Christian Adoption
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed
This was what Mary said when she met Elizabeth in Judah. Mary was probably 19 years old when the angel of the Lord met and proclaimed to her that she would bear the Son of God. The angel also announced that her relative Elizabeth has conceived despite her barrenness, for “with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37). It is a wonderful scene where these two women meet. Elizabeth was old and barren, yet with child, while Mary was very young and pregnant without ‘knowing a man’. We see God’s hand in both these miracles that defy the natural order of things.
Most of us suffering from infertility may wonder why God is putting us through this trauma, when He can heal us ‘right away’ and make us pregnant. Well, if there’s one thing we need to know about God, it’s this: He cannot be confined in a neat box! He has many acts up His sleeve and is the sovereign God who decides how and when to answer our prayers. There are times when God will do the unexpected and take us on a path we never even dreamed of.
I believe the person who said “The longest journey of any person is the journey inward”, had a long walk with God! Our struggles with infertility can be a wonderful opportunity to get rid of all the spiritual, mental, and emotional infections and dirt that have slowed us down in our walk of faith. When we trust in, rely on, and put our confidence in the Rock of Ages, we embark on an exciting journey that will take us to the place of complete rest, peace, and joy in Christ.
God works in ways that are beyond our comprehension. Sometimes, we may not like what He has planned for us. But, if we believe that we are in His thoughts and He has good plans that give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), we will welcome any surprise He throws at us. Christian adoption may be one of the surprises God has in store for infertile couples. He knows the inborn yearning in every woman to become a mother and He understands this feeling. Adoption may be His way of meeting your need to become a mother and giving a life of comfort, security, love, and faith to an abandoned child.
If you are confused about adoption, I encourage you to spend some time today in prayer. Ask God to show you what to do and lead you in your decisions concerning adoption. Believe that one day you will have a child who will rise up and call you blessed!
Christian Adoption
Celebrate Adoption this November through your church or Christian community by hanging this adoption prayer reminder on bulletin boards or around the office. Or, feel free to use the image in a slide during church services to remember those touched by adoption in prayer. Let us know how you find ways to honor adoption this month!
Please click on the image below to download a printable PDF of this prayer card!
Adoption Prayer, Christian Adoption
“The man or woman who is wholly and joyously surrendered to Christ can’t make a wrong choice—any choice will be the right one.”
-A. W. Tozer
Infertility can have a crushing impact on your life. It can bring everything to a grinding halt and leave us wondering which way to turn. Many times, couples who have been told that a natural conception is impossible, try to rush into assisted reproduction treatments or adoption. When you rush into something like adoption, you risk treating the child you adopt as a substitute for the child you never had biologically. You need to take time to deal with your feelings of frustration and depression, coming to terms with your infertility. If you choose to go the assisted reproduction way, you need to understand that no doctor can guarantee you a 100% success rate.
One way to deal with infertility and the uncertainty over your future is to surrender yourself to God’s will. Imagine a pyramid with God on top and you and your spouse at the two ends of the base. When you both move up towards God in faith, it will not only bring you closer to Him but also bring you closer to each other. The Bible says that God finds us more valuable than the birds of the sky. If He can guide the birds in their migrations, surely He wants to guide you to make the right decision concerning your future as a parent.
Oswald Sanders gives us a beautiful lesson on how to know the will of God – he says he first gathers all the information and facts needed to arrive at a decision and lifts them up to God, praying over them in His presence. He then waits on the Holy Spirit to move his mind in the direction of God’s will! He goes on to believe that God guides him by presenting reasons to his mind to act in a certain way.
If you are struggling to understand God’s will for your future as a parent, I urge you to spend time in prayer seeking His guidance. Be confident that He wants the best for you and is willing to do more than you dare to ask or dream! (Ephesians 3:20)
Adoption Prayer, Christian Adoption
Shelter our loved ones in Your shadow and grant them rest.
Shield those dear to us; we know every fear You’ll arrest.
Save them from harm and cover them as they end their days.
Please command Your angels to guard all their ways.
Rescue and protect them by the power of Your Name.
Thank You for Your faithfulness that is always the same.
~Psalm 91
The adoption journey can be a difficult one. And this is one time you want to ensure you are taking time to pray diligently. Each and every day, take time to pray for the following people, known and unknown, who will help you in your journey:
- The birth mother who is carrying or has delivered your child. Pray for strength, courage, peace, and the presence of the Holy Spirit
- The birth father. Pray he is a supportive partner to her or, if absent, that he allows her the freedom to make decisions.
- Your adoption professionals. Pray that they are strong, compassionate, understanding, and protected as they work day and night to build your family.
- Your family and friends. Ask God to encircle you with the love and support you need at this time, bringing in positive people and gently letting go of those who do not choose to be.
- Your heart. Adoption is truly a matter of the heart. Pray for His love for your birth mother and His protection as you but your heart out there.
God bless you today!
Adoption Prayer, Christian Adoption
Prayer delights God’s ear, it melts His heart, it opens His hand: God cannot deny a praying soul.
—Thomas Watson
It is so important to involve God in our everyday lives by talking to Him. Yes, talking to Him and not praying at Him! Many people confuse praying with reciting a list of requests and needs or using flowery language to impress God. In truth, prayer is simply talking to God. God loves to be a part of every aspect of our lives, from the mundane to the toughest situations we face. Adoption is one of the biggest decisions a couple can make and it can be a very confusing, difficult, and frustrating process. If you try to do it on your own, you will most likely end up jaded and feel tempted to give up when you meet the challenges of adoption. But, with God’s help, you can not only pull through but also allow Him to prepare you for parenthood.
I read this quote recently and realized how true it is when applied to our prayer lives: “Trams and trolleys and some buses have long poles which reach up and bring electricity and power to the motors from overhead wires. The pole may be within an inch of the wire, yet no power can pass; the bus or trolley stays in the same place. The people inside can sing and shout and preach and hold a great meeting, but when they get out they are still at the same place.” If we are not connected to God through prayer, we cannot progress spiritually.
No amount of preaching, praising, and worshiping can substitute for the quiet time we spend at the Master’s feet, sharing our deepest hurts and sorrows, and listening to His response. Your prayer life will establish your walk with God and will help you determine if you are on the path God has chosen for you. When you open your heart and talk to God, He will show you what He has called you to do. The answers may not be what you want to hear, but I promise you that there will always be an answer!
Christian Adoption
As an adoptive parent herself, the author of Called to Adoption understands the importance of working real person as your adoption professional – it is key to your adoption success in adopting a baby or child. It is important that you can relate to your adoption professional, and that they have an identity. Lifetime Adoption’s passion is adoption; the people who work at Lifetime Adoption are very passionate about the adoptive families, children, and birth parents that they work with. They have an open door policy, lots educational programs and info to help you make the right decision for you! LifetimeAdoption.com
