Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc., is under intense political attack and scrutiny. We need to pray for her. Seriously.

In the midst of another great debate of cultural ethics and national morality stands a woman and the organization she leads. Truthfully, I want to see Planned Parenthood defunded now. In fact, I want to see the doors shut and never opened again. There is absolutely no way around this becoming even more of the giant elephant in Congress that it has become. Abortion is at the very heart of our nation’s divide on morality, ethics, and women’s rights. It is messy, political, and it will have far reaching sociopolitical consequences.

I’m fine with that. Without confrontation there can be no peace. Without a zealous pursuit for justice we will most certainly lose every good thing about our society that brings pleasure to God. This is a multi-faceted issue.

However, I think something is missing at the heart of this issue. We need to confront injustice, but we need to do so with the biggest and greatest goals in mind. I hope that these greater goals, the ones bigger than defunding Planned Parenthood, are not lost in the wreckage of a messy political battle.

What are these greater goals?

1. Cecile Richards is a beautiful and wonderful woman fashioned by the Word of God. Does she need to be brought to justice? Yes. Does she need prayer, a faithful and loving witness of the Gospel, and to be told about a hope greater than any social justice cause? More so! Is it too late for her? Not yet. She is a woman full of zeal and faithfulness to her cause. I for one will always have more respect for a zealous enemy than a lethargic friend. I want Cecile on my side!
2. How terrible would it be if we defunded Planned Parenthood, but stopped there? Planned Parenthood isn’t the only place to get an abortion. Are we wasting money on a death machine by not defunding? Definitely. Will beautiful and wonderful babies fashioned by the Word of God still be aborted? Yes. We need to keep in mind that defunding Planned Parenthood is part of a larger fight, and that is to end abortion in our nation. This is not a rebuke, just a reminder.
3. Without a thriving adoption movement and a church consumed, yes consumed, with faithfulness to support adoption, many of these newly saved babies will not have a home. Add to this thought care for single moms and support for rape victims. It takes a village. You may not be able to adopt but you can buy a coat or befriend a widow in her distress. You can pray. You can give kind words and be a mentor. There is ALWAYS something you can do.
4. The biggest picture goal in my mind, is that we also live in a nation and society in desperate need to hear the Faithful Witness of Jesus Christ. He is our only hope when everything is going well. He is also our only hope when the proverbial dung heap hits the fan. Changing laws does not change hearts, yet it is no excuse to perpetuate evil laws. Changing the law will save human lives. However, only Jesus can right the wrongs on a spiritual level. The Church is the mouthpiece, the hands, and the feet of Christ in every nation. If people do not witness the unfailing love of Christ pouring from the Church into society, than it will be the blood of unrighteousness covering the Church’s doorpost. The merciful will receive mercy.

Father, rescue Cecile Richards from the dominion of darkness and convey her into the kingdom of the Son of Your love. Jesus, I plead Your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America! Amen.

– J. S. Marek