Sanctity of Human Life Sunday
January 20, 2008
Sanctity of Life Sunday is the Sunday closest to the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. President Ronald Reagan first set the day aside in 1984 to give thanks for the gift of life, and to reaffirm our commitment to the dignity of every human being and the sanctity of each human life. The sanctity of human life is first described in the Holy Bible in Genesis 1:27 (NIV): So God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Scholars note that being created in the image of God means more than having certain abilities and attributes. It means that humans are the images of God, regardless of what they can or cannot do. To bear the image of the Creator is a privilege extended uniquely to humans. No other creation of God can make this claim.
In God’s eyes, there are no surprises. We humans, with our limited perspective, are sometimes stunned by the events He allows into our lives. But God always has both a plan and a provision.
When an unplanned pregnancy interrupts the script a young woman (and her family) has sketched out for her life, many conflicting emotions compete simultaneously for center stage: panic, fear, anger, guilt and others. The exciting news, which she needs to hear, is that God's forgiveness will meet her at her point of need, and His sufficiency will abundantly supply. One way He often does that—in fact, the most common way—is through His people.
Abortion Facts
1. A conservative estimate of the number of abortions in the United States from 1973 to 2004 (1996-2004 were estimated) is 45 million.
2. The number of live births per the United States Department of Health and Human Services from 1973 to 2004 (years 2001-2004 were estimated) is 116 million.
3. Using those two numbers, 28% of all pregnancies in the United States excluding natural miscarriages end in abortion. This number is the abortion rate.
4. At current rates, an estimated 43% of American women will have at least one abortion by the age of 45.
5. An abortion during the first three months costs about $300. Abortions during the fourth month cost approximately $400-700; after that, the cost goes up about $100 a week.
6. There are only 1,819 (as of 2000) abortionists who perform an average of 660 abortions per year.
What Can I Do?
1. Form an opinion – Stand up and Speak out.
2. Register to vote and vote pro-life.
3. Discuss abortion with your children.
4. Financially support pro-life organizations. A little each month will make a big difference.
5. Volunteer at a Crisis Pregnancy Center.
6. Join with other pro-life members at your church
7. Pray for our nation.
8. Place a pro-life bumper sticker on your car.
9. As an individual, we can do little. As a group, we can do much.