LIFE
God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Giver of life.
And yet the issues around life are increasingly divisive in our culture and world. How should Christians consider these realities? As in all things, we should go to God’s Word to be the final authority on matters of life, faith, and practice.
During June, we will highlight the work of several of our pro-life missions partners - those who are on the front lines of caring for some of the most vulnerable in our communities. We also want to invite you to step into this work by living on mission in the following ways…
live on missionLove Life Adoption Week begins Sunday, June 7th. The goal of Adoption Week includes four things:
Hear. Educate and build awareness around the issue of abortion and how to respond as believers.
Prayer. And fasting as we invite God to move.
Go. A prayer walk and worship service at the Charlotte abortion center.
Connect. Supporting those who are considering abortion or who have had an abortion.
Live On Mission
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DIAPER & WIPE COLLECTION
June 7 - 28
Help us stock the shelves of one of our mission partners, Life Choices Rowan. Diapers of all sizes are needed; however larger sizes are preferred. Bring diapers and wipes to the Lobby Missions Bin beginning Sunday, June 7th.
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A DAY OF PRAYER & FASTING
June 10
All are invited to join us for a day of prayer and fasting. Prayer prompts will be available on our website, and through social media.
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LOVE LIFE PRAYER WALK
June 13 | 8:45 AM
Join us in Charlotte for a prayer walk and a worship service as the culmination of Love Life Adoption Week.
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LIFE CHOICES DIAPER DRIVE
June 29 | 4:15 PM
Come serve alongside Life Choices Rowan for their monthly diaper drive-thrue event. We long to meet, engage, and pray with local families in need. Hosted at Life Church.
About Love Life
Love Life is uniting and mobilizing the Church to create a culture of love and life that will bring an end to abortion and the orphan crisis. Learn more about their work from the videos below:
Pray with us, Wednesday, June 10th.
All are invited to join us for a day of prayer and fasting. Pray as you are led, but here are a few prompts, suggestions, and written prayers we would offer.
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Prompts:
For mothers, fathers, and children
Prayers:
Almighty God, Heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom so to train them, that they may love all that is true, and pure, and lovely, and of good report, following the example of their Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. [For The Care of Children]
Eternal Father, bless the mothers who choose to bring their children into the world, even when they themselves are in hard times. Thank You that they recognize their child is created in Your image (Gen. I:27), And that You have a plan for their lives (Jer. 1:5). Bring these families peace when they face hardships of any kind. Remind them to find encouragement in You, As you have already overcome the world John 16:33).
We pray that they feel secure in Your promise. Holy Spirit of God, protect these children. Leave them not needing for anything as You promised in Matthew 6. Clothe them, feed them, and bless them. We pray that these children grow up to love You. Guide their paths so that they follow Your will. Help them to achieve great things in Your name for the glory of God. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen. [For Children Born Into Tough Situations]
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Prompts:
For all people involved with abortion
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, we pray for the pregnancy resource centers (PRC) all across America and the world. May you guide those who are seeking an abortion facility to find a PRC, And allow their hearts to be receptive so they may hear the truth about life in the womb. We pray that all who enter the doors of PRCs choose life. Give those who work in these centers wisdom and grace, so that they can treat the women who visit in a way that honors You and shows Your love.
During such wicked and violent times, we also pray for the protection of all sidewalk counselors, staff, and volunteers. Use Your mighty hand to protect the facilities themselves. Put a stop to anyone who may want to harm the PRCs, and bless them with financial protection, so that they will never need to close their doors.
May Your name be glorified with everything that the pregnancy resource centers and other pro-life organizations do because it is Your love that empowers them. May the way they bless their communities bless You, the Lamb of God. [For pregnancy resource centers]
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Prompts:
For our national and local government
Prayer:
Almighty God, your truth endures from age to age: Direct in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may speak your truth to make the heart of this people wise, its mind discerning, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [For those who inform public opinion] -
Prompts:
For those struggling with an unexpected pregnancy, or those who have had an abortion
Prayer:
Lord of Peace, thank You for loving me. Thank You for looking past my sin and seeing the clean heart You gave me. I know that nothing can separate me from Your love (Romans 8:35-39). Thank You for Your forgiveness, which is more generous than any human being can offer. I know You have removed all of my offenses (Psalm 103:12). Thank You for helping me to know I am not my abortion. I find my identity in You. I am Your daughter, loved and redeemed whom Your Son died and resurrected for (I John 2:2). Save me, please, from the voice of guilt and shame. Instead, lift me up in Your name. Give me peace and grace which can only be found in You, Lord. Amen. [For healing from past abortions]
Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. [For mercy]
Almighty God, whose Son took upon himself the afflictions of your people: Regard with your tender compassion those suffering from anxiety, depression, or mental illness; bear their sorrows and their cares; supply all their needs; help them to put their whole trust and confidence in you; and restore them to strength of mind and cheerfulness of spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [For those afflicted with mental suffering]
Life Church is a House of Refuge.
We commit to love, pray for, and care for anyone experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, for anyone contemplating abortion, and for anyone dealing with the awful repercussions of abortion in the past.
Here’s what we believe:
Every child, no matter how they are conceived, is a bearer of God’s image, knit together in the womb by Him. Consequently, being pregnant is not a sin, and bearing a child is never a punishment. Regardless of circumstances, you and your child are loved. We are here to support you. While we will never encourage or support the decision to have an abortion, it is important for you to know how our church will respond to those facing an unplanned pregnancy.
Here’s what we won’t do:
Our church family will not gossip about you, shame you, or abandon you. We will not allow the family of God to harm others with words or actions contrary to the love of God as revealed in His Word.
Here’s what we will do:
We will walk with you every step of the way, helping you carry and care for your child both before and after birth. We are ready to mentor you, throw you a baby shower, and connect you with resources inside and outside of our church. We will encourage men to become loving fathers who protect women and children. Should you choose to place your child for adoption, we will be here to encourage and support you as you make that hard and loving decision. Should you involve yourself in foster care or adoption, we will walk with you and provide resources and community to help you care for children in need of a family. Finally, if you had an abortion or have been involved in an abortion, we want you to know that abortion is not an unforgivable sin. Romans tells us, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1). For his people, Jesus bore the full penalty of every sin on the cross—including the sin of abortion.
RESOURCES
From praying on the front lines to giving financially or serving through foster care and adoption, every Christian is commissioned by God to care for the orphan in the womb and outside the womb. Like Nehemiah rebuilding the wall, we each have a role to play in restoring what is broken.
Love Life Orphan Care, a ministry of Love Life, is comprised of Christians dedicated to personally resolving the local orphan crisis in every city by placing every foster child in a Godly home.
Helping men, women and churches connect with restorative, post-abortive ministries, including group and private counseling, in personal and online one-to-one and group studies, and weekend retreats.
A long-time missions partner of Life Church, Life Choices Rowan supports and equips women and families, often in moments of crisis - such as unexpected pregnancy, through caring, Christ-centered relationships.
Nazareth serves some of the most vulnerable in our community through: Family Foster Care, Adoptions, Transitional Living Services for Young Adults, Level II Therapeutic Residential, Short-term Care, Individual and Group Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatric Services, and Outpatient Substance Abuse Therapy.
If there are specific ways we can serve you, pray with and for you, please email us. If you have questions about resources for you personally, or would like to know how you can serve others, we would be happy to connect with you.