According to Lifenews.com, more than 100,000 unborn babies in the United States may be spared from abortion this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Because abortion is an elective medical procedure (though some in the US still debate this), abortion facilities have closed their doors worldwide.
In Poland, legislators are debating a bill that would prohibit abortions due to fetal disability or abnormality.
In England, initial reports said that telemedicine and abortion pills by mail would be the alternatives for abortions performed in a clinical setting. But the nation's Department of Health reversed its decision almost immediately, putting abortions on hold.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion research organization, the largest abortion provider in India initially had to close all of its clinics. In 2015, an estimated 15.6 million abortions were performed in the country. If this number is spread out over 12 months, this could mean somewhere in the range of one million children will be spared from abortion in India.
From Texas to Nepal, a “silver lining” to the COVID-19 crisis may be that millions of babies have been spared from abortion worldwide. But, we can’t just assess the data and declare victory.
What limited access to abortion services also means is that there will be more unplanned births. More pregnant mothers may be worried about how they’ll afford or care for a child. More expecting fathers may be battling reluctance to take on the responsibilities of being a dad. With unplanned pregnancies come fears, anxieties, stress, and isolation.
All things that abortion thrives on. It is clear that the work of our affiliated pregnancy centers and our church partners may be more important than ever to empower these parents and their children to experience abundant life.
What can you do? First, pray. Pray for God’s protection over these babies who have been spared and for their mothers and fathers. Pray that God will comfort the hearts of the mothers who may already be facing fear, loss, and financial stress. Pray that He would encourage the hearts of the fathers, and turn their hearts to their unborn children
Also, pray for the pregnancy centers here in the United States and around the globe. Pray that God would send them the support they need to serve these, potentially millions, of unplanned pregnancies.
Finally, consider supporting Care Net. Your gifts are vital to equipping our centers to care for the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of couples facing crisis pregnancies. Use the link below to give so we can help turn this COVID crisis into a turning point for the babies at risk of abortion.
