You’ve likely heard these common phrases. “Love them both”, “Pro-Woman, Pro-Life”, “Abortion Hurts Women”, these are typical statements that you’ll hear at most pro-life events. These statements aren’t wrong, but something is glaringly absent from these common pro-life slogans.
What is missing? Have we forgotten someone?
For every child, there is a mother AND a father. Whether the father has taken responsibility for his child or not, he is still an important part of the equation. Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion research group, records that 48% of women who abort say their reason for having an abortion is they “did not want to be a single mother or were having relationship problems.” Some research suggests that 80-90% of mothers contemplating abortion would not have considered it had the father been supportive of keeping the baby.
The church is called to disciple men to be Godly fathers and protectors. Sadly, when it comes to the issue of abortion many in the church see it as only a women’s issue but men can have a life-saving impact.
One example of that happened recently at a Planned Parenthood in Ventura, California. When the sidewalk team urged the people streaming in to come talk to them, most ignored them. However, Anthony* walked over and began to pour out his heart.
“I just felt like this was wrong on the way over here,” he, confessed. He told them about the demanding situation he faced. He also told the team that he believed in God. The team begged him to be the man God designed him to be and try to get his girlfriend out. First, they prayed with him.
He cried out to the Lord in repentance, bringing the whole group to tears.
I know I haven’t done everything right in my life, God, and I’m sorry,” Anthony said. “But please, save my baby. I need you, my Lord. I need you.”
Soon after the prayer, he got a phone call from his girlfriend! “Please don’t do this,” he begged her. “I deserve to see my child. Our baby deserves a chance to live. The baby is a person, and no matter what’s going on in our lives, we can do this together.”
A few minutes later, Anthony went inside. Soon he came walking out with a huge smile on his face, holding an ultrasound photo!
“SHE DIDN’T DO IT!”
Love Life has seen stories like this play out on the sidewalks and even in churches. If men take a stand, they can be the voice of life that a woman needs to hear. Our desire is to equip and challenge the church and the pro-life movement to include men in conversations around abortion. It starts with uniting and mobilize the men of God, pastors, across the nation to take a bold stand for life. God has anointed the shepherds as watchmen in their cities to call men to treat women with honor and protect their children.
Your prayers and financial support will go a long way in getting this message to church. You will help equip men to be the guardians and protectors they are called to be. Consider supporting the mission of Love Life now.