17 Inspiring Bible Verses about Adoption

Adoption is an incredibly rewarding experience for parents, but it can also be a difficult and emotional process. Fortunately, the Bible offers inspiring verses about adoption that can help those going through this journey to find comfort and strength. From God’s heart for orphans to his love for us as His own adopted children, here are some of the most inspirational Bible verses about adoption.

The Bible speaks clearly on God’s heart for orphans. James 1:27 says “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." This verse reminds adoptive parents of their special role in caring for vulnerable children—a role that will be rewarded both now and in eternity.

Adoption should not be pursued lightly or out of convenience but rather out of genuine love and compassion for those in need (1 John 3:17). Adoptive parents must take seriously their commitment to provide a stable home environment where a child can grow into maturity with all the love they need.

The Bible provides us with a beautiful picture of adoption. Regardless of the brokenness we've experienced in life, God pursues us with his love and adopts us into His family when we accept Jesus as our Lord Savior (Romans 8:15-17). We have been accepted by grace into the loving arms of a heavenly Father who deeply cares about our well-being; understanding this profound truth can give us hope in hard times.

There are many encouraging Bible verses about adoption which remind us of God’s deep compassion towards vulnerable children and ultimately how He has welcomed us into His family through faith in Jesus Christ. Whether you are considering adopting or need a reminder of God's love for you – these Bible verses about adoption will give you hope despite the challenges you may be facing.

Bible Verses about Adoption

Ephesians 1:3-6

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

John 1:12-13

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 14:18

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Romans 8:14-17

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:23

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 9:8

This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.

Galatians 3:26 

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

Galatians 4:3-7

In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

1 John 3:1

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Caring for Orphans

Deuteronomy 10:18

He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.

Psalm 27:10

For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

Psalm 68:5-6

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home.

Psalm 82:3

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.

James 1:27

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Examples of Adoption in the Bible

Esther 2:7

He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

Acts 7:20-22

At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God's sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father's house, and when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

A Prayer for Adopted Children

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today with grateful hearts, acknowledging Your deep love and compassion for all Your children. Thank you for the gift of adoption, which reflects Your own love for us as Your adopted children through faith in Jesus Christ.

Lord, we pray for those who are considering adoption, that You would guide their steps and fill their hearts with genuine love and compassion for the children in need. May they find strength, wisdom, and patience as they navigate the complex process of adoption.

We also lift up the children who are waiting to be adopted. May they experience Your love, comfort, and protection as they await a forever family. Please place them in the arms of loving and devoted parents who will help them grow in Your love and grace.

For those who have already opened their hearts and homes to adopt, we ask for Your continued blessings and guidance. Help them to be a source of love, stability, and support for their adopted children, showing them the same grace and mercy You have shown us.

Father, we pray for a world where the vulnerable are cared for, where the fatherless find families, and where love abounds. May Your love be the driving force behind every adoption story, and may those who adopt be blessed and encouraged by Your Word.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.