Prompts to Pray About Abortion

When you live near the Atlantic, you’re aware hurricane season starts on June 1. You know to predict it, and you know how to prepare for it.

Earthquakes are a different beast. As someone who grew up along the Gulf Coast, I’ve wondered over the years what it would be like to live where the primary form of natural disaster doesn’t have a set season. Earthquakes can happen any time of year, day or night—whether you’re ready for them or not.

Last week, a political earthquake hit the United States: Supreme Court documents related to the potential overturn of landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade were leaked. The news came on a regular night during the week. Most of us didn’t see it coming.

On Wednesday morning Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth recorded new episodes of Seeking Him and responded to the news that was shaking the nation:

It appears the Supreme Court may soon rule to overturn the decision that legalized abortion in America. While many have worked and prayed toward that end for decades, a reversal of Roe v. Wade won’t automatically make abortion illegal in our country. In fact, activists will continue working hard to legalize abortion, state by state. 

But here’s what we need to remember: Ultimately, the fight over abortion is a spiritual struggle, more than a legal one. The Bible tells us we wrestle, not “against flesh and blood, but against the . . . spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).

What do you do in an earthquake? Experts say that if you’re in a car, you pull over and stop. If you’re in bed, you turn face down. If you’re standing, you drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy. 

What do you do when facing a political earthquake? You stop what you’re doing, turn face down before the Lord, and hold onto Him. 

As she closed out the episode, Nancy offered a challenge to listeners: 

Let’s cry out to God to move the hearts of men and women to submit to His rule—whether in the Supreme Court, in the media, abortion activists, and, yes, in our own churches and homes. 

Today, if you feel the earth shaking, stop what you’re doing and drop to your knees.
 

God—his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is pure.
He is a shield to all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is a rock? Only our God. 
—Psalm 18:30–31

How to Pray for this Political Earthquake

The latest headlines about Roe v. Wade may have caught you by surprise. Even if you’ve been pro-life for years, you may have slowly stopped believing that you could see abortion eradicated in your lifetime. Let these recent developments serve as a reminder: no problem is too great for God. No situation is hopeless because Christ still reigns and Heaven still rules.
 

As you pray today and in upcoming months for the Supreme Court decision, may God give you an even greater awareness of what He alone is able to do. May the Lord strengthen your faith to believe that He is all-powerful and all-loving, infinite in might and abounding in mercy. In all your thoughts, words, and actions, may you reflect Him well. 

Pray for God to work in your own heart.

• Confess unbelief, indifference, arrogance, callousness, and fear.
• Pray for increased hope that God is able to do what seems impossible.
• Pray for increased belief that no one is ever too far gone for God’s grace.
• Pray for humility, genuine love for others, and grace to invite them in.
• Pray for gentleness, wisdom, and patience. 
• Pray for courage to stand firm against that which grieves God’s heart.

Pray for revival.

• Pray for God’s people to genuinely repent of sin and to live by the lordship of Christ.
• Pray for God to restore those who have fallen away and redeem the lost years.
• Pray for God to reach out His hand and save those who do not know Him.
• Pray for God’s people to be shaped by His Word, not the culture. 
• Pray for a cultural shift that values God as the Creator and life as precious.

Pray for the woman who is considering an abortion. 

• Pray she would have an encounter with the Living God that would interrupt her plans.
• Pray she would know that she is deeply loved by God and that His love doesn’t change.
• Pray she would find the courage to make the challenging decision to choose life regardless of the consequences.
• Pray she would be surrounded by Christian women who will practically love her and her child.

Pray for the woman who has had an abortion.

• Pray she would draw near to Christ and know she is fully loved and fully forgiven by Him.
• Pray for compassionate, godly leaders to walk alongside her as she grieves the past. 
• Pray she will experience a life of true freedom and fullness in Christ.

Pray for those who commit abortions.

• Pray for God to reveal Himself mightily to the doctors, nurses, and other staff. 
• Pray for an immediate turn from evil actions toward obedience to Christ alone. 
• Pray for genuine repentance and restoration, and for a job that leads to flourishing.

Pray for the Supreme Court justices. 

• Pray for humility to seek and receive wisdom.
• Pray for clarity to see this case as God sees it, not as man does.
• Pray they will uphold the gifts of life and freedom.
• Pray for supernatural unity and divine protection in the days leading up to the decision and in the days after it’s announced.

Pray for the leadership of our nation, of every nation. 

• Pray for followers of Christ to respect all political leaders as image bearers. 
• Pray for those in positions of authority to humbly submit themselves to God. 
• Pray for God to direct the hearts of today’s global leaders.
• Pray for God to raise up Moseses and Daniels in our day.

Additional Resources 

These resources from Revive Our Hearts will help you as you work through issues related to this sensitive topic in your own heart and home, and as you seek to engage wisely with others. 

Do you want to learn more about healing after abortion? 

• Listen to Fausto and Laura's story. You’ll hear how the couple chose to terminate a pregnancy and how God captured and changed their hearts.
• If you struggle with the oppression of guilt, watch this story to find out how one woman experienced true freedom. 
• For more practical steps to experience hope and healing, read this blog post.

Do you know what it truly means to be pro-life?

• In this episode of Revive Our Hearts Weekend, you’ll hear why human life is precious and why it’s worth fighting for.
• It’s not enough to just be anti-abortion. This episode of Groundedwill expand your definition of “pro-life” and help you think comprehensively about the topic.
• Whether or not you know it, you have a pro-life story to tell. 

Are you seeking the Lord for national and international revival? 

• True change in our communities happens from the inside out. Use this episode to pray with Christian leaders for true change in our nation. 
• This PDF will guide you to pray for seven major areas related to the upcoming election. 

The ultimate solutions for tumultuous seasons will come when God’s people experience revival. Learn more about what that looks like in this Revive Our Hearts episode.