Post-Roe: What Does This Mean for the Pro-Life Movement?

Back in June, The Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade, a case that egregiously ruled that access to abortion was a fundamental right in 1972, which prohibited all individual states from outlawing abortion. While the overturning of this case was a joyous celebration for the Kingdom of God, for the sanctity of life inside the womb has been recognized by our nation’s government for the first time in 50 years, the work of the pro-life movement will continue to be just as vitally important for the lives of women and unborn children as it was during the days of Roe.

While the work of the pro-life movement will likely change in the practical sense, the heart of the movement will remain the same. The mission of the pro-life movement was never to make abortion illegal, but to make abortion unthinkable; and to cast out the fear of pregnant women in crisis with perfect love. (1 John 4:18).

One of the important things to understand about this ruling is that abortions will sadly, not end. The SCOTUS decision did not outlaw abortions on a national level, it merely returned the power to the individual states to enact their own abortion laws. While this will ensure legal protections for the unborn in many states, the unborn will not be protected in every state. Additionally, desperate women who cannot access abortion in their home state can be vulnerable to undergo illegal abortions.

The reality is that as long we live in a world that is permeated with sin, Satan will continue to be at work to steal, kill, and destroy. This isn’t the time to lay down our spiritual armor, but to continue to fight the good fight of faith. (Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Timothy 6:12).

The Role of Pregnancy Resource Centers

Since the ruling was announced, we have seen news coverage from various outlets that pregnancy resource centers have been under attack by the pro-choice crowd. Pregnancy resource centers play a bigger role than ever in providing a safe haven for women in crisis where they can receive unconditional love and support without shame, fear, or condemnation. Pregnancy resource centers love on women in crisis in a practical way through providing them with ultrasounds, parenting classes, clothing, diapers, formula, etc. for their babies. They also offer counseling services where women can confide about their fears and concerns and consider their options. When women know that they are loved and supported, they will hopefully be empowered to make life-affirming choices for their baby.

The Role of Evangelism

The Gospel message is and will always be relevant. Women need to be communicated the truth- God’s truth- in love. Many women who are tempted to undergo an abortion need to know the God that loves both her and her baby. She needs to know the value of both her and her baby because Jesus purchased both of them with His blood that was shed on the cross. She needs to know that her baby is being knit in her womb by the Creator of the universe and that He has a specific plan for her and her baby. (Psalm 139:13; Jeremiah 29:11). She needs to know that the baby that she is carrying is not a burden, but a gracious blessing from our Lord and is made in His image. (Psalm 127: 3). She needs to know that there is an unseen enemy that is after her life and the life of her baby. She needs to know that the enemy is filling her mind with lies that her and her baby would be better off if her baby was dead. She needs to know that the enemy is working overtime to convince her that God is not big enough to provide for her and her baby and to see them through with whatever they are faced with. She needs to know about her Savior that has the power to give beauty for ashes, make her a new creation from the inside out, and to give her and her baby a new future. (Isaiah 61:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17). She needs to know that no matter the circumstances in which her child was conceived, that she has access to the power that will enable her to walk in victory.

The Role of Prayer

Prayer is a privilege and a tool given to us as children of God to partner with our Heavenly Father. Prayer is work. Prayer has power. Prayer is effective. Prayer changes things- including the hearts and minds of women. (James 5:16). We should always be in prayer that God would move in these women’s lives and to soften their hearts toward Him. We should pray that these women would be sensitive to the Spirit of the Lord, to be sensitive to the things that anger Him (i.e. murder) and to see the beauty of the human life that is growing inside her. We also need to pray that God would have His hand over every single child that is brought into this world and that His divine plan and purpose for their lives will prevail. (Isaiah 54:17).

The Role of Foster Care and Adoption

Since the lives of many unborn children will be spared, it is undoubtable that God is going to convict and lead many of His people to rise to the call of adoption and/or foster care. Those involved in the pro-life movement, this is an important time to pray and to seek wisdom and direction from God if He has put the call on your heart to adopt or to become foster parents. And those that might not be called to this, it does not mean that you cannot partner with pro-life adoption agencies to connect good, God-fearing families with a child that needs a home. Additionally, while the current foster care system is broken and overcrowded, it is important to remember that now is not the time to succumb to the enemy’s lies that unborn children will be better off dismembered in the womb than being born in this broken system. Now is the time to stand in faith that God will move and have His hands over those children that are brought up in this system. As I mentioned before, God has a plan and a purpose for every single child on this earth. Each of them are precious in His sight and not one of them go unnoticed by Him.

The work of the pro-life movement is far from over and will likely not end until the day of Christ of Jesus. ALL Christ followers should be dedicated to preserving ALL forms of human life in ALL stages of life- from the womb to the tomb. Every life on earth is precious and is made in the image of God, which includes life inside the womb. Followers of Christ must set their minds on the things above and not be deceived by the enemy; I say this because there are far too many Christians who wink at abortion, and worse, actually believe that some babies are better off aborted than born. We must also remember that this is not a political or social battle, but a spiritual battle. The enemy is not the vulnerable women who are seeking an abortion, nor is it the pro-choice crowd. Our battle is against the enemy in unseen realms. That is our fight of the pro-life movement. (Ephesians 6:12-13).