With Synergy of Mercy and Truth, OneVoiceDC Prayer Gathering Raises a Song for Life - JOSH M. SHEPHERD/BOUND4LIFE

Matt Lockett in worship. (Courtesy)

With Synergy of Mercy and Truth, OneVoiceDC Prayer Gathering Raises a Song for Life

JOSH M. SHEPHERD/BOUND4LIFE  Jan. 26, 2017

On Monday, President Donald Trump signed the Mexico City Policy as one of his first acts on his first Monday in office—banning any U.S. funding of overseas groups that provide or promote abortion. Many praised the executive order as a "great start."

Pro-life leaders see years of policy battles and work ahead to protect women and lives in the womb. "In this lifelong endeavor of upholding the value of every life, it is easy to grow weary," notes Bound4LIFE executive director Matt Lockett. 

"The only thing that can sustain our stand is making the space and taking the time to hear from God Himself," says Lockett, who has led a group standing in prayer outside the U.S. Supreme Court since 2004. "That's why, when Ryan and Bethany Bomberger floated the idea of a prayer gathering linked to the March for Life, we jumped at the chance to partner with them."

OneVoiceDC is an annual prayer and worship gathering to "speak life and biblical truth into the greatest human rights injustice of our day, which is abortion," according to event co-founder Bethany Bomberger. DC-area churches and pro-life ministries nationwide are represented with a diversity of ethnicities, denominations and worship styles.

For three years, she and her husband Ryan have brought together leading pro-life voices in a different format than one normally encounters in Washington. Rather than presenting formal speeches, leaders like Alveda King, Tony Perkins, Star Parker, Charmaine Yoest and Bishop Harry Jackson have shared their hearts in prayers to God.

Two leaders, both returning to the event this Thursday night, illustrate how mercy and truth infuse this non-denominational prayer gathering.

"We come to You tonight praising You for forgiveness," prayed Abby Johnson at OneVoiceDC. "We know that none of us is worthy of redemption, but because of Your precious blood—because of Your scandalous mercy—we are forgiven. You love us so much. Because You call us Your children, we are able to receive Your love."

Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director, now runs a ministry to help abortion workers leave the industry. "I pray for those who are still trapped inside the abortion industry—that they find Your grace and run into Your arms, like a child runs to her father! I ask that there would be an exodus from the abortion industry."

"God, touch their hearts as only You can do. I ask that You would replace the fear in their hearts with overwhelming joy," Johnson continued.

"Lord, would you give us Your compassion for these workers?" she asked, challenging those assembled to cast off attitudes of anger and offense. "No one is beyond conversion because no one is beyond Your power. I pray that the doors of these abortion facilities would be shut."

Right after Johnson, Catherine Davis came at the issue of abortion from a different perspective. Nearly two years ago, Davis led a prayer march in Selma, Alabama to close an illegal abortion center. Only months later, the abortionist closed up shop. The story is told in a new documentary, Hear from Heaven, premiering on the evening of March for Life 2017.

"Father God, we come before Your throne tonight with Thanksgiving. You do miracles in the earth today," Davis began.

"You showed us that with the Center for Medical Progress videos that revealed the truth about abortion in America. You showed us that in Selma, Alabama when You shut down that illegal abortionist—no one can take credit for that but You, Lord!"

She continued: "Father, we come today asking for another miracle: that You would raise up Your army to end the scourge of abortion in this nation. Awaken the black community who have been blinded to this scourge for so long. God, expose the truth that abortion has been about population control from its beginning. 

"We pray You will go from heart to heart and raise them up to join this fight for life—just like You did in Selma, where black, white, Hispanic, Native American and everybody came together as one. Together, our unity broke the influence of that illegal abortionist," she recounted.

Davis prayed with fiery passion: "We pray tonight for an unleashing, beginning here in Washington, D.C., and growing to an avalanche that will break the influence of abortion over this nation once and for all."

This Thursday evening, Davis and Johnson are slated to join other leaders such as Eric Metaxas, Terri LaShae, the Transform DJs (Jonathan and Angela Burgess), Bishop Vincent Matthews, Reverend Dean Nelson, Pastor Kate Costa, Father Terry Gensemer, Charismatic Episcopal Church youth, Pastor Bill Shuler and others at OneVoiceDC.

The prayer and worship gathering will begin at 7 p.m. at Renaissance Downtown DC Hotel. No registration is required and full event details are available online. As Davis concluded in her prayer: "Raise us up from OneVoiceDC to One Voice USA. We won't run from the fight, we'll run to the fight!" 

Josh M. Shepherd serves as communications manager at Bound4LIFE International, a faith-based pro-life group. He previously worked on staff at The Heritage Foundation and Focus on the Family. Josh and his wife Terri live in the Washington, D.C. area.

Reprinted with permission from Bound4LIFE.

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Biggest Political Upset in American History Poised to Shift US Supreme Court - JOSH M. SHEPHERD/BOUND4LIFE CHARISMA NEWS

A general view of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

Biggest Political Upset in American History Poised to Shift US Supreme Court

11/16/2016 JOSH M. SHEPHERD/BOUND4LIFE  CHARISMA NEWS

Uniting a diverse coalition of blue-collar workers, pro-life advocates and people of all backgrounds, last week Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the U.S. election—becoming the 45th president of the United States in "the biggest political upset in American history" as The Economist and media outlets worldwide reported. 

