
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday 2025
Tomorrow, January 19th, is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is typically celebrated on the third Sunday in January, a tradition started in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan because it’s close to January 22.
Why January 22? January 22, 1973 is the date in US history when the Supreme Court declared it was unconstitutional for states to unduly restrict abortion, and essentially legalized abortion on demand in our nation. The Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade in their decision of the Dobbs vs Jackson case in June 2022, and states were given back their freedom to each decide their own abortion laws.
Through each change of the laws, tensions continue to run high about abortion in our nation. This is because abortion is, at its essence, a spiritual issue. It is a battle between God and evil—over people. Our stance on abortion reveals what we know and believe about God, about the gospel of Jesus, and about the sacredness of human life.
Sanctity of Human life Sunday helps churches, families, and individuals pause to remember that human life is created by God in His image for His purposes, and that life is a gift from Him. It’s a time to remember, with sorrow, the millions of preborn babies’ lives lost to abortion, as well as the millions of parents who have been harmed by abortion. And it’s a time to refresh our hope in the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to address our mistakes (even our worst ones), save us from our sins, heal our hurts, and help us make gloriously good decisions going forward, in relationship with Him. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10).