I have the privilege of praying with my church today on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Here is what is on my heart. This post kicks off a week of exploring the issues of justice, repentance and redemption that surround this topic. May God have mercy on us all.
*************
Most of you were born after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in the notorious Roe v. Wade decision. You have grown up to be called "Generation Justice" -- a group who is intensely interested in the issues of social justice. But there are millions of this generation missing --government statistics record 1.5 million abortions each year in the U.S. Even more happen abroad. As a result, it's not surprising that the Gallup poll reported more Americans aged 18 to 29 are trending pro-abortion. The right to life is the most basic of justice issues.
But what to do about this? Many have compared the abolition movement headed by William Wilberforce to the pro-life movement of today. Both movements seek to convince the ruling majority to change their opinion about a group that has been designated less than fully human. If that be the case, may we be as firmly grounded on the gospel as Wilberforce was. And for those of us who have either obtained abortions or helped others do so -- or even once supported the abortion movement -- may we be as amazed by the grace of repentance and forgiveness as was John Newton, the former slave trader who penned the hymn we know so well, "Amazing Grace." This amazing gospel addresses both the injustice of abortion and the guilt and pain of those who have experienced it. The cross is the answer for all of us who are hurt and broken.
Therefore, I'd like to pray today that the Holy Spirit will bring conviction to our nation on the issue of abortion as He once did with slavery and other justice issues. And I'd like to pray that the God of all endurance and encouragement will help us to persevere in this area, not growing weary of doing good, so that we may clearly and boldly address the injustice of abortion while proclaiming the gospel of redemption to those who support and participate in it.
Father, we confess the sin of selfishness that undergirds the idea that a growing, genetically separate human being is not fully worthy of life. Have mercy on our nation, Lord. Give us the grace to repent and change as a nation. Thank you for the revelations of genetic science that show us how You have made each of us as unique beings, just as Psalm 139 teaches us. Holy Spirit, strengthen us to speak up boldly, proclaiming your justice and mercy that are found in the cross of Christ. Do not let us grow indifferent and apathetic in the long struggle for change. Give us, as well, the grace and conviction to help women with unwanted pregnancies, to care for orphans, to restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and vice versa. Help us to manifest the change we pray for. We ask all of this in Jesus' holy and powerful name, Amen.
Why dont you set up a care centre that women can bring the babies they do not want to?
Posted by: Laura | January 23, 2011 at 02:04 PM
Thank you for this! I was born in the early 60's before Roe v. Wade to a poor 16-year-old unwed mother who gave me up for adoption. She refused to give the name of my father to social services due to circumstances of the pregnancy. If legal abortions were readily available to her, I would probably not be writing this.
Now, I wonder just how many young women are not reading this because they were conceived under similar circumstances after Roe v. Wade? The idea of that makes me weep. Again, thanks for praying.
Posted by: Deb W. | January 23, 2011 at 03:15 PM
I read your post and then read this horrifying article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/us/23doctor.html?hpw
Posted by: Anonymous | January 23, 2011 at 09:22 PM
I join you in your prayer.
Posted by: Terry | January 25, 2011 at 06:45 AM