“Freedom of speech secures freedom of thought and belief,” states Justice Kennedy. These sound words are more important than ever as our freedom of speech continues to be challenged and threatened, but we have some exciting news and all the victory goes to our God and our Protector. This past June the Supreme Court of California overturned a coercive law forcing pregnancy help centers/clinics to promote free tax-funded abortions. NIFLA, National Institute of Family Life Advocates, stood against the opposing force and presented a strong case against this law and won the battle.
However, the war is not over. That same week Hope Clinic experienced a deceptive encounter with an unknown group. We believe that this encounter is intended to be used to discredit the work of pregnancy help clinics. The details are not as important as your earnest prayer for this is not a physical attack but a spiritual war.
During times like this we can rest on God’s word such as, Isaiah 54:17 that gives us confidence that He is fighting this battle, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from me,” declares the Lord.” Did you catch the last three words, declares the Lord? God has already won the war! In this verse He promises that this is our HERITAGE -they will not prosper, they will be condemned, period!!
At Hope Clinic we have been called by God to be His hands and feet. Scripture gives us the path on how to minister to those who walk through our doors whether they are a real client in need or a deceiver that has been formed against us. We are ready to serve! We are prepared for ‘our speech to be God’s Word by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), sharing God's plan for hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), and opening our mouths for those who have no voice (Proverbs 31:8).
The Board of Directors and the staff of Hope Clinic are calling on you to lift this challenge up in prayer. Do not grow weary at this time. I know you have many needs that you currently pray for, but be assured that this is just the beginning of various attacks on pregnancy centers/clinics across our nation. I am asking only for your prayers, not for physical confrontation or picketing of any kind to those who threaten us. God is our Great Defender. He has taught us well and has prepared us to be “wise as serpents and gentle as doves” (Matthew 10:16). We may not always be perfect and we may doubt from time-to-time, but just as Jesus sent out the 12 knowing some were doubting He continued to use them in spite of themselves for “He wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:4)
In conclusion, we are also asking you to pray for our protection, our continued witness, and for our enemies because Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:44 to, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”