The victory was unexpected partly because polling models did not fully account for what issues motivated certain voters. Exit polls showed that "7 in 10 voters nationwide say Supreme Court appointments were either the most important factor or an important factor in their decision to support a candidate."  

Describing those motivated by the appointment of new judges, ABC News stated: "These voters overwhelmingly favor Trump." 

Personnel Is Policy 

Led by Vice President-elect Mike Pence, the Trump transition team will be making headlines daily over the next two months—working to place conservative personnel to lead departments across the executive branch, including in domestic, economic and foreign policy. 

From government funding of abortion to the rise of assisted suicide, from bioethics concerns to conscience rights for medical professionals, every new staff member has the potential to be involved in protecting and defending lives. Yet it's the empty seat on the U.S. Supreme Court pro-life advocates are intently focused upon.  

Who will Mr. Trump nominate for this seat, and how will the U.S. Senate guide his decision? While some nationwide have circled Inauguration Day (Jan. 20) as the first date to refocus on politics, important moves will be made in the coming weeks. 

"The first appointment to fill the Scalia vacancy will give Donald Trump the opportunity to preserve, and improve, the divided court that existed before the election," says Allan Parker, president of The Justice Foundation. Parker has been involved in pro-life legal advocacy for more than two decades. 

Indeed, experts at The Heritage Foundation recently noted how a divided court means the empty seat carries great significance.  

A media circus is expected with any nominee to the high court, often focusing on the potential justice's gender or other external traits. Yet the important questions will center on his or her judicial philosophy. 

"Donald Trump should appoint an original-intent constitutionalist, one who interprets the Constitution according to the original intent of the American founders and ratifiers," states Texas attorney Allan Parker. 

"Of course, the Constitution can be amended and has been over the years—but not by judges. There is a legislative process for amendments, subject to the consent of the governed which is where we get the legitimacy of our form of government." 

Small Committee Faces Big Decisions

Trump is expected to announce a nominee in the first weeks of his presidency—with much fanfare. During the campaign, he released a list of 21 potential judges from which he would ultimately choose one important name. 

"Donald Trump showed real leadership by putting out a list of excellent candidates for the empty seat on the Supreme Court," says Carrie Severino, policy director of the Judicial Crisis Network. "That list, combined with the principled position taken by Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Grassley, is what made the Supreme Court such a key issue in this election." 

The Senate Judiciary Committee carries responsibility for vetting all Supreme Court nominees, including during the high-stakes nomination hearings. The committee, currently chaired by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), is comprised of 11 Republican and nine Democratic Senators. 

While Republicans were elected to majorities in Congress—with the Democratic Party having few ways to obstruct the process—the Senate's role of providing advice and consent on new personnel appointed by President Trump could result in a holdup. 

"It will be a busy spring," Severino continues. "The U.S. Senate will be in the unusual position of having to process a Supreme Court nomination at the same time as over 1,200 presidential appointment positions." 

At least one Senator is leaving the Judiciary Committee. After opting not to run for reelection, Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana) will retire this year.  

Another committee member, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) has forged a close bond with President-elect Trump as one of his strongest backers—leading some to speculate he will leave the Senate to work in the Trump Administration. In this event, two Republican seats on the committee will need to be filled. 

"This election was all about the Supreme Court, so engaged citizens are expecting pro-life leaders in the Senate to act accordingly," says Pam Olsen, a Florida prayer leader who supported Trump during campaign season. 

"We need voices like Joni Ernst, Ben Sasse and my own newly reelected Senator Marco Rubio on the Judiciary Committee—men and women of true conviction!" 

More Supreme Court Seats to Fill? 

Replacing the empty seat left by the late Justice Antonin Scalia may not be President Trump's only appointment to the high court. 

Three current Supreme Court justices are also approaching retirement age: Ruth Bader Ginsburg (age 83), Anthony Kennedy (age 80) and Stephen Breyer (age 78). Last week, retirement rumors surrounding Justice Kennedy surfaced. 

"With as many as three more vacancies possible in the next four years, [the] conservative domination could become overwhelming for generations to come," stated NPR News in post-election analysis. 

Yet considering recent pro-abortion court decisions, is it astute to envision some future Supreme Court case that will weigh innocent pre-born lives on the scales of justice? Attorney Allan Parker sees a path for such an outcome. 

"Decisions such as Roe v. Wade and its companion case can be overturned under the doctrine of stare decisis," asserts Parker, referring to a legal principle of constitutional law by which more than 200 Supreme Court decisions have been overturned. 

"All judges take an oath to defend the Constitution, which means honoring that written text more than any prior opinions—including court opinions. The U.S. Constitution expressly has a right to life in the fifth and fourteenth amendments," states Parker. 

Matt Lockett of Bound4LIFE International, who leads a team of pro-life Christian intercessors based on Capitol Hill since 2004, echoes this statement. 

"Many have said that Roe v. Wade will never be overturned; they also said the election could never go the way that it did. I believe we are in a unique season of answered prayer. The pro-life movement must push forward right now with what we know is right and true," declares Lockett. 

Parker emphasizes the new administration must live up to its campaign promises, saying, "Republicans need to be as bold and as confident as President-elect Trump was when he said that he would appoint judges who would overturn Roe v. Wade." 

Josh M. Shepherd serves as communications manager at Bound4LIFE International, a faith-based pro-life organization. He previously worked on staff at The Heritage Foundation and Focus on the Family. Josh and his wife Terri live in the Washington, D.C. area. 

Reprinted with permission from Bound4LIFE. 

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