Experiencing an unplanned pregnancy is one of the most stressful situations you’ll ever find yourself in. It’s normal to have many questions if this is something you’re going through, particularly if your religion is important to you. Is it wrong to give my baby up for adoption if I’m a Christian? Is putting a child up for adoption a sin? What’s the Christian view of placing a baby for adoption? Is there a prayer for expectant mothers considering adoption?

At this point, you may be feeling overwhelmed. Our first advice is to breathe. It’s going to be okay. Our second piece of advice is to talk to a religious leader in your community, whether that’s a preacher, a pastor, a church elder, or someone else whose views you respect and look up to. In the meantime, though, the following information may be helpful to you as a Christian woman considering adoption.

Is it Wrong to "Give My Baby Up" for Adoption if I’m a Christian?

Please know that it is never wrong to give your baby up for adoption if you feel that that’s the best choice for you. If you make the selfless choice to place your child with a family who can give him or her the best life imaginable when you know that you can’t, in no way is that considered a sin.

If you’re wondering, “Is it a sin to put a child up for adoption?” it can be helpful to consider the benefits of adoption for yourself, your baby, and the adoptive family should you choose this path. These include:

• Helping a family to have a child
• Ensuring that your baby is financially provided for
• Ensuring that your baby grows up in a safe, stable and loving home
• Gaining access to both emotional and financial support throughout and after your pregnancy
• Remaining an important part of your child’s life through open or semi-open adoption

It can also be helpful, when considering the Christian view of placing a baby for adoption, to turn to the Bible.

Scriptures About Giving a Child Up for Adoption

We frequently hear questions from women looking for Bible verses about giving up a child. For Christians, the Bible can be a source of inspiration and comfort, so it’s completely reasonable to search for a Bible verse for someone giving up a child for adoption. If this is something you have done or are considering doing, the following verses may help provide comfort throughout the adoption process:

• “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
• “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
• “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knows, the door will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8
• “You are the helper of the fatherless. Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.” – Psalms 10:14,17-18
• “And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” – 2 Corinthians 6:18
• “To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive adoption as sons.” – Galatians 4:5
• “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” – James 1:27
• “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

A Prayer for Expectant Mothers Considering Adoption

For many women, it can be helpful to say a prayer for giving baby up for adoption. In terms of a generic prayer for a mom who “gives a baby up” for adoption, that can be difficult as everyone’s experience with adoption is different. We encourage you to talk to God about your own individual situation and ask for guidance and strength. It can also be helpful to read prayers from adoptive parents for birth parents to see how much that relationship can mean to them. Below, we’ve posted “A Prayer for Birth Parents” from the Adoptimist blog:

“Dear Merciful Father, I ask you to bless all birth parents. Please give them Hope in a bright future and fill that future with abundant blessings; Please give them Peace of mind and heart for that incredible sacrifice they made for their children; Please give them Respect from others for the decision they chose; And Comfort and grace for choosing life over abortion.

I ask you Lord Jesus to Bless all birth parents with a positive relationship with their child’s adoptive families. Please bless these extended families with Clear communication; Constant gratitude; and Unconditional love. I ask the Lord Jesus to heal the families that have not had a positive relationship in the past and to move forward with forgiveness, mercy and love.

May the Holy Spirit assure every birth parent: That they are never alone; That God loves them on a level so incredibly deep no human heart could fully comprehend it; That there is always a reason to hope; And that God created them for a reason only they can fulfill. May all birth parents be blessed with Endurance during difficult times; Optimism for the road ahead; and Confidence in Divine Love. I ask this most especially for my own child’s/children’s birth parents. Amen.”

Still not sure about giving your baby up for adoption as a Christian? Feel free to call us anytime at 1-800-ADOPTION for free, unbiased advice. If you do decide that adoption is right for you, we can help you create an adoption plan you feel comfortable with and assist you in searching for Christian adoptive parents, if it is important to you that your baby’s adoptive family share your faith. 

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. America Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.