Life and Liberty: NIFLA v. Becerra
Imagine with me for a moment that the State of NC passed a law that required substance abuse rehab centers to post prominent advertisements for the nearest ABC store in the welcome area of their facilities. That would seem rather ludicrous would it not? Compelling an organization who's mission is to help people stop abusing alcohol to display advertising for the government sponsored alcohol sales commission (which generates billions of dollars in state income) could be described as unethical, and certainly contrary to the First Amendment of the US Constitution. One might even wonder if the State's motivation wasn't financial.
This is precisely what is happening in California, only what is at stake are the lives of countless unborn children. On March 20, 2018 the US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in the case NIFLA v. Becerra. I will post some links to more details about this case and its importance below. However, let me give a brief rundown as I understand it.
In California a law was passed in 2015 that requires pro-life pregnancy centers to post signs that say,
"California has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services (including all FDA-approved methods of contraception), prenatal care, and abortion for eligible women..."
Just to be clear, centers who's fundamental mission is to help people choose life are being forced - by the government - to advertise for death. Nevermind the fact that the abortion industry is a billions of dollars industry and every women that chooses life deprives the industry of $500. Nevermind the fact that abortion clinics are not required to post similar notices in their facilities that advertise pro-life centers.
This is about more than pro-life pregnancy centers, though I can think of few more important causes, this is about the freedom of speech and conscience that our Constitution secures. Please take some time to read the information below on this case. There is a 7 minute video in the article on Pregnancy Help News that is well worth your time. Then PRAY! Our government has shown that the issue of life is not on the top of its priority list but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is on God's. While you pray share this information with people you know that will pray as well. That is, as it always has been, our greatest weapon in the battles that we fight. Remember these words from God;
the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. 1 Peter 3:12.
Since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. 1 Corinthians 10:4
Pregnancy Help News Article and Video
"Pro-life Centers Continue to Meet Challenges Despite Opposition"
My prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You are the Creator God, the Author of life, the Defender of the weak, the Father to the fatherless. Your Word says that if we ask it will be given to us, if we seek we will find, and if we knock the door will be opened to us. I come to you now asking on behalf of life-affirming pregnancy centers all across our nation, that you would awaken the powers-that-be in this land to the horror that is abortion. I ask that they would not pass this unjust law restricting the freedom of pro-life centers.
Lord, it is evident by their actions, that our elected leaders are indifferent toward the issue of abortion. The lives of countless thousands and millions of unborn children have been sacrificed on the altar of political expediency even this week. But Lord, I know there are those who do care about the lives of the least of these and we cry out to you to hear our prayers.
Father, we seek your wisdom on how to address this issue in a way that is faithful to you, and will be received by those who are in positions of influence. Give them ears to hear, not our opinion, but your truth.
Father, knock on the doors of the White House. Knock on the doors of Congress. Knock on the doors of the courts in such a way that they cannot deny that it is you. I pray that you would show up, not "with brilliance of speech," or man's wisdom, "not with persuasive words," "but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power." Lord - your power.
Almighty God, the powers-that-be in our nation do not know how small and insignificant they are compared to you. May they feel the awful terror of standing before Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the One who was, and is, and is to come. I pray that our nation, from top to bottom, and bottom to top would feel the weight of 60 million lives ended and that we would cry out for forgiveness and healing. May we never again utter the words, "God bless America" until we repent. Let our mouths dry up and our lips fall silent when we think about commanding your blessing on our unrepentant sin. O God, forgive us.
Lord, I know that you are merciful. I know that your grace is unending. Your power and authority are matchless. Hear our prayer and move.
Amen
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