Who:
President Ronald Regan on January 22, 1984, issued a presidential proclamation designating the third Sunday of January as National Sanctity of Human Life Day.
Churches, pro-life organizations, and individuals across the country use this day to recognize the value of every human life.
What:
The day celebrates all human life from the moment of conception and is set to coincide with the original Supreme Court Decision of Roe v. Wade passed in 1973.
When:
This year, Sanctity of Life Sunday falls on January 22, 2023: 39 years after the original proclamation. This year’s celebration is quite touching in so many ways. On June 24th, 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court and the decision on when and how abortions can happen was given back to the states to determine. Unfortunately, in California, with the passing of Proposition 1 that decision was broadened to include abortions up to the day of delivery, with no limitations and no questions asked.
Why:
Across the United States, abortion is still taking place with over 2,500 abortions happening daily. As discouraging as that number is, we will still celebrate and honor life, because all life is precious and valuable from conception to natural death and everything in between. We do not stop valuing life simply because Roe v. Wade was overturned. Abortion is still very active, and California is quickly becoming a sanctuary state for this horrific act.
How:
There are many ways to observe, Sanctity of Life Sunday and to continue to speak out against abortion. Many churches hold prayer vigils or invite special speakers in to share their stories on life. Some collect donations of baby items to share with local pregnancy centers. Right to Life of Kern County honors Sanctity of Life Sunday with our memorial cross display, speaking at churches and other events, and providing resources to help promote the day and to keep it at the forefront of people’s minds.
Individuals can also participate and honor this day and bring awareness to the value of life. Talk to your pastor to see what your church is doing to support pro-life issues, not just on Jan. 22, but all year long. There is still so much to be done.
Within your home or circle of influence you can collect items to be donated to one of the pregnancy centers in Kern County or deliver them to the RTLKC office and we can deliver them for you. You can support pro-life organizations financially or as a volunteer.
For those of who you pray, pray! Be in prayer for the women who are faced with an unplanned pregnancy and feel they have no options. Pray for the pro-life organizations and pregnancy centers across this country that we may continue to do the work we are doing without fear of legislation or violence. Pray for the heart of this country and our legislators that they will recognize that life in the womb deserves protection. Pray to end abortion!
By setting aside time, and days, we can keep the issue of abortion on the minds of people. We can reach out to others and present a unified message that abortion always ends in the death of an innocent life.
I challenge you today to use Sanctity of Life Sunday as a catalyst for future actions to help you stand in the gap for the pre-born.
“Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.”
Proverbs 31:8
Your turn:
What will you do?