On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its much-anticipated opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, a case that concerns the constitutionality of a pro-life Mississippi law and directly challenges the abortion jurisprudence of Roe v. Wade. The Court has ruled to overturn Roe and send the authority to enact legislation protecting unborn life back to the states and to Congress, placing the power to protect the most vulnerable in the hands of the people once again.
The fight to protect unborn children and their mothers is far from over. With this ruling, the abortion industry that has been built through the exploitation of women and the killing of their children has been dealt a devastating blow. Still, our work is far from finished. In some states, the evil of abortion that ends the life of an unrepeatable child, breaks the heart of a mother and father, and shatters the conscience of a nation continues (learn which states don’t currently have protections for the unborn here). Therefore, we must double our efforts to support mothers and fathers in need.
Here is a list of 10 things that you can do to build a culture of life now that the Court has overturned Roe:
1. Pray. Prayer is powerful. Right now, the most important thing you can do to protect unborn children and their mothers is to pray. To help you get started, Family Research Council has compiled a helpful prayer guide, available here. Consider praying with a friend outside an abortion business. If there isn’t an abortion business near you, consider hosting a prayer for life event at your church.
2. Discern whether your family is being called to adopt. There are always babies in need of parents. As members of the pro-life community, we should all discern whether God is calling us to radically love others by opening our home to a child in need. Focus on the Family provides a number of helpful resources on this topic.
3. Support a pregnancy resource center. In 2019, pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) nationwide served almost two million people and provided nearly $270 million in services at virtually no charge. PRCs operate largely through the generosity of volunteers and donors. Their work truly makes a difference in the lives of millions, and now, there will be much more work for PRCs to do. You can locate the PRCs near you here.
4. Support single moms. Even though being a mom is incredibly rewarding, it is also incredibly challenging. Lost fatherhood brings additional hurdles for raising a child, which is why community support for single mothers is all the more important. Support single moms you know in practical ways like making a meal for the family or offering to babysit. Being pro-life means working to create a culture of life! (Editor's note: The ministry Embrace Grace offers churches a way to partner with local pregnancy centers to reach out to expectant single moms.)
5. Befriend a person with disabilities. Invite someone in your community with disabilities to get coffee, play a sport, etc. Babies prenatally diagnosed with genetic abnormalities are aborted at alarming rates. Combat this by creating a culture in which everyone is welcome.
6. Share information about the dangers of chemical abortion and about the option of abortion pill reversal. Chemical abortion (more commonly known as “the abortion pill”) is nearly four times more dangerous than already dangerous surgical abortion procedures. Its known complications include severe bleeding, infection, retained fetal parts, and even death. However, in some cases, if only the first pill in the chemical abortion regimen has been taken, this type of abortion can be reversed. For more information, visit abortionpillreversal.com. Sharing this message could save a life.
7. Talk to a friend about their abortion views. Most of us have a friend who does not share our views on the dignity of the unborn child. It can be challenging to have conversations surrounding abortion, but making this effort can create a ripple effect that stretches far beyond your own influence. This FRC resource provides talking points and stories to help you get the conversation flowing.
8. Share information about Project Rachel. For many women, the pain and guilt after an abortion are incredibly difficult to bear. Project Rachel is a nationwide ministry providing women with the assurance that there can be forgiveness, hope, and healing after abortion. It is open to all women, including women of no faith affiliation. Project Rachel’s website is HopeAfterAbortion.org or EsperanzaPosAborto.org.
9. Let your friends know you are a safe person to talk to. Post a message on social media letting your friends know that you’re a safe, supportive, and loving person to talk to if they find themselves unexpectedly pregnant. This might be all the encouragement someone needs to choose life.
10. Support pro-life legislators. Electing pro-life legislators is critical to ending the scourge of abortion in America. The Supreme Court has returned the ability to protect unborn life to the states, so it is essential that the states are equipped with pro-life legislators to pass pro-life laws. At the same time, Congress can pass legislation at the federal level protecting life. It is vitally important that every legislator — from the school board official to state legislators to members of Congress — be pro-life.
This article first appeared here.
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