It is always difficult to write the truth that our nation has sacrificed over 60 million lives via abortion. We have allowed countless people to be deeply harmed emotionally, spiritually, and physically. We have allowed 49 years of judicial abuse and the perversion of our Constitution. Abortion will still be allowed in many states in our nation. These realities temper my joy.
However today, June 24th – the day Roe fell – is without a doubt a day for thanksgiving. Much work is ahead but this is a major victory, which we should mark. Much prayer and sacrifice has been expended to reach this milestone and the efforts of MANY steadfast warriors deserve to be acknowledged. We want to particularly thank each of you who have partnered faithfully with us! Thank you for your tireless efforts!
What is the path forward?
In his majority decision, Justice Alito rightly noted that Roe “sparked a national controversy that has embittered our political culture for half a century.” Sadly, by not upholding the fundamental Constitutional Right to Life and punting the question of abortion back to the individual states, today’s decision prolongs that controversy and the national division it engenders. Justice Alito’s statement that “the Constitution makes no mention of abortion” rings hollow. The 14th amendment states, “nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
The Right to Life has been clearly set forth as a national value since its specific mention in the Declaration of Independence.
For the bloodshed to end and our nation to become whole, we need a national policy that upholds life. The debate will now increasingly turn to what is “personhood”. The battle over “personhood” will be fought in each state and in Congress and yes, it will return to the Supreme Court.
We will need a two-pronged approach – work to uphold the protection of life in pro-life states like Texas and redouble our efforts to impact people in states which support abortion.
Tools available
Beyond our many local and statewide efforts, LifeFirst is already part of the national conversation via our When Does Life Begin social media campaign. We encourage each of you to participate in that effort. Share the website material available at youranswermatters.org. Share the daily content posted on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Please consider a donation toward that effort so that we can reach more people.
Another tool is LifeFirst’s 5 student pro-life contests. The contests equip students and their family members to effectively communicate the truth of life. Each of us probably have friends or family in abortion-friendly states. We can impact those states by influencing those people. Attitudinal change happens one person at a time. Both science and God’s Word make it clear that each unique human life begins at conception. The facts are on our side, but we must know them and share them.
Prayer
Prayer is at the heart of LifeFirst’s approach because it is God who truly changes hearts and minds. Let us make our first response one of humble prayer. Let us thank the Lord that the nightmare of Roe is ended. Let us ask Him for guidance and strength as we move forward.
Please note that we will continue to encourage prayer vigil outside the abortion facilities. Those locations have acted as gateways for out-of-state abortions since the Heartbeat Act went into effect. They will undoubtedly continue that practice and we must work for their permanent closure.
The battle for lives continues and we must not stop until abortion and euthanasia are UNTHINKABLE across our nation and our world!
Blessings to each of you!
Teresa Strack
Executive Director