In February of 2006 a prayer request was sent to me concerning a couple who were contemplating aborting their baby. I responded to them with the letter below.

 

Sunday, February 26, 2006

 

Dear Robert,

 

Your prayer request was sent to me and it has been entered into my web site.  I just wanted to share some thoughts with you that you might share with the mother of this child.

 

Jeremiah 1:5 - 10

5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."

6 Then said I: "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth."

7 But the LORD said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.

8 Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you," says the LORD.

9 Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant."

 

God told Jeremiah that he had been ordained before he was born and even more important than that God knew Jeremiah before God formed him in the womb.  Think about it … before Jeremiahs mother and father crowned their love for one another with a climax, God knew Jeremiah. In addition God says “I formed you in the womb.”

Now look at verses 9 and 10. God put His words in Jeremiahs mouth and He set him over nations and kingdoms to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant. Who can say today what the child in that womb will be in 20, 30, 40 or 60 years from today. Who can say this child will not make a difference in the world. Who can say today you were not chosen to be the parents of the next world leader or the Doctor who saves the life of the next world leader. Who can say today that this child is not going to bring you greater joy and happiness than you have ever known.

 

 

Matthew 1:20-25

20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:

23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,

25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. (NKJ)

 

When it comes to the children we conceive, it is no longer about us .. it is about them. We have a responsibility to only conceive  when we are in fellowship with God and if we do otherwise then it is up to us to see to it that the child becomes everything God would want him or her to be. We are to guide them to become the best "them" they can be. We are to help them become prepared to live the life the way they were envisioned by God to live. We are not to make them who they are to be but we are to equip them to find who they are to be. The greatest joy I have in this life is watching my children and grand-children become who they are becoming. I cannot imagine what my children and grandchildren will accomplish and see accomplished in their life time. As I consider the possibilities I some how regret that I will not get to see the most notables of their victories. What I would have missed by never knowing my children and grandchildren is a decision I should not make in the unknowing years of my youth.    

 

1 Peter 1:20-25

20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

24 because "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away,

25 But the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. (NKJ)

 

Can any of us say today that the child in the womb has little or no importance? Look at verse 20. “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, ..” Think of it!!! Before the foundation of the world! Thousands of years ago God planned for this child and I am so wise that I can decide today that God made a mistake? Can you be sure you know best?

 

It is easy for me to say what pain you as a woman should endure for I am a man and will never know child bearing. But I am a father who still regrets the mistakes I made with my children and regrets the moments I missed with my children in my foolish youth.  I can only say to you this is one decision you cannot reverse 10, 20 or 30 years for now. Do not make this decision without spending much time in prayer.