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Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
And they divided His garments and cast lots. ~ Luke 23:34 (NKJV)

I will never forget how shocked we were when, on 4 December 1969, the South Australian Parliament passed the Criminal Law Consolidation Act Amendment Bill (Abortion).

At that time the Liberal Government was in power. The Premier was Steel Hall, the Attorney General Robin Millhouse QC, and the Opposition Labor Leader was Don Dunstan. Both parties allowed a conscience vote for their members.

During the debate, MP Mr A Burdon (Labor, Mt Gambier) gave a solemn warning.

“We are probably discussing one of the most important social measures ever to come before any Australian Parliament… Through the introduction of a social measure such as this, we are only adding to the already permissive nature of today’s society. This is a step backwards and is against the principles of Christianity… This is the commencement of a backward slide in civilisation. Once we take the first step here, it will become easier because gradually the moral standards of the community will decline, WHICH IN TURN WILL BRING ABOUT ABORTION VIRTUALLY ON DEMAND.”

At the time, Mr Burdon was ridiculed for his comment, which most people thought was far-fetched.

And so South Australia became the first State to pass the legislation and open the gate for other States to follow.

Not long after, many of us attended a meeting in the Adelaide Town Hall, called by doctors and nurses who wanted assurance from the government that they would not be expected to take part in procedures that involved abortion, as outlined in the new legislation.

The Town Hall was packed and emotions spilled over as different speakers urged the government to withdraw the legislation.

The main thrust from members of Parliament and health officials was that they did not expect the issue to be a problem within our communities, that those requesting abortion would only be because of the threat of foetal abnormality or serious risk to a mother’s health. Assurance was given that there was no need for concern.

Years later, Robin Millhouse, who was the main architect of the abortion reform laws, expressed the burden he carried for being part of that reform.

“I deeply regret that the medical profession — and the lawyers — interpreted the law too widely. It has become abortion on demand. I did not intend it to be that.”

Millhouse was a committed Christian who later in life left the Anglican Church and became a Catholic, attending Mass twice a week. Near the end of his life, he said, “The good Lord has showered me with the most remarkable gifts and successes to make a happy successful life.”

Yet the burden of the abortion reform weighed heavily. He had not believed the warning given by MP Burton that abortion would be allowed on demand, and now, in his lifetime, he was seeing it come to pass.

Like many, he was deeply shocked.

For 55 years, I have followed this journey, leading prayer teams to pray inside our Parliament and more publicly on the steps out the front. Abortion does not only affect the mother and her child, but cuts off generations to come.

My own grandmother fell pregnant during World War I to a Welsh soldier stationed in Sydney. When her little daughter, my mother, was born in 1916, she left her in the middle of the night in a basket on the doorstep of a hospital in Melbourne.

Only recently, through Ancestry, have we been able to trace the identity of my grandparents.

I am forever grateful that that young, frightened mother did not abort her child. By not doing so, she gave me the gift of life, continuing down the generations.

My prayer for those who opened the floodgates of this evil reform:

Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.
And in my heart, I know I must forgive them.
Bless You.

Worship

Prayer Points

• Pray that the Spirit of Truth goes forth to persuade and convince people that abortion is unthinkable in Australia.
• That Jesus’s body be in unity as one (John 17:21) and be in prayer and advocate for Life for the Unborn. That Jesus’s disciples be activated in their unique spheres of influence speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.
• Pray that in all the upcoming elections that Australians will vote according to Life. That State and Federal political leaders who have stopped their parties from bringing forth any discussion or bills about abortion, repent and that this ban be lifted. That the Babies Born Alive (Human Rights — Children Born Alive Protection Bill 2021) tabled in the Australian Federal Parliament to be passed with no more delay, so that in every state and territory in Australia where babies have been born alive after a failed abortion, that they will receive proper medical care and legal protection.
• That every church be a trusted place of mercy and compassion — to discern and discover those who find themselves in an unplanned/crisis pregnancy. To be an effective House of Refuge for the unborn and their families. For Hubs of Love to be established in every city and town in the nation.
• That women in crisis phone the compassionate and confidential Pregnancy Help Australia or visit a life-affirming pregnancy centre — not go to a pro-abortion doctor or clinic for advice.
• We pray for every state and territory of Australia to arise in the cause of defending life in the womb from the tragedy of abortion and come together to walk for life. A blessing on the “Walk for Life Adelaide” on 8 February 2025 and “March for Life” Brisbane — date TBA, Mackay “March for the Babies” in October, “March for the Babies” Melbourne, Perth’s Rally for Life in May, and for all Territories and States to join in and hold a Walk for Life in their city/region.
• Pray for Love Adelaide’s Walk for Life 2025 on 8^th February from 10am-12pm to grow in momentum and fruitfulness. Pray for effective doors of favour to open, health and strength for the leaders, speakers and volunteers, for finances, safety and perfect weather.