Around this time in the month of January, churches across America has a special emphasis on the Sanctity of Life. On January 13, 1984 President Ronald Reagan made a proclamation that proclaimed Sunday January 22, 1984 as Sanctity of Life Sunday. From the time of President Reagan’s proclamation Sanctity of Life Sunday has been observed for these 30 plus years.

The Bible clearly teaches that life begins at the very moment of conception (Psalm 139). As a matter of fact, God told men like Jeremiah that He knew them before they were even conceived (Jeremiah 1:5). There is no argument against the fact that God is the giver and sustainer of life.

Unfortunately, there are those in our nation who do not have the same respect for life that God has. Even with the latest technology that clearly shows a human being in the mother’s womb, there are those who believe it is okay to take that life if the mother so chooses. This sad state of affairs goes back to the oldest sin in the book: pride. It is selfish pride that causes people to do horrific things such as taking the life of the unborn. There is no regard for the life of the baby. There is no regard for the giver of life, our Creator God. May God forgive our nation for this horrible sin. May we as Bible-believing Christians commit ourselves to educating our society on the origin of life and the understanding that all lives matter to God, even the life of the unborn. May we work hard to protect those who cannot defend or fight for themselves. May we stand in the gap for truth, justice, and righteousness.

Join me this week in praying for our nation. Pray that legislation will be passed to end this horrific epidemic we call abortion. Pray for those who practice and defend abortion that they may understand the error of their ways and get right with God. Pray that God will give grace to those who have had abortions. Pray that they will understand that they can be free from guilt if they will trust in the One who takes away all sin, Jesus Christ. Life is a precious gift given to us by God. May we cherish life, defend life, and live life to the fullest for the glory of God!

FBC Decherd, Statement on the Sanctity of Human Life

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life.

Reagan’s 1984 Proclamation

Proclamation 5147

National Sancitity of Human Life Day, 1983

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Sunday, January 22, 1984, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon the citizens of this blessed land to gather on that day in homes and places of worship 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.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eighth.