According to the World Health Organisation, there are around 40-50 million abortions worldwide each year. That's 125,000 abortions a day. In England and Wales, there have been eight million abortions since the 1967 Abortion Act was introduced. 

A figure that might be easier to comprehend is that for every three pregnancies in England and Wales, a fourth is aborted.  In Northern Ireland, that figure is one in 25, which we believe proves that our unique law protects the lives of women and unborn children.  But the point is that all around us, although hidden, there are women who have been affected by this issue. 

When a woman feels her only choice is to have an abortion then that means the society in which she is living has failed her. We want women to know they don't have to make that choice.  There must be the freedom to choose other options – that's genuine freedom.  

Today, we're praying for life

God, holy, sovereign, faithful and generous
God of freedom, God of equality, God of justice, God of truth
Architect of this world
Yahweh – the one true God

We worship you as the true and living God
You made us in Your image breathing life into each of us

From beginning to end of life you hold us in your hands
We praise you that we are fearfully and wonderfully made
Intricately woven and knit together

We are sons and daughters of the King
Kingdom carriers and trusted rulers
Announcing hope and love to a hurting world

We boldly declare that both lives matter to you - mother and child
Set your image bearers free from destructive power
Break off fear; smash the chains of despair

We are priests and priestesses called to mediate
To steward heaven to earth
To petition you, Father, on behalf of others

We cry out for each and every life that has been lost
For each mother, who could not see another way
For our culture destroying itself as it cheapens life by the day

We are prophets, proclaiming your mighty acts
Critiquing those who perpetuate injustice
Offering instead creative solutions and hopeful imagination

We stand for the recognition and protection of human life - the born and not yet born
We stand with women and unborn children seeking better support, services and care
We stand against those who seek to diminish the lives of women and their unborn children.

So we confess,
Where the world sees death and destruction as the solution we see hope and life,
Where women feel regret, guilt and isolation we see redemption in the community of your Church
Where we have not always been a voice for the voiceless help us to speak

Now would be a good time for Your kingdom to come crashing into our world
Turning it upside down, or more accurately right side up
Your kingdom come, Your will be done.

In Jesus name.

Amen