Prayer is a key element in a Christian’s walk with Jesus. It’s the doorway to our intimate relationship with Him. Through scripture and attending church, we’re encouraged to pray with confidence to receive what our Father in heaven has stored up for us. How much more would God want us to pray about our adoption decision?
When you begin to consider adoption, prayer will be your foundation as you make decisions and plans in every step of the process. Without prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures, we cannot continuously achieve the balance we need physically, emotionally, and spiritually. God desires to help us in every aspect of life. Our part is to accept blessings provided to us by Jesus as Our Lord and seek direction from His Church to know His will in building your family.
According to Ephesians 1:5, our Heavenly Father planned in advance that His children would not only be born into His family, but that we would also be received as His adopted children “according to the good pleasure of His will.” Adoption has always been on His heart. Joseph adopted and accepted Jesus as his child as well. Adoption is mentioned throughout the Scriptures.
God’s desire for us is that we achieve our adoption goals with confidence. The Bible in 1 John 5:14-15 encourages us, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
If you are thinking about adoption, you will receive direction for building your family as you spend time in God’s word and call upon Him in prayer for help each day. Peace in your decision will become clearer and you will be assured as to the next step as you turn to Him and commit to these daily activities:
- Seek His wisdom and plan for you
- Read and study His Holy Word
- Pray for step-by-step guidance
- Attend church on a regular basis
- Know that delay is not denial
- Wait for God’s direction before responding in every decision
Yes, adoption takes time and patience. And, for most of us, waiting isn’t the easiest thing to do, especially when we are looking for an immediate answer. My own adoption was a test in faith and believing that the Lord would fulfill our desire to be a mom and dad. I struggled through the hard times when people around me were chosen as adoptive parents over us. Honestly, at times I felt God had forgotten us, but He hadn’t. And when our time came, God rewarded us with the most wonderful little boy.
God is good, and I can’t imagine life without our son. Though our wait for the child the Lord had for us was hard, I soon forgot it. Once I had my son in my arms and our eyes met, I knew this was the child the Lord had for us to love and parent.
God knows the desire of your hearts. If you will trust Him and have confidence in His Divine plan for your life, you will find it easier to hear His guidance and find peace in allowing Him to order your steps in finding your child. He will give you the desires of your heart and you will have the child He desires for you in your arms.
By waiting on the Lord, you will develop patience and understanding. You will learn to depend totally on Him, and your foundation will be laid for the wonderful days and years ahead as you fulfill your responsibilities as Godly parents.
If you approach the adoption process confidently trusting the Lord and prayerfully seeking His will in every detail, you will have set yourself up for the most exciting adventure of your life—the journey to parenthood!
Founder of Lifetime Adoption, adoptive mom, adoption expert, and Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P).
Since 1986, adoption expert Mardie Caldwell has been dedicated to bringing couples and birth parents together in order to fulfill their dreams.
“Many years ago, I was also searching for a child to adopt. We didn’t know where or how to get started. Through research, determination, and a prayer, our dream of a family became reality. I started with a plan, a notebook, assistance from a caring adoption consultant and a lot of hard work; this was my family I was building. We had a few heartaches along the way, but the pain of not having children was worse!
Within weeks we had three different birth mothers choose us. We were overwhelmed and delighted. Many unsettling events would take place before our adoption would be finalized, many months later. Little did I know that God was training and aligning me for the adoption work I now do today. It is my goal to share with our families the methods and plans which succeed and do not succeed. I believe adoption should be affordable and can be a wonderful “pregnancy” for the adoptive couple.
I have also been on both sides of infertility with the loss of seven pregnancies and then conceiving by new technology, giving birth to a healthy daughter. I have experienced first-hand the emotional pain of infertility and believe my experience allows me to serve your needs better.
It is my hope that for you, the prospective parents, your desire for a child will be fulfilled soon.”