A Prayer for Mercy (Abortion)

 

 

 

Almighty God, in the beginning of time You created mankind in Your own image and in Your own likeness.  With these words You set forth the great truth of the sanctity of human life.   You taught all mankind that human life is absolutely unique, inviolable, irreplaceable and who cannot commingle with any other created life.   It is of highest value, unmatched by anything on planet earth.   This past week this truth was violated with the pull of a trigger as an anti-abortionist murdered a doctor noted for performing late term abortions.  The ancient practice of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth was used to resolve what was believed by the murderer to be justified because the of  Biblical teaching of the sanctity of human life.  The irony is that in murdering the doctor he was himself guilty of failing to honor the very truth he was seeking to defend.  Certainly, Your Word makes it clear that You do not condone such actions.  It is You who has said, “You shall not murder.”  The taking of life, whether of an unborn child or a 67 year old doctor, is not the way that You would have us resolve this issue of failing to honor the sanctity of life.   As difficult as it is to uphold the truth in a fallen, fractured, sinful world, it behooves all mankind to honor this great Biblical teaching.  How can it be resolved?  How can it be prevented?   The answer has to be in the passionate and humble praying of God’s people.  Thus this week we will give ourselves to just such praying.

 

We ask, O God, that  You would open the hearts and minds of doctors and nurses and any others who may need to make decisions concerning the sanctity of life.  May doctors especially fulfill the Hippocratic oath which they made when given their license to practice medicine.

 

We ask, dear heavenly Father, that You grant Your mercy and grace to those women who carry an unwanted child.  Lead them, by Your Holy Spirit, to seek help and counsel before aborting the child.  Give them the faith to believe that You will provide and care for them as they seek to not only give birth to the baby but also assume responsibility for the baby.

 

We pray for those parents who have been told that their unborn child has many deformities and may, if allowed to be born, be a burden on them and society in general.  Give them a deep faith in Your grace and ability to use such children for Your eternal purposes.

 

We lift into Your presence agencies and organizations that minister to the mothers who have unwanted pregnancies.  This morning we think especially of “His Nesting Place,” a local ministry that is deserving of our prayers and financial support.  Their record of caring, encouraging and helping young mothers has been matched by few.  They have witnessed non-violently but boldly against abortion and have risked their lives in boldly proclaiming their belief in the sanctity of life.

 

Oh God, grant that all, no matter what their position on abortion, have a deep commitment to the sanctity of life.  

 

In Jesus name we pray.    Amen