference to a prayer that repeats the refrain.

Lord God, Heavenly Father,

You Who ordered the sun, moon, and stars for the good of mankind —
have mercy upon us.

You Who ordained the cascade of labor and of relaxation —
have mercy upon us.

You Who promised blessing on Christian mothers in childbearing —
have mercy upon us.

You Who knit me together in my mother’s womb —
have mercy upon us.

You Who have carried me through every trouble since —
have mercy upon us.

You Who granted this life to be carried in my womb —
have mercy upon us.

You Who cause both hearts to beat apart from any thought or effort of our own —
have mercy upon us.

You Who carried Your Son through delivery as an infant —
have mercy upon us.

O Son of God, the Word Incarnate,

You Who descended to the womb, the grave —
have mercy upon us.

You Who healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead —
have mercy upon us.

You Who promised Your everlasting presence to all who are united to You by faith —
have mercy upon us.

You Whose love makes possible the obedience to Your command, “Do not be afraid” —
have mercy upon us.

You Who labored in agony in Gethsemane —
have mercy upon us.

You Who gave up Your own body as a sacrifice to bring forth the Church —
have mercy upon us.

O Holy Spirit, Comforter and Advocate,

You Who proceed from the Father and the Son to give life to all flesh —
have mercy upon us.

You Who protect me from all evil spirits —
have mercy upon us.

You Who deliver to me the life-giving words of my Savior —
have mercy upon us.

You Who intercede for me as imperfect words and desperate groans proceed from my lips to heaven —
have mercy upon us.

You Who descended upon this flesh of mine in Baptism that it may one day rise again —
have mercy upon us.

O Sovereign and Triune God,

in Whose hands are all of heaven and earth,

Grant to me and this child Your protection in delivery.
Deliver me from the fear of death.
Grant me peace in the blood of Jesus.
Bring us from the hour of trial to the joy of a newborn baby, and the washing of regeneration at the font.

You are good to all, and Your mercy is over all that You have made.

Have mercy upon us.

Amen.