As we celebrate Independence Day in the USA it seems like a world away to be reading that the UK has upheld a ruling this week declaring that protests should be banned outside abortion clinics and this ban includes praying.
Having ‘No Prayer Zones’ is surely an infringement of the basic Human Right to express oneself, but not according to the UK courts in relation to Abortion Clinics. LINK
“Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place“
As believers, we have always thought that praying for others is a privilege and it is. This could not be more clearly defined than that of praying for an unborn child about to be aborted and for his/her mom. However, on Monday July 2nd, 2018 the High Court in the UK decided that somehow praying outside abortion clinics is a crime. An infringement of privacy for the person having the abortion.
The judge, Mr Justice Turner ruled that the PSPO (public space protection order) banning prayer around clinics is legal and many more are probably set to follow. Whilst the Justice did agree that the ruling would interfere with people’s human rights to express themselves, he believed it was a “necessary step in a democratic society.”
The Sanctity of Life
The sanctity of life is the essence of our faith. From Genesis to Revelation we read about the creation of new life, new beginnings and eternal life. Life has value, worth and is 
precious to God. It is Holy because it came from God. Here are just a few verses about the unborn:
“Yet You desired faithfulness even in the womb; You taught me wisdom in that secret place” (Psalm 51:6)
“Yet You brought me out of the womb.” (Psalm 22:9)
“From birth I was cast on You; from my mother’s womb You have been my God.” (Psalm 22:10)
“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)
These verses confirm that life in the womb is created and overseen by God from beginning to end. Therefore, the age old question of when does life begin? Well, let me explain…
Abortion – Emotional or Spiritual?
Ephesians 1:4 states this: “Just as He chose us beforehand in Him from before the foundation of the universe, that we shall be holy and without spot before Him, and He ordained us beforehand in love for Himself.”
It is widely accepted that life begins, in the natural, at the moment of conception. Man has constantly over time tried to exert his knowledge, as greater than that of God’s, through the vehicle of science. However, he still cannot explain how life turns from being a ‘cluster of cells’ into a vibrant, individual with thoughts, feelings, character and a DNA profile all of his or her own!
This is because physically you were created by man but spiritually by God.
When considering abortion, the woman must also consider the spiritual conception and life – the soul of the child. This unfortunately is not offered during regular counseling, depriving women of making fully informed decisions.
Therefore, the entire subject of abortion must include the spiritual rights as well as the physical ones of the unborn child and mother.
Sadly, the court’s ruling determines only the mother’s rights have to be upheld at all costs. It has in effect ensured that the unborn has no rights, voice or access to this world or even now to God through the prayer of others.
” …future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!” (Psalm 22:31)
This article was written by Karin McBride-Chenoweth, an award-winning writer, editor and publisher of Christian and secular works in Europe and the USA. Originally from Northern Ireland, Karin now lives in the USA.