LCMS Life Ministry

“The church must not avoid talking about these uncomfortable topics. Too much is at stake. We need to understand what Scripture teaches on human nature, male and female, created in the image and likeness of God, fallen and redeemed. We need to understand the radical effects of the fall into sin and the even more radical benefits of Christ. Transgender issues have grown dramatically in the public’s awareness in the past 10 years, so the church must understand its calling to correct, teach, restore and heal in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Visit lcmslife.org for LCMS Life Ministry resources.

Champion of the meek, open our eyes and soften our hearts, that we may see the beauty in all humans - not because of the symmetry of their face or the number of their limbs, but because they are also ones for whom Christ died. Open our mouths so that we may not speak hastily, but always act in love toward our neighbor; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

“I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” Genesis 9:13–16

Merciful Father, we confess that the wages of sin is death and that all die because all sin. Yet, we give You thanks that though in Adam all die, in Christ all shall be made alive. Your Son has shed His blood for all people and by His cross has reconciled the world to You, that trespasses should no longer be counted against anyone. Give us confidence in this salvation, fully accomplished in Your Son, and enable us by it to look with love toward every human life as one for whom Christ shed His saving blood; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation.
“And she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.’” (Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭42‬–‭45‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬

A terminal diagnosis does not give permission for an abortion. God is the Lord and Giver of life, and He alone numbers our days (Job 14:5). Ending the life of a terminally ill or critically ill child, whether born or unborn, is against God’s will. The value of the child’s life is not determined by a diagnosis (or multiple diagnoses) but rather by the Creator and Redeemer who gave His life for him or her. Abortion even in the case of terminal diagnoses does not minimize the grief of a diagnosis but only exacerbates it.

Finding a Christian counselor to work with can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Listen to this episode (https://thelc.ms/3ON9NvS) of Friends for Life to hear more tips.