Reimagining Pro-Life: 30 Days With Save the Storksنموونە

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Can we really offer hope to someone navigating the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy? Can we really make a difference in the lives of the unborn? Can we even make a dent in the abortion crisis? Often, these are the kinds of questions that pop into our minds as soon as Christ begins to soften our hearts toward the suffering of others. Negative statistics quickly overwhelm us, and we feel as if we cannot possibly effect change. 

But, progress is being made! The proportion of teen pregnancies that end in abortion has declined by a third from 1986 to 2008, from 46% to 31%. In 2013, the abortion rate among 15- to 19-year-olds was the lowest rate since abortion was legalized. And based on a recent survey, Roland C. Warren, president and CEO of Care Net, a Christ-centered pregnancy resource network said, “While much work needs to be done to equip the church to help women and men with their pregnancy decisions, there are positive signs that many churches will be receptive to efforts to implement programming that addresses this need.”

Hope is alive. Jesus tells us, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” In Mark 5, we watch Him make a life-changing difference for two different individuals: Jairus and his daughter. Even though a large crowd was pressing in all around Him, He zeroed in on Jairus’ plea on behalf of his daughter. Jesus could have been overwhelmed by the raucous of the masses or the busyness of His wider ministry across Galilee. He chose to focus instead on just two people in need. To them He gave His attention, and even when another need popped up along His path, and the timing seemed off and all seemed lost, Jesus was not too late to do what He wanted to do in Jairus’ family that day.

Every time that we provide hope to a woman who is tempted to believe that abortion is her only option, we are actually administering compassion-for-two, just as Jesus does in today’s verse. We can make a difference in the lives of others, even just one or two people at a time! God may not be calling you or your family to adopt ten children or to build a flourishing pregnancy resource center from the ground up. He has given you the resources to bring His hope and His healing to at least a few scared and confused pregnant mothers, though!

The award-winning song, “When You Believe” (from the 1996 movie The Prince of Egypt) says, “Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill.” As we reimagine the pro-life movement in our generation, we have much to celebrate, much to grieve and much to hope for in the future. Whether in the issue at large or in our own lives, sometimes hope can seem frail. When we miss an opportunity, make a mistake or feel the darkness creeping in as our light flickers, we may wonder where God is. But the answer is always the same. He is near. Even when Jesus was “not near enough” from Jairus’ perspective, and despair overwhelmed him, Jesus came through. Hope in Him and we may sometimes be frail, but a total loss is truly impossible. Our timing may not be His, but in one way or another, He always comes through.

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Instead of getting bogged down by the seeming impossibility of countering the abortion crisis of today, we want you to focus on the words of Jesus in Mark 5: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” With Jairus, let’s be fearless. Let’s believe that Christ is fully capable of doing miraculous things despite grave circumstances. After all, graves have nothing on our God. 

Watch this inspiring video of Hannah, another young mother who made the brave choice to let go of unhealthy patterns, find her identity in God, and walk in unconditional love for herself and her child. 

 

Remember that for every abortion-vulnerable woman in the world who faces anxiety, loneliness, helplessness, or despair — God has a unique story for her as well as for that precious life that she carries. Pray that God would remove your fears in the face of the travesty of abortion, replacing them with lasting hope and belief in Him. Light will rise in the darkness. Hope will come. You are simply called to receive this sometimes frail hope in your own heart and then share it with others. 

Bring light and hope to others today through prayer. Open up the bag that you have been carrying around, and remove a few rocks, stones, or bricks from it. As you do, pray over the specific burdens that you wrote down on them, fully confident that God can and will bring light and hope to abortion-minded women around the world.