Australia’s Largest Christian News Site

Intention

To keep our eyes on Jesus’ example of love and on God’s ultimate victory, so that we engage in pro-life advocacy with faith-filled hope rather than anger or despair.

Scripture

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

– 1 Corinthians 13:4–8

Reflection

It’s vital to keep the ultimate victory as our priority.

John 3:16 states that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The ultimate victory is eternal salvation for all — even for those who oppose us. Our priority is not only heartbeats, but heartbeats that are heaven bound.

John 17:3 tells us more about this ultimate victory: “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

To know someone is to know their true nature.

While God transcends gender, Scripture reveals God’s character through both masculine and feminine expressions of love. God is not confined to one gender but embodies the fullness of both. Both male and female are made in God’s image. Both male and female are God’s creative design (Genesis 1:26–27).

I have recently heard this analogy describing what the full expression of this love looks like.

Imagine a family — dad, mum and three young children — living in a two-story house.

Dad gathers his children and takes them to the staircase. He gives them strict instructions that they are to not play on the stairs. They are to hold the handrail to keep themselves safe going up and down.

Mum and dad are in the kitchen one day. They hear a thud and little Johnny’s immediate cry. Running to the staircase, they discover that Johnny has hurt himself but, fortunately, not seriously.

Dad says “Johnny, I told you not to play on the stairs or you would get hurt”, reminding him of the rules and consequences of disobeying. What does mum do? She comes straight in, scoops Johnny up in her arms, and comforts him with her hug.

Both actions are love.

This is the balance that the Church must achieve.

It is good and necessary for the Church to declare and defend the sanctity of life (masculine). And, it is also good and necessary to welcome and support with open arms those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, as well as lead those wounded by abortion to healing (feminine). These expressions of love can be lived out through either gender.

It is only when the masculine and feminine are expressed together that we will achieve the full character of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). There is no such thing as the opposite sex — only the complementary sex. We are here to work together — us and God.

In her booklet “The Abortion Wounded Church”, President of Deeper Still, Karen A. Ellison expresses the importance of this work by writing:

“These wounds are often hidden from plain sight, but they are immense and deep. If we are going to turn the tide from a culture of death to a culture of life, and from a culture of shame to a culture of healing and freedom, then it’s the Lord’s Church that will lead the charge.”

God’s answer to the abortion tragedy is for his people to stand in the gap.

Love Australia’s House of Refuge ministry exists to help equip God’s people to express the fullness of love and bring the compassionate hug of God’s people to those who need us.

Individuals and churches across Australia are being equipped by the House of Refuge to extend help, hope and healing. If you would like more information or to connect with us, please visit the website here.

If you or anyone you know needs support, please contact Pregnancy Help Australia.

Video

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lead us in the way of your love to reach the lost and hurting. We repent for the shedding of innocent blood across Australia. May the Body of Christ be the answer, offering compassion to those who are unexpectedly pregnant and needing support, and lead those wounded by abortion to find forgiveness and healing.

May we see all people as you see them, Lord Jesus. Help us to do all we can to defend innocent lives that are on a path to destruction. Let our efforts to speak truth to our MPs with your love and grace break through their hearts of stone and turn them to defend these precious ones.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Author Bio

Jodie Pickard is the Founding Director of Love Australia, a leading pro-life organisation that supports the Walk for Life events through Love Adelaide and Love Sydney.

Jodie’s passion is to lead Love Australia’s latest endeavour, the House of Refuge ministry, with compassion. The mission is to equip churches all across Australia to be a safe haven — where those experiencing an unplanned/crisis pregnancy run to so they have no need to seek an abortion clinic and help those who have had an abortion find hope and healing.

Prayer Points for Babies Born Alive Left to Die 2026

1. The Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2026 to pass federal parliament. Micah 6:7–8

2. A change of hearts and minds towards LIFE across the nation. Psalm 139:13–16

3. Many to see the Baby Booties display on Parliament House’s lawns and many churches to be inspired to show the Born Alive Left to Die film. Hebrews 4:16

Sign up to receive daily devotions during these ten days of prayer and fasting in your inbox (and find extra info) here.

Join Us for Our Nightly Zoom Prayer Call:

DATES: From Monday, 10 August to Wednesday, 19 August

TIME: 8 pm AEST; 7:30 pm ACST; 6 pm AWST

ZOOM URL LINK: zoom.us/j/776881184

ZOOM TUTORIAL: youtube.com/watch?v=pAMDxH_H_Cs

View all Born Alive Left to Die 2026 devotionals

Daily devotions are brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.

___

Image via Adobe.