Well, folks. As I opened my Bible this morning to Psalm 139. You know, I've been thinking a lot lately about what God says about life in the womb. David writes there in verse 13-14: "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Oh, what a beautiful picture! God Himself is the One knitting that little life together, every detail, every heartbeat, from the very beginning.
Something special about God is that He knows each one of us before we were born, He knew the moment we were conceived and is present with us at every developmental phase from then on. The Hebrew word for 'formed' (or 'possessed/created') here is fascinating; it's the verb qānāh, the same one used in Genesis 14:19,22 (where God is the 'Possessor/Creator' of heaven and earth) and Proverbs 8:22 ('brought forth').
It's not the main creation words from Genesis 1:1,21,27, but speaks to God intimately, forming and claiming us. It refers to the 'inmost being', literally 'my kidneys' in Hebrew idiom, the innermost center of emotions, conscience, and moral sensitivity, where God tests and examines the heart.
Verse 14 holds another Hebrew treasure in the words 'fearfully and wonderfully made.' The term 'fearfully' (from yārēʾ) it speaks of being crafted with profound reverence, deep respect, and awe-inspiring care, not fear in the sense of terror, but the kind of holy wonder that leaves us breathless before God's work. 'Wonderfully' (from pālāʾ) means set apart, distinct, marvellous, and uniquely extraordinary.
It's as if David is saying: 'You are the One who formed me so intimately (as described in verses 15-16), yet this masterpiece You've created is beyond my full understanding. I can only stand in awe and wonder at what Your hands have made.
These verses have made my heart heavy today, brothers and sisters. As we look around in our nation, particularly in the UK where some of you are, there's been this recent move in the House of Lords with the Crime and Policing Bill.
They've advanced provisions that decriminalise abortion for the woman herself, even at late stages, up to full term in self-managed cases. The 24-week limit still stands for most medical abortions but removing prosecution for a woman ending her own pregnancy at any point... well, it opens the door wide.
Voices like those on GB News have pointed out that public support for this is very low, maybe just 1%, yet here it is moving forward.
And commentators like Lois McLatchie Miller have said plainly on X, “Yes, I do think that a woman who kills a 39-week-old baby in the womb in order to hide an affair should be prosecuted, actually." She is totally right, as a baby at 39 weeks is fully formed, breathing fluid in the womb, heart beating, ready for life outside, and to end such a life is a profound tragedy, which grieves my heart.
How do these things happen medically?
Firstly, the pill (mifepristone) blocks progesterone, detaching the placenta and cutting off the baby's oxygen and nourishment, essentially starving and suffocating the child.
Secondly, (misoprostol) forces strong contractions to expel the body. At full term, this is not gentle; it induces a traumatic delivery of a baby already deprived of life. Different stages of pregnancy use adapted methods, pills early on, surgical procedures later, but from God's view, every life in the womb is precious and human.
As Psalm 139:13-16 (NKJV) declares: "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made... Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed."
From conception, it's a human life. Jeremiah 1:5 tells us, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you." God knows, God forms, God values everyone.
And here in Scotland, things get even tougher for those who want to stand quietly in prayer. The Safe Access Zones law creates buffers around clinics, up to 200 meters, this is where even silent prayer, a vigil, or offering help can be seen as influencing or distressing.
Peaceful believers have faced charges already. It is hard when you just want to pray for the women and babies, and to show Christ's compassion.
Some folks are wondering if this is part of a bigger judgment on our land for turning from God. Allie Beth Stuckey raised the question about cultural shifts being divine consequences for wickedness. She said, "I do wonder if the Islamification of the UK is divine judgment for its wickedness."
Whether or not we agree on every point, Scripture warns of consequences when nations turn from God (Romans 1:18-32). This warns us what happens when people suppress the truth, God gives them over to their own ways.
The drift in parts of the church grieves us too, like in the Church of England, whose official position is one of principled opposition to abortion, affirming the infinite worth of every human life, including the unborn. Archbishop Sarah Mullally spoke in the Lords debate, saying all life is precious and that women in these hard situations deserve care and support.
Sadly she couldn't support the clause because it risks eroding safeguards around the 24-week limit and undermining the value of life, even if unintentionally, but she backed amendments to limit it. Yet the change passed.
And for many of us who hold to Scripture's clear teaching on church leadership, where elders and overseers are qualified men (1 Timothy 2:11-12; Titus 1:6), seeing women in bishop and archbishop roles feels like part of that same drift from God's pattern for His church. It all points to a need for a humble return to the Word.
But here's the hope, friends. God hasn't changed. He's near to the broken-hearted. Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." He calls His people to humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from wicked ways, then He'll hear and heal (2 Chronicles 7:14).
We can't legislate righteousness, it only starts in the heart, but things we can do is that we can pray from wherever we are, at home, in church, or in secret.
God hears those prayers. Matthew 6:6 promises our Father who sees in secret will reward openly.
So, what do we do?
- Pray fervently from home, church, or safe places, God hears every cry (Matthew 6:6).
- Support pregnancy help ministries that offer real compassion and alternatives.
- Share truth in love where we can, standing on Scripture.
Those who have been through abortion can find healing and forgiveness at the cross. And we wait on the Lord: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles" (Isaiah 40:31).
The unborn have no voice but ours. Let us not grow numb, let us grieve, pray, and hope in the One who knit us together.
May revival come to our land, protecting every precious life.
If you're feeling that burden for life today, or know someone who needs real help and hope, take a look at the "Choose Life" resources we've put together on the site.
It's a simple page with Bible encouragement, UK-based ministries to contact for support, and ways we can stand together in prayer and action, one life at a time. You can find it here: https://bornagainchristians.faith/faith-resources/choose-life.
You're not alone; God's people are here to walk with you.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Peter
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