1. Pray for an end to abortion.
As we celebrate the end of the tragic Roe v Wade decision and mourn the over 60 million lives that have been lost since it was decided, we acknowledge that abortion is far from ended. While a major roadblock to protecting life has been removed, our laws have not changed in Pennsylvania. Over 30,000 abortions happen in Pennsylvania every year. Pray for hearts and minds to change concerning abortion. Pray also that abortion would end not only in America but also in every nation around the world.
Key Passages:
Psalm 139:15-16 – “My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. You saw my unformed substance; in your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me when as yet there was none of them.”
Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Proverbs 6:16-17 – “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him…hands that shed innocent blood.”
2. Pray for the Pennsylvania March for Life.
Pray for every person attending this historic event, that collectively there would be a positive message of pro-life unity behind support for protecting the sanctity of human life. Please pray for the entire team helping to put on this rally and march, including Jeanne Mancini and the national March for Life Education and Defense Fund along with Michael Geer and the staff of the Pennsylvania Family Institute. Please ask God for guidance with each speaker at the rally, that their words would encourage and result in positive action. And we ask for prayer for cohesiveness with all of the day’s logistics and for God’s kindness with the day’s weather.
Key Passages:
1 Corinthians 1:10 – “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
3. Pray for our state government leaders.
Pray that the Pennsylvania March for Life at the State Capitol will have a significant impact on our state elected leaders.
The PA General Assembly consists of 50 State Senate districts and 203 State House districts. Please pray for their collective support for pro-life causes to protect and save the lives of the unborn in our state. Pray for pro-life officials that they would act with courage, wisdom and unity to advance protections for innocent human life. Pray for state officials in leadership positions that they would have sound wisdom and guidance in their influence on pro-life policies and initiatives.
Finally, pray for state officials that have proven hostile to advancing pro-life policies, including Governor Josh Shapiro and Attorney General Austin Davis. Ask God for favor in advancing pro-life efforts despite any opposition.
Key Passages:
1 Corinthians 6:20 – “Ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (This verse appears in the Senate Chamber of the PA State Capitol Building)
John 8:32 – “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (This verse is on the ceiling of the PA House Chamber in the PA State Capitol Building)
4. Pray for our federal and local government leaders.
Pray that our government leaders would make wise decisions about laws and restrictions. Pray that they would lead with integrity as they legislate and work toward creating a more just society. Pray that there would be more pro-life individuals in positions of leadership.
Key Passages:
Proverbs 10:9 – “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.”
Psalm 75:6-7 – “For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.”
5. Pray for mothers.
Pray that women facing unplanned or unwanted pregnancies would learn the truth about abortion and receive the resources and encouragement they need to choose life. Pray that their children’s fathers wouldn’t abandon them. Pray that these women would receive God-honoring counsel and support through pregnancy resource centers, churches, and caring families. Pray that those who have lost children to abortion would experience physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.
Key Passages:
Acts 3:19 – “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
6. Pray for fathers.
Tragically, many fathers facing unplanned or unwanted pregnancies abandon their families or encourage the mother to abort the child. Pray that men would choose life for their unborn children and take responsibility for them. Pray that men would support their children’s mothers. Pray that men would receive good counsel and support and find godly mentors.
Key Passages:
Psalm 127:3-5 – “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.”
Isaiah 40: 31 – “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
7. Pray for parents of daughters in unplanned pregnancy situations.
Responding graciously to an unplanned pregnancy in the family can be challenging, even in loving families where parents want the best for their children. The fear of being judged or ostracized by family members can contribute to a woman’s decision to get an abortion. Pray that parents would navigate these situations wisely and counsel, support, and love their daughters well. Pray that parents would encourage their daughters to choose life. Pray that families facing unplanned pregnancies would be strengthened rather than weakened.
Key Passages:
Galatians 6:1-2 – “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
8. Pray for abortion doctors, nurses, and all those who work at Planned Parenthood and other abortion facilities.
Thousands of people work in the abortion industry. These doctors, nurses, and technicians are not enemies; they are people in need of redemption and prayers. Pray that those working in the abortion industry would have ears to hear the truth about abortion and eyes to see the human dignity of the unborn. Pray for repentance and spiritual healing. Pray that abortion facilities would close and that the lies of the abortion industry would be exposed.
Key Passages:
Acts 26:18 – “‘To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”
Ezekiel 33:11 – “Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn
back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?”
9. Pray for those who counsel individuals considering or affected by abortion.
Pray that counselors would have wisdom, compassion, and empathy when speaking with women considering abortion or recovering from the trauma of having an abortion. Pray that they would have opportunities to share the gospel with their clients and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Pray that their clients would hunger to know God and be receptive to the gospel. Pray for the safety of sidewalk counselors who stand outside abortion clinics to pray and talk with women.
Key Passages:
1 Thessalonians 5:14 – “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”
Colossians 4:5-6 – “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
10. Pray for pro-life organizations and ministries.
Many organizations and ministries are actively working to end abortion and help those affected by it. Some of these groups advance pro-life legislation, others provide services to expectant mothers, and still others work to elect pro-life leaders. There are also student groups seeking to counter the lies peddled by the abortion industry on their campuses. Pray that all of these organizations would have wisdom as they seek to create a culture of life and work toward the day when abortion is morally unthinkable. Pray that their efforts would be successful.
Key Passages:
Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Ephesians 5:11 – “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
11. Pray for our nation.
Many Americans are ignorant of the horrific nature of abortion and the morally harmful effect it has on our nation, while others suppress the truth about abortion. Pray that our nation would come to recognize its complicity in this sin and repent. Pray that God would be great in mercy and forgive us.
Key Passages:
Psalm 34:14 – “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
12. Pray for the church.
Pray that pastors would equip their congregations to think biblically about abortion. Pray that pastors and church leaders would speak intentionally and wisely about the sin of abortion, and the redemption that is possible for those who have had an abortion or have participated in the abortion industry. Pray that churches would consider partnering with crisis pregnancy centers and other pro-life organizations in their communities. Pray that Christians would stand courageously for the unborn.
Key Passages:
Proverbs 31:8-9 – “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
James 4:17 – “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
Thank you to the Family Research Council for permission to use theirPro-Life Engagement Prayer Guide for this purpose.
