Earlier today, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, removing federal protection for the practice of elective abortion. This decision has been anticipated for weeks. And rightly so—it is monumental.
For those of us who long to see our nation protect the unborn, there is reason to rejoice. I am personally overwhelmed and thankful for the bold stance the court took for the human rights of the unborn, as all people are made in God’s image and worthy of life.
For decades, believers in our nation have prayed for an end to abortion. With that possibility more real now than it has been in years, some may assume that our work is over. It is not. Today’s ruling has varying implications for each state. In my own state of North Carolina, for instance, abortion will remain legal in many cases until something changes.
Yes, this marks a significant step. But the journey is long. I pray we will have the courage and compassion for the road ahead.
I pray that the people of Christ will join with the incredible work of pregnancy support services all throughout this country.
I pray that the people of Christ will take up the painful and beautiful work of fostering and adopting, saying yes to children who have only known society’s no.
I pray that the people of Christ will continue loving women in crisis, drawing them in rather than casting them out.
I pray that the people of Christ will continue defending the vulnerable wherever they live, and not grow weary in their efforts.
I pray that the people of Christ will be what we have always been called to be—the hands and feet of Jesus. Let us love those in crisis. Let us speak the truth, even when it is unpopular. Let us pray and labor and believe God for his kingdom to come. Not someday in the future. But here. Now. May it be in our community as it is in heaven.
I pray all this—and I plead with you to join me—not because of anything that comes from Washington. My hope, now as always, comes from a small hill outside of Jerusalem. I have an unswerving hope, and it is in the unshakeable power of Jesus Christ. On Calvary, he became weak, vulnerable, and broken for me. As he laid down his life to rescue us, we lay down our very lives to bring that rescue to others.
To the unborn—by offering them protection when they are vulnerable;
To women considering abortion—by telling them there is hope in Jesus, they can choose life, and we are here to help;
To those who have abortion as a part of their story—that Jesus came to forgive us and make all things new;
To our Republican and Democratic neighbors—that we can disagree about many things, but we can stand united in our commitment to protect the weak;
To all.
He breaks the power of canceled sin,
he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean;
his blood avails for me.
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Editor’s Note: A version of this article was originally posted, in modified form, on May 3, 2022.
