How Long, O Lord? A Prayer for January 22nd

Today, January 22, 2020, is the 47th Anniversary of the Supreme Court decisions Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. These decisions blocked states from enforcing certain restrictions and prohibitions on elective abortions. As a result, millions of lives have been prematurely ended.

Many who care for these innocent human lives experience both outrage and overwhelming loss for words. As I deal with my own sorrow and sense of injustice, I turn to the Psalms for words to help shape my prayers and disposition on this dark anniversary (the following arises from prayers from multiple Psalms, primarily Psalm 10).

Lord, we see the injustice of elective abortion and we cry out to you. 

Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? 

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

How long, O Lord? 

Is forty-seven years long enough? 

In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; 

let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. 

He sits in ambush in the villages; 

in hiding places he murders the innocent. 

The abortion industry targets communities, 

specific women and children fall prey to this business model. 

The eyes of the wicked stealthily watch for the helpless; 

he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; 

he lurks that he may seize the poor; 

he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. 

The most helpless and disenfranchised among us are crushed; 

Our most voiceless neighbors sink down, and fall by his might.

Lord, you knit children together in the womb; 

though the violence of abortion crushes and rips them apart.

Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; 

forget not the afflicted.

Lord, draw to yourself to all victims of abortion; 

forget not the millions of women in our country who have experienced abortion.

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven,

whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them

and in whose spirit is no deceit.

But, not for the wicked who renounce God

and says in his heart, “You will not call to account”

We remember that you do see these injustices, 

you keep count so you may take it into your hands; 

to you the helpless commits himself; 

you have been the helper of the fatherless. 

Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; 

call his wickedness to account till you find none.

We praise you, God. The Lord is king forever and ever; 

the nations perish from his land. 

O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; 

you will strengthen their heart; 

you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, 

so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

In your kingdom, O God, there will be no pain, suffering, or darkness. 

Until then, Spirit, empower us to do justice, 

teach us to love kindness, and 

lead us to walk humbly before our God.