“This Is Just The Beginning”
[Praying 50 Years Post-Roe]
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)
17 Pray without ceasing!
Sunday January 22, 2023 marked 50 years since the verdict on one of the most life altering and catastrophic Supreme Court decisions that this country has ever known. This decision simply became known as Roe v. Wade. The verdict that was handed down on this day in 1973 codified abortion law in America!
This decision withstood much opposition from political activists, pro-life campaigners and even pro-life presidents!
Over the course of the next 50 years there were multiple appeals made against this decision, but in spite of the political climate, the prayers of many Christians, the violent outbursts against abortion clinics and the impassioned pleas of pro-life advocates; this decision stood. It cast its dark shadow upon the history of our nation, enabling the deaths of over 60 million lives in America alone. It seemed that the precedent that had been set by this ruling would be the final say concerning Abortion in America!
Until, June 24th 2022 when the Supreme Court ruled to overturn this nearly 50 year precedent! The majority opinion that was released by Justice Samuel Alito stated that “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start and its reasoning was exceptionally weak!” Also during that same statement it was noted that Roe v. Wade has “enflamed debate and deepened division.” [Roe v. Wade – Wikipedia] This kind of reversal of a nearly 50 year precedent is almost unheard of in the ranks of the Supreme Court!
Think about it, in a time when pro-abortion candidates held office in the White House, and also had majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives; this ruling moved forward! In the most unlikely of times and most unlikely of ways, this tragic ruling was overturned! I have to give glory to God that this decision happened even is such a time as this!
ROE IS DEAD, BUT ABORTION IS VERY ALIVE!
I do rejoice in the fact that the overturning of Roe v. Wade was and still is a win for the lives of the unborn. However, I fear that many that hold to a Christian worldview have perceived this ruling as the end of a tragic and bloody chapter in our nation’s history, but this is just the start. This decision has caused pro-choice states to double down on their abortion campaigning!
Where can we be most effective?
How can we help this worthy cause?
What’s the next step?
These are all questions that arise when we come to this issue, but I believe as Christians our first step should be earnest prayer about this ever evolving issue!
I believe that what took place last June was just a glimpse of what we could see in our local areas if we give ourselves to earnest prayer for innocent lives.
What then should we pray for?
Abortion is a “sin problem”, therefore we should start by praying for the “sin killing” power of the Gospel to effect our communities and local abortion providers.
I have recently read reports by reputable ministries that abortion clinics, in pro-choice areas, have closed the doors because either the workers stopped showing up for work, or their “bottom line” couldn’t be met due to the lack of patients! [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/…/after-dobbs-pro…/ ]
Sin cannot be fully contained or stopped with legislation alone! Yes, it is good to pray for such legislation but let us pray the more fervently that the “sin killing” power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would penetrate the darkness and cause the doors to such clinics to close due to the lack of demand and support!
This is just the beginning!
As Paul declared, “Let us pray without ceasing!”
