As we once again observe Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (January 18, 2026), followers of Christ are called to respond thoughtfully and faithfully—bringing both salt and light to a situation marked by profound moral urgency. (Click HERE for a bulletin insert.) Below are several intentional steps we can take together.

Be intentional in prayer. If we truly believe that the fervent prayer of the righteous “avails much” (James 5:16); that God hates the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17); that we are commanded to “deliver those who are stumbling toward death” (Proverbs 24:11); and that the second great commandment calls us to love our neighbor—born and preborn alike (Matthew 22:36–40)—then prayer must be central to our response. We should be lifting up earnest, persistent prayers throughout each day.

Specifically, we should pray for mothers facing unplanned pregnancies or experiencing pressure, fear, abuse, or coercion to end the lives of their preborn children. We should pray for abortion workers—that their hearts would be convicted and that they would leave work that facilitates the destruction of preborn life. And we should pray for our communities, neighbors, and elected officials who have been blinded to the tragic reality that abortion always ends a human life.

When we trust that God’s ears are attentive to our cries and that He answers prayers offered according to His perfect will (1 John 5:14; Psalm 34:15; Psalm 5:3), we can wait with confidence and hope—expecting His hand to move in His perfect time.

• Pray that human life would be cherished at every stage of life, regardless of circumstances.

• Pray for the end of abortion in all states.

• Pray for the pregnancy resource centers that are helping women facing an unplanned pregnancy.

• Pray for political and church leaders, and that they would be willing to stand up for life.

• Pray that God will open the eyes of policymakers and candidates running for office to the sanctity of life. Pray that they will become defenders of innocent human life and not enablers of sexual immorality and death.

• Pray for a softening of hearts and minds. May God give us opportunities to minister to those who are hurting and may our conversations be filled with His grace and love.

Be intentional to educate yourself. Being pro-life involves more than opposing abortion alone. Practices such as contraception, sterilization, and IVF—and, at the other end of life, the so-called “right to die” movement—also shape a broader culture that diminishes the value of human life. Taking time to read, listen to, and learn from thoughtful experts equips us to defend the pro-life position with clarity, compassion, and reason.

At the same time, we should be mindful of how contemporary attitudes toward children can quietly undermine a culture of life. Casual remarks that portray children as burdens or inconveniences—to our sleep, work, schedules, or finances—can subtly erode a biblical worldview. Scripture reminds us to see children through God’s eyes:

“Children are a heritage from the Lord… a reward.”
(Psalm 127:3–5)

For those seeking helpful resources, Pro-Life Kids by Bethany Bomberger offers a winsome and practical way to instill a respect for every human life in the next generation. Additionally, Ryan Anderson’s book Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing thoughtfully examines the far-reaching cultural and social consequences abortion has had on our nation.

Be intentional and proactive in your church. Engage your pastor and church leaders in thoughtful conversations about supporting a local pregnancy resource center, recognizing and celebrating Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, and teaching the biblical importance of supporting candidates who are committed to protecting human life through public policy. There are many helpful tools available to assist churches in these efforts, including resources found at sanctitysunday.com.

Encourage your church to offer opportunities throughout the year to educate and equip believers on life issues. These might include documentary film screenings, guest speakers, pro-life apologetics presentations, and Bible studies that explore God’s heart for every human life—from conception to natural death.

Finally, encourage your church to cultivate a ministry of compassion for post-abortive women. Like all of us, they need to know that Christ has paid for every sin on the cross and that His love, mercy, and forgiveness are fully sufficient. The local church should be a place where grace abounds and where healing, restoration, and hope can truly begin.

Be intentional to be an advocate. Whether with a large group or simply around your family table, take time to start meaningful conversations about life and its God-given value. If you’re looking for help addressing difficult topics such as abortion, consider the pro-life apologetics ministry Life Training Institute, which has been equipping Christians to defend their preborn neighbors with clarity and compassion since 2004.

Support the life-affirming work in your own community by promoting, volunteering with, donating to, and fundraising for your local pregnancy resource center or pro-life organization. Consider attending a Hike for Life, banquet, or similar event to stand publicly with those who serve women, children, and families in need.

Speak up when pro-abortion legislation is advancing. Many people are unaware of what is being debated in Springfield or Washington, D.C., making it all the more important to stay informed. Signing up for action alerts from Illinois Family Institute and other trusted pro-life groups can help you know when and how to engage—especially as ongoing efforts to protect the Hyde Amendment continue to require our voices.

Finally, take time to visit or contact your elected officials. Thank them for their service, ask how you can pray for them, and share why the protection of preborn life matters deeply—to you and to the moral health of our culture. Encourage them to lead with courage and to become faithful champions for life.

Be intentional to celebrate life. It is tragic to realize that we are immersed in a culture that does not value life. Many babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome in the womb are aborted. Other potential disabilities and/or genetic conditions are targeted as well. Women use abortion as a means of birth control. Senior citizens who need assisted living or who live in nursing homes are frequently mistreated, ignored, or forgotten.

Celebrating the people you know who have challenging conditions can set an example to others not only how to treat “the least of these” with respect and dignity, but to think about them as equally worthy of life as those of us blessed with good health.

Be intentional to promote and support pro-life candidates. In every election cycle we have opportunities to promote pro-life candidates running for local, state, or federal office. You should pick a candidate or two to support in word, with your time, and, if possible, with your finances. They are the ones voting to pass laws that either expand or limit ending precious pre-born human life.

You should make your pro-life views known to your community during election time.

“It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.” ~ George Washington

Additionally, you can support pro-life candidates by putting up yard signs, making phone calls, distributing literature, going door-to-door with the candidate, hosting a meet-and-greet in your home, using social media, attending rallies, and marching in parades.

Go one step further and identify your local pro-life elected officials and write them a letter of encouragement and thanks.

Conclusion

Scripture is clear, God is infuriated with the shedding of innocent blood (Psalm 106:38; Proverbs 6:16-17) and the apathy of so many Christians who remain on the sidelines in the face of evil (Ezekiel 12:2; James 1:22-25). Make no mistake, He sees what is going on in Illinois and in the rest of the world. But God gives us insight into why it appears He may have overlooked this grave evil.

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ~2 Peter 3:9

God wants us to repent, and He is sovereign. He wants to work through us to change everything–even the hearts of those who work inside these clinics. Let’s not forget that God specializes in cases that look surmountable. (Jeremiah 32:37; Luke 1:37; Ephesians 3:20; Luke 18:27)

God wants us to repent, and He is sovereign. He wants to work through us to change everything–even the hearts of those who work inside these clinics. Let’s not forget that God specializes in hard cases. (Jeremiah 32:37; Luke 1:37; Ephesians 3:20; Luke 18:27)

We are to pray for one another too (Ephesians 6:18; James 5:16), because we tend to grow weary and discouraged. Therefore, we should be praying for the strength and resolve of those who are on the frontlines of this battle as we also pray that God would remove all fear and timidity from Christians who have not yet engaged in the battle for truth, righteousness, and the sanctity of human life.