Rev. Doug Clay, the general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, is calling the church to pray about the abortion epidemic that seems to be sweeping the country. This is especially important in light of states such as New York recently passing laws that allow abortion up to birth.
Rev. Clay visited my office last week, and we talked about the horrific Reproductive Health Act that New York passed on Jan. 22, the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
Charisma News has reported statements on the atrocious law from various Christian leaders such as Jack Graham, Dr. James Dobson, Samuel Rodriguez, Michael Brown and Jentezen Franklin.
But instead of issuing one more statement, Rev. Clay, the spiritual head of the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination, decided to share 10 ways to pray. His list is so good I asked for permission to reprint it here. If you agree with Rev. Clay’s ideas, post this article on social media. Let’s try to get this to go viral to prompt others to pray. And don’t forget to pray yourself!
The following is Rev. Clay’s list of 10 ways to pray:
Like so many, I am deeply concerned by passage of the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) by the State of New York—especially on the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
The Assemblies of God values life from conception to death. We believe humans are the highest form of God’s creative activity and the focus of His love. We view the destruction of a human life created in the image of God, even in the womb, as an act of evil. Especially heinous in the RHA are provisions that extend the scope of abortion to later terms and the removal of the requirement for a physician to be present.
As a parent and grandparent, I’m grieved for the precious, innocent unborn lives that will be lost as a result of this legislation. As a Christian, my spirit is grieved to see the moral degradation this represents in our society.
Will you join me in prayer during this vital juncture in our nation’s history?
—Pray for a spiritual awakening in our nation.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14, NIV).
—Pray for expectant mothers who may be facing horrific circumstances. Pray that God will bring peace to the anxieties and fears they may be facing. Pray that the church will rise up to address the needs young mothers are facing.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3).
—Pray that America will repent of injustice on behalf of the most vulnerable among us.
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24).
—Pray that abortionists will come to know Christ as Savior.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
—Pray that abortion facilities will close.
“He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success” (Job 5:12).
—Pray that the hearts of lawmakers and judges will be awakened to the value of human life from conception to death.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezek. 36:26).
—Pray that Christians can be an example of love and peace.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).
—Pray for churches to continue providing life-sustaining alternatives, including foster or adoptive care.
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27, NLT).
—Pray for those considering abortions to have divine encounters that will give them hope for their future.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).
—Pray for women who have been the victims of abortionists, that they will experience spiritual, emotional and physical healing.
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love” (Ps. 145:8).
As general superintendent, I’m asking you to join me in prayer during this critical hour. The strength of our demonstrations and protests may be ignored, but “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b).