Below are three prayers for different decisions regarding what to do with frozen embryos that a couple or individual has chosen not to use for themselves. The first prayer is for the choice to discard frozen embryos, the second is for donating the embryos to medical research, and the third is for donating embryos other families.
1) A prayer for approving the discarding of frozen embryos
For a Couple
Sh’ma Koleinu, Adonai Eloheinu, please God, hear our prayer. We have come to a moment in our relationship in which it was time to decide how to proceed with our frozen embryos.
Upon thoughtful discussion and deep reflection, together we have decided to allow our embryos to be removed permanently from their current state and thus no longer be available for use.
Holy Energy of the World, as we move forward with this decision, we ask that our lives continue to be filled with abundant blessings in other ways and that we find peace and comfort in the decision we have made together.
Barukh atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh haolam, shehekheyanu v’kiymanu v’higianu laz’man hazeh.
Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving us life, sustaining us, and enabling us to reach this day, this decision, and this moment in time.
For an Individual
Sh’ma Koli, Adonai Eloheinu, please God, hear my prayer. I have come to a moment in my life in which it was time to decide how to proceed with my frozen embryos.
Upon thoughtful discussion and deep reflection, I have decided to allow my embryos to be removed permanently from their current state and thus no longer be available for use.
Holy Energy of the World, as I move forward with this decision, I ask that my life continue to be filled with abundant blessings in other ways and that I find peace and comfort in my decision.
Barukh atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh haolam, shehekheyanu v’kiymanu v’higianu laz’man hazeh.
Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving [me] life, sustaining [me], and enabling [me] to reach this day, this decision, and this moment in time.
2) A prayer for donating embryos to medical research
For a Couple
Sh’ma Koleinu, Adonai Eloheinu, please God, hear our prayer. We have come to a moment in our relationship in which it was time to decide how to proceed with our frozen embryos.
After thoughtful discussion and deep reflection, we have decided to donate our embryos for further medical research. In doing so, we pray that the doctors, nurses, scientists, and technicians who care for these embryos will do so with a focus on finding answers to the questions of infertility.
We pray that through our donation, we can further the medical research needed to find future solutions for loving couples and individuals struggling with fertility.
Holy Energy of the World, as we move forward with this decision, we ask that our lives continue to be filled with abundant blessings in other ways and that we find peace and comfort in the decision we have made together.
Barukh atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh haolam, shehekheyanu v’kiymanu v’higianu laz’man hazeh.
Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving us life, sustaining us, and enabling us to reach this day, this decision, and this moment in time.
For an Individual
Sh’ma Koli, Adonai Eloheinu, please God, hear my prayer. I have come to a moment in my life in which it was time to decide how to proceed with my frozen embryos.
Upon thoughtful discussion and deep reflection, I have decided to donate my embryos for further medical research. In doing so, I pray that the doctors, nurses, scientists, and technicians who care for these embryos will do so with a focus on finding answers to the questions of infertility.
I pray that through my donation I am able to further the medical research needed to find future solutions for loving couples and individuals struggling with fertility.
Holy Energy of the World, as I move forward with this decision, I ask that my life continue to be filled with abundant blessings in other ways and that I find peace and comfort in my decision.
Barukh atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh haolam, shehekheyanu v’kiymanu v’higianu laz’man hazeh.
Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving [me] life, sustaining [me], and enabling [me] to reach this day, this decision, and this moment in time.
3) A prayer for donating embryos to other couples seeking fertilized embryos
For a Couple
Sh’ma Koleinu, Adonai Eloheinu, please God, hear our prayer. We have come to a moment in our relationship in which it was time to decide how to proceed with our frozen embryos.
After thoughtful discussion and deep reflection, we have decided to donate our embryos to a service that will help other couples or individuals welcome a child into their lives. While biologically, we know the child will carry with them our genetics, we pray that they are born into a home that will love them unconditionally.
Knowing the struggles of infertility, we pray that this gift will change a couple’s or individual’s entire life and world.
Holy Energy of the World, as we move forward with this decision, we ask that our lives continue to be filled with abundant blessings in other ways and that we find peace and comfort in the decision we have made together.
Barukh atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh haolam, shehekheyanu v’kiymanu v’higianu laz’man hazeh.
Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving us life, sustaining us, and enabling us to reach this day, this decision, and this moment in time.
For an Individual
Sh’ma Koli, Adonai Eloheinu, please God, hear my prayer. I have come to a moment in my life in which it was time to decide how to proceed with my frozen embryos.
After thoughtful discussion and deep reflection, I have decided to donate my embryos to a service that will help other couples or individuals welcome a child into their lives. While biologically, I know the child will carry with them part of my genetics, I pray that they are born into a home that will love them unconditionally.
Knowing the struggles of infertility, I pray that this gift will change a couple’s or individual’s entire life and world.
Holy Energy of the World, as I move forward with this decision, I ask that my life continue to be filled with abundant blessings in other ways and that I find peace and comfort in my decision.
Barukh atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh haolam, shehekheyanu v’kiymanu v’higianu laz’man hazeh.
Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, for giving [me] life, sustaining [me], and enabling [me] to reach this day, this decision, and this moment in time.
*Source for decision making: https://www.ccarnet.org/responsa-topics/in-vitro-fertilization-and-the-status-of-the-embryo/?fbclid=IwAR3ZfwKnALxoFr9aVZM72kXh2_U7UnLPIiXyFKKIdlyKAv0aT1Rn4YmOcUM
