Prayer on Behalf of a Woman in Labor
The following Psalm 20 should be recited 12 times while a woman is in labor: For the conductor: A Psalm of David. May the Eternal answer you on the day of distress; may the Name of Jacob's God strengthen you. May He send your help from His holy place and support you from Zion. May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice, Selah. May He grant you your wishes and fulfill all your plans. We will sing at your deliverance and raise our banner in the Name of our God; may the Eternal fulfill all your requests. Now I know that the Eternal has delivered his anointed; He will answer him from His holy Heaven with the mighty salvation of His right hand. Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we call out in the Name of the Eternal, our God. They have knelt and fallen, but we have risen and remain upright. Eternal, Deliver us; the King will answer us on the day we call.
Afterwards say
May it be Your will our God and God of our Forefathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, the great, mighty, and awesome God, that You act for the sake of Your mercy and of the holiness of this Psalm and of Your Names that are written in and derived from it. May You have compassion on _________ (Women's Hebrew name) daughter of ___________ (father's Hebrew name) who is undergoing labor pains. Merciful God, remove her from darkness to light. In the merit of our mothers Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, have mercy on her and remember her for good and a blessing, for she depends on You. Remove from upon her all evil or difficult decrees and relieve her suffering. May her baby emerge to a good and peaceful life in an auspicious and blessed time for us and for the child, and may she suffer no harmful after-effects. Hear our prayer as You did that of the Psalms composer (King David). May He who answers the mother answer the child. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing before You, Eternal, my Rock and my Redeemer.