A Prayer of Lament for the Sin of Abortion
The following is excerpted from a pastoral prayer led by Mike Klaassen on January 17, 2021.
Father we pray for America. We come to you today grieved by what we see in our country, what is tragically a reality all over the world. A devaluing of life. We affirm with Your Word that all people are created by You. They are endowed by You with dignity and worth. They are created by Your choice, in Your image, for Your glory. That includes babies - those just born and those inside the womb. They are innocent, human beings.
Father forgive this nation for perpetuating injustice through abortion. Forgive us, Your people, for too often being silent in the face of it. We pray this would be a land, where all human beings - those made by you in your image - would be welcomed in life and protected by the law.
You are the true King. You place men and women in high places. Father we pray that You would establish leaders in America that love biblical justice and apply it with courage…a government that would value life in all its stages. We pray that our nation would see the horror of abortion.
We pray for pro-life crisis pregnancy centers in our nation. We pray specifically for our own Care-net Pregnancy Center. Grant them the resources and the volunteers, they need. Give them the stamina and the resolve to persevere in saving the lives of the unborn. Protect them from physical and spiritual harm. Guide families to their doors and use them in great power to provide Your counsel and equip people to make Godly decisions in the midst of their despair.
Father we ask that you strengthen your people to stand in the gap. Rid our land of anti-life actions. Keep us from bowing to the gods of comfort and convenience. Free us from the self-absorption of our culture. Help the people in your church, and the people of this land, to be courageous and resolve to stand beside the powerless, to speak up in the face of injustice. Father pour out your grace and mercy on this nation and Your church.
Amen.