Op-Ed: Will Abortion be Abolished?

Will Abortion be Abolished?

by Brice Chaffin (Stillwater, OK)

Abolition Day will take place on the State Capitol Steps on Tuesday, February 9th at 09:30 am. I would like to invite you to come with me to the Capitol to demand the abolition of abortion in our state. I believe it is very important for us Okies to be there, let me explain why. In 1835 Andrew Reed and James Matheson, two British ministers who visited sister churches in the United States said, "America will be great if America is good. If not, her greatness will vanish away like a morning cloud."

All will agree that America is more divided than it has been since the Civil War, our "greatness" is in a precarious position. I believe the only way to resolve the problems we are currently having is for a return to God. You may have heard 2 Chronicles 7:14 quoted frequently in recent times. "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 

There have been quite a few national and state days of prayer lately. On September 26th of last year, we saw Jonathan Cahn and Franklin Graham lead a national day of prayer and repentance. Governor Stitt declared December 3rd as a statewide day of prayer and fasting. One of the key phrases in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is, "turn from their wicked ways". We as a state HAVE been praying, but what are we missing? 

In the Old Testament, God continued to be patient with the people who had turned their backs on Him until they started practicing child sacrifice; that was the last straw. According to the Oklahoma Health Department, there were 4,995 abortions in Oklahoma in 2019. Can we expect revival without repentance? How do we repent of killing five thousand of our children every year in Oklahoma? James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Well, what does it say? Proverbs 24:11-12 says: "Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don't excuse yourself by saying, 'Look, we didn't know.' For God understands all hearts, and He sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve."

We have had 48 years to be made aware of what is going on around us, and God has tasked us to rescue those unjustly sentenced to die. Proverbs 31:8 says: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed." Next week I will submit another letter to the editor addressing concerns about abolition bills, and what I learned about abolition on the campaign trail for State House. God is gracious to forgive and restore us if we repent and turn to Him for forgiveness. If you would like to do a little speaking up, I implore you to come with me to the State Capitol for Abolition Day on Tuesday, February 9th at 9:30 am to speak up, repent, and pray for revival and restoration.