Days before leaving office, President Donald Trump issued a presidential proclamation recognizing today as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. This directive began by declaring: “Every human life is a gift to the world. Whether born or unborn, young or old, healthy or sick, every person is made in the holy image of God. The Almighty Creator gives unique talents, beautiful dreams, and a great purpose to every person.”

This year marks the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court landmark 1973 ruling Roe v. Wade which made abortion a national right. Due to rising political tensions and Covid-19 concerns, the annual March for Life held in Washington D.C. has moved to a virtual event on January 29. We encourage everyone to take time over the next week to intercede for our country and to pray for the protection of the unborn.

NBC News is reporting that newly sworn-in President Joe Biden plans to do a sweeping rollback of the Trump-era abortion policies. “We have a ton of work to do to undo the harm over the last four years, but knowing we have champions there who understand what needs to happen in the first 100 days is tremendously exciting,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood.

Biden has indicated he will rescind the Mexico City Policy which bars foreign organizations that receive U.S. family planning assistance from providing information, referrals, or services for abortions. He also plans to restore Title X money to clinics such as Planned Parenthood that provide abortions or refer people to abortion providers.

Also in discussion is the revival of the contraceptive coverage mandate which forced employers to cover birth control and emergency contraceptives -- abortifacients that kill a newly formed embryo. The Hyde Amendment will be revisited as well. This amendment bars federal taxpayer dollars from being used for abortions, except in the case of incest, rape, or medical necessity.

In 2020 during Covid-19 lockdowns, we saw a debate rage whether state governments could classify abortion procedures as elective or essential. Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia deemed abortion an essential medical procedure and made exceptions for abortion facilities to continue. Eleven other states instituted restrictions, calling abortion elective. Judges ultimately blocked those orders, resulting in most states lifting restrictions.

 However, Operation Rescue, a pro-life group, proclaims Missouri as the first “abortion-free state” in the U.S. Their report, The Status of American Abortion Facilities in 2020, out last week confirms, “a total of 45 abortion facilities closed or halted abortions nationwide in 2020, leaving one state without an active abortion facility.”

“Reproductive Health Services Planned Parenthood in St. Louis was the last abortion facility in Missouri. It remains open, but Operation Rescue has confirmed that no abortion appointments have been available there for months, and none are available anytime in the foreseeable future.”

What can we do today? We do not know the challenges we will face in the coming year, but we can support mothers and fathers. We can speak for the unborn through our votes, in our churches, in our communities and with our families.

 PRAY: Pray for God to bend the hearts of judges and elected officials to protect the unborn. Pray for other states to follow Missouri’s lead. Pray and work for ways in your community to create a culture of life!