New Life Pregnancy Center’s Sanctity of Human Life Prayer Rally

Last month, the Southern Baptist Convention, churches and Christian organizations across the nation observed Sanctity of Human Life Sunday on Jan. 17. Traditionally, the third Sunday in January marks this day of honoring life by recognizing that God has a plan and a purpose for everyone — from preborn children to aging adults — regardless of age, race, background or ability. In preparation for this day, New Life Pregnancy Center hosted a Sanctity of Human Life Prayer Rally at the Phoenix office of Arizona Baptist Children’s Services & Family Ministries on Saturday, Jan. 16.

The prayer rally was an opportunity to gather together in person and online to honor God and pray in unity for the most vulnerable in our society. Raquel Williams, state director of New Life Pregnancy Centers and the event emcee, shared a call to action at the start of the event: “As the Body of Christ, we are called to speak up and to stand for those who cannot speak for themselves. We are thankful for your boldness in recognizing and defending the value of life.”

The main speaker was Robby Lashua, pastor of Apologetics at Desert Springs Community Church, who gave a timely message on the value of human life and how we are all created in God’s image. Guest speakers included Tami Abernethy, executive director and CEO of Hope Women’s Center; Garrett Riley, director of the Arizona Life Coalition; Mike Molina, assistant director of Arms of Love Foster Care in Maricopa County; Nancy Beeman, New Life Pregnancy Center volunteer; and Fernando Amaro, North American Mission Board church planting catalyst.

The speakers represented different facets of the prolife community and were united in purpose. Prayer topics covered were children and families in need of hope and care, healing after abortion, the prolife community and our nation, orphan care and vulnerable populations. Each speaker led a time of prayer on their topic and then invited attendees to pray over prayer points individually.

There were many groups and organizations who helped make this event a success. Volunteers who served at the event came from Relentless Church in Phoenix, Christian Challenge – Glendale Community College, Hillside Baptist Church in Phoenix and New Life Pregnancy Centers. Family Life Radio had a booth at the prayer rally and promoted it in advance.

The Arizona Southern Baptist Convention, along with a few churches, also promoted the event on social media. David Johnson, AZSBC executive director, joined us in person and was among those praying in the audience. Attendees followed COVID-19 protocols by social distancing outside and wearing face masks. Many joined online via Facebook Live. The event was broadcast to groups at Desert Springs Community Church and New Life Pregnancy centers in Tucson, Wickenburg and Yuma.

In the closing prayer segment on vulnerable populations, Fernando Amaro summarized the purpose of the event.

“As we consider what it means to honor the sanctity of human life, we must remember those in our communities who are often overlooked, marginalized or discriminated against,” he said. “We must be prepared to look beyond our differences to welcome them as Jesus would and to ‘love our neighbor as our self.’”

Did you miss the event? Visit @nlpcAZ on Facebook to watch the event today!