Dear fellow redeemed in Christ,
Today is a somber day of humble reflection. While the prayers of many over the last 49 years have been answered in a positive way by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision of eliminating the constitutional right to abortion, we know that our country is divided on this issue. Consequently, anger and violence may arise against those who sought this decision for a long time in houses of worship and in centers of compassion and assistance for mothers and babies alike.
It is never proper for the Christian Church to gloat but to respond in humble unceasing prayer. We certainly rejoice that this so-called “right” has now been removed. But now the battle moves to the individual states where consideration will be given to laws that may enable the slaughter of babies to continue in perhaps unprecedented numbers and in even more gruesome circumstances. The time to call upon God’s mercy is still upon us.
It is also a time for us to show mercy, and to show love and care for both mothers and children who need our help.
For all sins related to the abortion issue, especially our own apathy, we repent and cry out for forgiveness. We know that Jesus came to bear all these sins upon Himself, so that we might be forgiven and have life.
Jesus said in John, chapter 10: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
We pray:
Lord God of life and death, by whose Word, order is brought to the chaos of this sinful world: we beseech you in these last days to grant Your grace and every blessing to our nation troubled by division and strife. Grant that the truths of both our sin and Your mercy in Christ continue to be proclaimed to all of us as we are in need both of correction and forgiveness. Help us all to understand that You alone are the Lord and Giver of all life and that it is when we depart from this truth that we fall into errors and sin of all sorts. Restrain the hands of those who would resort to evil to preserve evil, who would use violence to defend violence; but then grant forgiveness to those who see how they have offended You and who are in need of Your grace as found only in Him who gave His own life so that we might live in Your peace. Help us all not to put our trust in the powers of the government you have ordained for us, but rather to rely only upon Your mercies which are new every morning and which will have as their end Your glory and our good; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen.
