Day 3 Jan 23 - National Prayer & Fasting - Is an embryo a person?
- Love Australia
- Jan 15, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 21, 2024
The Bible clearly teaches the personhood of those in the womb through its description of John the Baptist.
When Mary the mother of Jesus became pregnant, she went and visited Elizabeth, her relative: ‘At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"’ (Luke 1:39-45).
John the Baptist’s ministry had already begun – in the womb! John’s job was to point people to Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He said later: ‘You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less’ (John 3:27-30).
John was appointed by God as the friend to the bridegroom, Jesus, and as his friend delighted in his presence. And we see this happen even as a baby in the womb. John leaps in the womb thereby telling Elizabeth that someone very special has just entered the house – albeit inside Mary.
God clearly teaches us that those in the womb are people too.
Joel Radford. Pastor Sydney, Evangelicals for Life
Worship
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we praise you as the God who has all knowledge and wisdom. We thank you for speaking to us about yourself and about ourselves. Forgive us for the times we fail to understand what it means that every human being has personhood from yourself and is worthy of respect and love. Help us by your Spirit to love everyone, including those in the womb, and love them as we would love ourselves. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Prayer Points
· It is crucial for Australians to stand united and shout out for the Babies Born Alive through failed abortion to be given life-saving treatment and care and not left to die. Pray for the Babies Born Alive Bill to debate and the senate to now vote. Senator Matt Canavan, Senator Ralph Babet and Senator Alex Antic have co-signed a bill to give babies born alive from abortion a right to life. No More Delay! Let this become a loud election issue for this government. Hear first hand a midwifes grief and Born Alive after a failed abortion story at the Love Sydney Walk for Life.
. Pray the Love Adelaide - Walk for Life 2024 on Feb 10th 10am-12pm will grow in momentum to double last year - that nothing will hinder the church standing against legalized abortion, to add their strength and support to end the abortion crisis in our nation and beyond. Pray for health for everyone especially the overseas guest speaker, doors of favour to open, more volunteers for the walk and the weather to be favourable.
. We pray for every state and territory of Australia to recognise that every life is a gift from God - for the church to arise in the cause of defending life in the womb from the horror of abortion and come together to stand for life. For greater numbers to be in attendance at the “Walk for Life Adelaide” 10th Feb 2024 and “March for Life” Brisbane - date TBA, Mackay “March for the Babies” October, “March for the Babies” Melbourne, Perth’s rally for Life in May and for all Territories and States to join in and hold a Walk for Life in their city/region.
. Even though every state in Australia has changed Legislation to allow abortion up to birth, we can all work together to change such legislation. It's all about numbers - Pray that we unify and work together to make abortion unthinkable in Australia. Pray for the number of awakened righteous politicians and leaders in every sphere of influence to increase and be empowered and emboldened to change the laws and influence this generation with the truth about abortion.
. Ask for many more churches across the nation to be aware of the women in their midst who are suffering through having had an abortion. To have spiritual discernment to identify women with a crisis pregnancy who need the help, hope and love of Jesus to keep the baby or choose adoption into a loving home. That every church be a trusted place of mercy and compassion to be known and operating as Houses of Refuge for the unborn and families. For Hubs of Love to be established in every city and town in the nation.
‘And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.’ Galatians 6:9 NKJV
May God Bless you as you pray these 21 Days of Compassion and Mercy for the Unborn.
