Pro-Life Movement Takes a Hit in Midterms, But Path Forward Remains Clear
Read time: 3 minutes 32 seconds
The Red Wave that was supposed to wash across the country sputtered out after rolling across the state of Florida mere hours ahead of Hurricane Nicole.
Both Democrats and Republicans are scratching their heads at what exactly happened during the 2022 midterm elections, and neither side is particularly happy right now.
With votes still being counted in tight, crucial races in several states, control of Congress hangs in the balance.
What is known for certain, is that the furor the left and its pro-abortion constituents felt at the overturning of Roe made its presence known.
The pro-life movement suffered several heart-wrenching defeats at the state level across the country.
In Kansas, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly recorded a re-election victory in the very red state. This loss for the Republican legislature in the state ensures that Kelly will veto any attempts to pass legislation that restricts abortion. In the past, Republicans have been close to overriding her vetos, but have fallen short of the necessary support to do so.
Earlier this year, Kansas voters voted down an amendment to the Kansas constitution that would have declared having an abortion was not an inherent right.
The state of Maryland elected Democrat Wes Moore to succeed outgoing Republican Gov. Larry Hogan. Hogan had fought against expanding abortion practices across the state, yet with a Democratic legislature, and a pro-abortion governor over the state, Maryland looks poised to pass sweeping abortion legislation.
In one of the few states that shifted blue, Michigan reelected Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has been very vocal in fighting against pro-life legislation passed by the state’s Republican-led legislature.
After the midterms however, the entirety of the Michigan government is now run by Democrats. Having the blue-trifecta in place, sweeping pro-abortion legislation will likely be one of the first bullet points on Whitmer’s agenda.
Perhaps the most stunning, and heartbreaking, was Montana’s LR-131 that was voted down by its citizens. This measure has been surrounded by confusion and unclear wording about what exactly the measure will do.
Representative Matt Reiger, R-Kalispell, attempted to clear up some of the confusion for voters:
“It states health care providers must take ‘medically appropriate and reasonable actions to preserve the life and health of a born-alive infant.’ Hospice care is appropriate, and it is disingenuous of the opposition to misconstrue and belittle the hospice line of health care. Medically appropriate and reasonable health care is the treatment you and I expect when we visit our medical provider. Why would we not afford this same care to infants?”
This would include the lives of infants born after a failed abortion.
Yet multitudes of doctors belonging to the Montana Medical Association, Montana Hospital Association, Montana Nurses Association and the state chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics all oppose the referendum believing it would criminalize them for withholding care to a baby with a fatal condition at the request of the parents.
There is no sugar-coating the losses that the movement to save the lives of innocent babies has suffered since the overturning of Roe.
These are discouraging legislative defeats but can serve as the rallying cry to the pro-life community across the country.
The battle is not over. The war is already won by the Lord, but in the meantime, Christians must stand up for the life with which God blessed humanity.
With these legislative victories, the pro-abortion crowd is energized and pushing forward. The media is on their side and will offer no aid to the pro-life movement. So, the pro-life community must turn to the One who can win this battle: God.
With nationwide prayer and fasting this battle can and will eventually be won. But there must be a concentrated effort to defeat those who push for the murder of the unborn.
The spirit behind abortion will not be defeated easily. Jesus warns His followers about this type of spirit in Mark 9:29, “He said to them, ‘This kind cannot come out except by prayer and fasting.'”
So, if Christians truly want to win this battle for the unborn, they will heed the words of Jesus and do as He commanded them. This is the only way to victory for the voiceless. {eoa}
Bring Charisma magazine home with a subscription today!
James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.