This document summarizes the key events of the landmark 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, which established a woman's right to an abortion under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. It then shares a biblical reading from Psalm emphasizing how we are all fearfully and wonderfully made by God. The document closes with a prayer asking God to protect all human life and give people courage to make choices that respect the dignity and rights of every person.

1. • Today, January 22, 2013, marks the 40th
anniversary of a landmark Supreme Court case,
Roe v. Wade.
• Some of you may wonder what happened in
this famous court case. Well, why not ask the
person at the center of the controversy, Jane
Roe herself?

3. As we reflect on the importance of
the dignity of life, let us turn to the
word of God…
A reading from the book of Psalm
[13] For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
[14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
[15] My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
[16] Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
The word of the Lord…

4. Please respond: “Lord hear our prayer”
For all unborn children: that our love for them may keep them
safe until the joyous day of their birth;
We pray to the Lord…
For all children who have died from abortion, that God might
cradle them in his arms and grant them eternal peace with him;
We pray to the Lord…
For all mothers, especially those who are young or alone, beaten
or addicted; that God might heal their broken hearts and seal
them with his love;
We pray to the Lord…
For all who are forgotten or thrown away, and especially for the
poor, the sick and the aged, that God might change our hearts
and move us to love them as the image of Christ
We pray to the Lord…
For those deprived of their human needs and their human rights,
that they may be given the dignity which God confers on all his
people;
We pray to the Lord…

5. Closing Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for bringing us all together here today to discuss
the importance of all lives. Every human life has an impact on
the world. We pray that everyone will get the opportunity to
do so. Often times people will feel like no one needs them in
this world, like if they just disappeared, no one would even
notice. If you think this way, don't, because whether you
know it or not, someone loves you. Your life is invaluable,
precious and pure. We hope and pray to make choices that
protect all human life. We are all special. We all have the right
to live. Please, Lord, give us the courage to be respectful
beings and to have the strength to make the right decisions,
even when it is hard.
Amen.