Pray For Life

By Joni and Friends|Published On: October 26, 2020|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|

A scene of the ocean with storm clouds hovering overhead, small glimmers of sunshine peering through.

Have you ever prayed an impossible prayer?

Well, hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and you should know that God specializes in answering prayers like that – prayers that seem impossible. In fact, I’m praying such a prayer right now. But before I tell you what that prayer is, let me give you the back story on it. Because never, ever have I witnessed such disregard in our country for the wellbeing of the elderly, newborns with disabilities, the medically fragile, and quadriplegics like me. Just listen to Ben; he’s got spinal muscular atrophy, and he says – and this is a quote – “Our society has developed a knee-jerk negative response when it comes to respecting life. In a country where healthcare is expensive and inaccessible, death is cheaper. My home state does not want to help with my healthcare, but they are happy to offer me assisted suicide.” My goodness, Ben. You know, from rulings on abortion, to healthcare triaging, and as we just heard from Ben, to all the states legalizing euthanasia.

Some time ago, I saw a television newscaster show an advertisement that highlighted a young girl with Down syndrome. The news anchor applauded the advertiser for always being “up with the times;” this company is so inclusive. And then her co-anchor remarked on the beauty and winsome personality of this young actress with Down syndrome, and how she represented the best of a wonderfully diverse society. The next day I ran into a neighbor who said, “Hey, did you see that news clip about that girl with Downs? I mean, wasn’t she an inspiration?” I nodded, but immediately thought of the dark irony; ’cause it was so schizophrenic. Because countless pre-born children with Down syndrome never had – and never will have – the opportunity to be considered winsome or inspirational. In our schizophrenic culture, they are ineligible for inclusion. They don’t qualify to be part of a diverse society. ’Cause if that young actor with Down syndrome could rewind the clock and suddenly find herself back in the womb of a different woman, she would be considered mindless fetal tissue not worthy of dignity or human rights. Tissue to be aborted.

But it’s what happens when God is pushed out of the national conversation. My heart breaks every time judges or lawmakers rule against life. The long-held dike which has protected the weak, it’s crumbling. But God has declared a rallying call in Psalm 82 where he tells us to “Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Yeah, in this country we’re facing a mountain of opposition. But Jesus still tells us to have faith and pray. ’Cause when we do, that mountain will be tossed into the sea, just like it says in Mark 11. Yeah, it’s an uphill battle; it is an impossible prayer, but as we approach election day, join me in following Christ’s call to faithfully pray for life.

And to help you with that, I want you to know that Ken and I are using the One Year Pray for Life Bible. It’s a great resource for all Christians who are lifting impossible prayers up before the Lord. Because with God, all things are possible; yes, even restoring the heart of our nation to safeguard life. So, Ken and I are using the features and the devotionals in the new Pray for Life Bible; it’s really helping us apply God’s unchanging Word as we pray for our rapidly changing society. Join the cause for life. Join us in praying. And visit my radio page today at joniradio.org if you’re interested in using the Pray for Life Bible.