Unprecedented seems like the right word for this election cycle. Donald Trump was nominated by the Republican Party for a third time, while the sitting President stepped aside, leading the ruling party to thrust Kamala Harris into the nomination. Alongside these twists, we’ve seen assassination attempts, shifts in party platforms, and unrest on many fronts. I know we’re all weary of election talk, but I want to share some thoughts on the Church’s role in all this, particularly in confronting abortion, which is central to Love Life’s mission. Church, there is still much work to be done!
The Good:
We have all seen the direction the Democratic Party has taken over the past several decades. The party that once said, ‘We want abortion to be safe, legal, and rare,’ now has Planned Parenthood performing abortions in front of its national convention. There’s no doubt that what appears to be a Trump landslide victory sends a powerful message to the nation and to the most pro-abortion party in our country’s history.
In addition to winning the presidency, Republicans have secured the Senate, and it now seems very possible that they could also win the House. Shifting power away from the radical pro-abortion agenda is undoubtedly a positive development. Additionally, it is likely that one or more Supreme Court justices will step down this term. With Republicans able to place conservative justices on the bench, this could have positive consequences for decades to come.
Beyond those victories, a major win for LIFE happened in Florida. The Sunshine State had an amendment on the ballot, Amendment 4, that would have enshrined the ‘right to abortion’ in the state’s constitution. Thankfully, this ballot measure failed. Pro-abortion ballot measures also failed in two other states, Nebraska and South Dakota. These are encouraging results for the sake of our preborn neighbors.
The Bad:
Now, I need to address some troubling developments from this election cycle. In addition to the three states I mentioned earlier, seven other states: Arizona, Missouri, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, and New York, passed ballot measures to enshrine the ‘right to abortion’ in their state constitutions. This is heartbreaking news for the cause of LIFE in these states, many of which are expected to cast electoral votes for Donald Trump.
Sadly, the platform of the Republican Party has shifted away from a solidly pro-life stance. Many of today’s Republican leaders now echo the language of the Democratic Party from a few decades ago, repeating the statement that they want abortion to be ‘safe, legal, and rare.’
The Beautiful:
The most beautiful truth of all, despite the good and the bad, is that Jesus reigns as Sovereign over it all. None of this caught Him by surprise, and we can cling to Him through both victories and challenges. In His mercy, He has placed His Church in this world to proclaim the gospel and to uphold the truth of His Word. God has given the Church the keys to the Kingdom, and He has entrusted us with authority on the earth. The most powerful tool He has given us to wield this authority is prayer.
Though the conservative party has, in many ways, lost its saltiness, we can appeal to God through prayer to turn their hearts back in line with His. While pro-abortion ballot measures seem to have prevailed, we know a God who can reverse these decisions and turn them around for good. The miraculous overturning of Roe v. Wade stands as evidence of what God can do, even with a Supreme Court decision that once seemed irreversible.
Church, now is the time to pray more than ever. While we may have seen some victories, as long as abortion remains a blight on our nation’s conscience, we must continue to stand in the gap to see a culture or LOVE and LIFE spring forth in our nation. God works in miraculous ways when His Church prays.
This brings to mind the story of Cawana. One of over 80 abortion workers that have quit since Love Life started. Cawana worked at the busiest abortion center in the Southeast for 15 years. Because the Church was there consistently, praying and reaching out, God moved on her heart, she left the abortion industry and joined us in prayer on the sidewalk in front of the very clinic where she once worked. Whether it’s changing a nation, a state, a city, or an individual’s heart, nothing is impossible for God as we pray and intercede for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done.
This coming Saturday you have an opportunity to be a part of a prayer movement that will change history. Christians in 24 cities across the nation will be praying, worshipping, and interceding for the unborn and for our nation on November 9. Our Celebrate Life prayer walks are our largest events of the year typically drawing 5000-8000 Christians to pray at the darkest places in their city, the abortion center.
If you haven’t already signed up to join us this Saturday November 9th please visit https://lovelife.org/celebratelife to get information and let us know you are coming. We hope we will see you there.
