“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who change darkness into light, and light into darkness, who change bitter into sweet, and sweet into bitter!” (Is. 5:20).
“Thou shalt not kill” (Ex. 20:13, Dt. 5:17)
Lord, we live in the shadow of death,
And are afflicted by the culture of death.
Nothing in our nation or our world
Takes more human lives than abortion.
This sin, Lord God,
Is bad enough by itself,
As it destroys our youngest brothers and sisters.
Yet to make it worse,
Individuals and nations declare this violence
To be a “right” under the law,
To be “constitutionally protected choice,”
And to be part of “healthcare” and even “justice.”
Moreover, many people will then criticize us,
Who defend the right to life,
And claim we are against women,
Against equality, against the poor,
And complicit in evil.
Lord, Your Word warns us
Not to call evil good or good evil.
Your Word, O Lord,
Is a lamp to our steps,
And a light to our path.
Your Word is the truth that sets us free,
So that none may stumble in the darkness.
We pray today, Lord God,
That You would send the Spirit of Truth
Upon all who are deceived about abortion.
Open their eyes,
Enlighten their minds,
And warm their hearts.
Awaken them, give them repentance,
Turn them around and wake them up.
Lord, stop the words
Of those who spread falsehood
About Your law and about the dignity of life.
Lord, stop the actions
Of those who have made a covenant with death
And who justify the dismemberment of living children.
Save Your people,
Including politicians, professors, and even some clergy,
From the misfortune
Of calling evil good and good evil.
Rather, may we all, with full hearts and minds and voices,
Reject the evil of abortion
And proclaim, celebrate and serve
The gift of life.
We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life