Sanctity of Human Life
By Chastity Ogburn
Avery County
Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
January is Sanctity of Human Life Month and many churches will observe January 21, 2024, as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. This is a day we set aside every year to focus on the value of every human life since President Ronald Reagan proclaimed it in 1984. This year will commemorate the 40th year our nation has observed the sanctity of human life. This day is an opportunity for churches and pastors to focus on the value of all human life and that life is a sacred precious gift from God. Every unborn child is precious to God and created for a purpose, in the Bible Psalm 139 tells us this so beautifully. I love Psalm 139:16 where David writes that our days ordained for us are written before any of them came to be. God had a purpose and plan for our lives before we were ever born. God thought of you and me before we were ever conceived. How exciting is that!!
This will be our nation’s second year celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Over 63 million lives have been lost to abortion since 1973. It is the leading cause of death. Our society refuses to recognize it. After 50 years since abortion was made legal in the United States, many lives have been saved since the overturn in June of 2022, however, we still need to pray for the ending of abortion. Pray that hearts and lives are changed to choose life. North Carolina continues to make abortion legal and in the first six months of 2023, North Carolina recorded 55 percent more abortions than it did in the same time frame of last year, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Praise God with North Carolina’s 12-week abortion ban that was enforced this past summer abortions dropped by 31 percent this past July according to the Guttmacher Institute. The new pro-life law passed in May and was enacted in July. North Carolina is protecting babies after the 12-week limit. Lives are being saved! We still need to pray for our state to take a stand against abortion protecting babies from the moment of conception.
Chemical abortion is on the rise across our country and continues even in states where abortion is illegal. We need to pray that our nation will see the sacredness and value of all human life from the womb to the tomb. God creates all life. He is the only giver and taker of life. There are many ways for individuals and churches to get involved. Celebrating Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is one way to be a voice for unborn lives. It is a day to bring awareness by sharing the truth about abortion and its devastating effects.
Many lives and families have been affected by abortion. Statistics show that 1 in 4 women by the age of 45 will have had at least one abortion. Many women and men are hurting from a past abortion. Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is a perfect opportunity to extend grace and forgiveness to those who are suffering from the guilt and shame of a past abortion. God forgives those who have had an abortion.
Post Abortive women and men are in our churches and need to hear the message of God’s grace. The enemy uses abortion to keep many bound and Christ came to free the sinner as it is written in the verses of Isaiah 61:1-3. What can you do? Pray for the ending of abortion in our state, and nation. Pray for mothers to choose life for their babies and know that there is hope for both them and their babies. Pray that they will be guided to the help and support that is available to them. Support your local pregnancy centers and ministries. Pro-life ministries are at the frontlines and they need prayers, financial support, donations, and volunteers to help them continue the work that God has called them to do. It is my prayer that we will walk into the new year with a thankful heart for life and take every opportunity to stand, support, and defend all life.
May God bless you and your families in the New Year!
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In 2018, the Lord put on my heart the calling to reach out to those hurting from loss. Anne Ministries began in September of 2018. Anne means “grace” and that is what this ministry is about, extending God’s grace and allowing Him to heal your deepest hurt. This ministry reaches out to those hurting from abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. The ministry expanded in 2021 offering pregnancy support services to those facing an unplanned pregnancy. Chastity and her family attend Emmanuel Baptist Church in Newland, NC. You can purchase her book, His Grace Covers All, on Amazon HERE.
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