A Song of Ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

(Psalms 126:1-6)

Today, the Supreme Court overturned the historic Roe v Wade decision with its ruling in the Dobbs case. For decades, faithful men, women and children of the Lord have prayed, marched, volunteered, fostered, adopted and prayed some more for this day… so what now?

1. THIS SUNDAY at OPBC will be a day of PRAISE and PETITION – a day for us to rejoice in the Lord and to pray for the long, state-by-state battle to come. Join us at 8:30AM and 10:15AM as we step out of Numbers for a week to rejoice in the Lord and to seek His face.
2. WE NEED TO CELEBRATE – “The Dobbs decision marks the dawning of a new pro-life movement, and we ought to rightly celebrate it for what it is: the opportunity for thousands of preborn babies to have the most fundamental human right—the right to live. We should pause and praise God for his sovereignty and mercy in this decision. Then, we should redouble our efforts to care for preborn babies, their families, and vulnerable children, all while offering the love and hope of the gospel. May we be on the frontlines of proclaiming that all people are created in the image of God and are inherently worthy of care. And may we display with our lives that all people are precious in God’s sight.” – Why We Should Celebrate the Dobbs Decision – Chelsea Patterson Sobolik
3. WE NEED TO REMEMBER THE LORD – here is a great article to remind us to REMEMBER WHO OVERTURNED ROE
4. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS HAPPENED – Here is another article to give a good overview – The FAQs: Supreme Court Overturns Roe, Sends Abortion Back to States
5. WE NEED TO PREPARE FOR BACKLASH – and we need to respond with grace, with love, and with mercy… along with the truth of God’s Word. The fact is that no political or legal victory will secure ANYONE’S position of righteousness before the Lord – only the Gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to save lives for eternity. May sure to be KNOWLEDGEABLE, NOT REACTIONARY and SALT AND LIGHT, not FIERY AND DARK.
6. WE NEED TO PREPARE TO SERVE WOMEN AND CHILDREN – today does not change the fact that also today, women will discover an unplanned pregnancy. Many will be scared, some in danger, some with no resources or support system… How will we respond? Will be be truly PRO-LIFE or just ANTI-ABORTION? Prepare your hearts to SERVE and to SACRIFICE.
7. WE NEED TO LEARN AND TO PREPARE TO CONTINUE TO STAND FOR LIFE – Here are some great resources from the Family Foundation here in Virginia – with tips for having conversations in light of the decision, facts about VA laws and more.
8. WE NEED TO KEEP PRAYING – Here is a great prayer guide for all areas of standing for LIFE.

Join us Sunday as we PRAISE, PRAY and PREPARE!