The public is invited to a Pro-Life Prayer & Praise event to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Roe v Wade being overturned.
Sponsored by Missouri Right to Life – Western Region, the event will be held Saturday, June 24 at 10 am at Waterfall Park Pavilion, 4501 Bass Pro Drive, Independence, Mo. near Bass Pro Shops at 40 Hwy and 470.
“This is an opportunity to thank God for what He has done and pray for what is ahead,” says Linda Verhulst, director of MRL-WR. “We will intercede for all stages of life and remember the lost and those wounded by abortion.
Verhulst says attendees will be encouraged, inspired and challenged to continue their work on behalf of the unborn and the end of abortion.
Speakers will represent and discuss various topics including the Black community, women considering abortion, area pro-life ministries, legislation and courts, the church’s role, and abortion survivors.
The 2022 SCOTUS ruling found Roe unconstitutional and returned the decision of legality to the states. Many states have consequently passed pro-life laws.
In recent years, numerous victories have occurred for the unborn.
- 14 states presently have full abortion bans with 5 more pending.
- 2 states ban abortion after 6 weeks, with 2 more “heartbeat” bans pending.
- Abortion overall (even though it has increased in some states) has decreased by an average of 5,000 per month since Roe.
- With Dobbsand not Roe as our controlling precedent, it sets the stage for more victories in court since proponents will be forced to defend abortion on its own merits (aka none).
- Our culture has become very polarized, which seems like a strange “victory,” but this forces us to take a stand and pushes the issue to the forefront, where the truth (scientific, social, scriptural) and common sense can be heard.
In Missouri, there is still some work to do, she says. “Abortion activists in Missouri are working tirelessly to get abortion ‘rights’ into the state constitution, hoping to get in on the ballot in November 2024.
Since Roe was overturned, Verhulst says pro-life resource centers are being put on the defensive. “It has become an “all hands on deck” mentality to combat misinformation and address the changing culture that extremists and the abortion pill are creating,” she states.
National media outlets, including NPR, CNN, the Washington Post, and others are ramping up attacks on pro-life clinics. There are now so many news reports attacking the work of the pro-life community, supporters say its impossible to respond to each and every one.
That’s where the church can come in. “The church can stand for life, as a body, consistently and unapologetically,” she says. “Churches, unfortunately, need to get their collective heads out of the sand and realize how many women (men, families) in their congregation have experienced abortion or are considering it because mom (even though “pro-life”) is terrified of telling anyone she is pregnant.
But Verhulst also says the church must practice acceptance and grace but, “without compromising truth” so that women, men and families in crisis feel comfortable coming to them for help rather than “feeling judged or marginalized.”
“Practically, the church can be more open to hosting respect life groups within their congregations and provide a post-abortive healing ministry or at least access to one,” she encourages.
She wants pro-life individuals to not think the fight is over, “Stand firm with us,” she exhorts.
There are many ways people can be involved including signing petitions, being informed and engaged, and be aware of candidates that are pro-life.
And above all else, she says, “Pray!”
For more information on the Prayer & Praise event, call 816.353.4113.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
