AB 1973 — Pastor Talking Points
For Use in Sermons, Bible Studies, or Small Group Settings
California Family Council | Church Engagement Resource
Biblical Framing
Scripture declares that God knits each child together in the womb and that every life bears His image (Psalm 139:13-14, Genesis 1:27). As followers of Christ, we are called to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves — and right now, that call is urgent.
Talking Points
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California is considering a bill — AB 1973 — that would allow non-physicians to perform abortions deep into pregnancy, even into the second and third trimesters. We're talking about a time when an unborn child has a beating heart, developing organs, and the capacity to feel pain.
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The procedures this bill expands access to are not simple medical treatments. Second-trimester procedures involve the physical dismemberment of a fully formed child. This is a hard truth — but a true one. Proverbs 31:8-9 calls us to "open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute."
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This bill would also loosen existing legal protections and shield out-of-state providers from accountability, even if those providers have faced discipline or criminal charges elsewhere. Less oversight means less protection — for mothers and for unborn children alike.
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This isn't just a political issue — it's a pastoral one. Many in our congregation have been touched by abortion, either personally or in their families. We hold this conversation with grief and with grace, always pointing to the healing found in Jesus.
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God has not called us to silence. Proverbs 24:11-12 tells us: "Rescue those who are being taken away to death." That rescue happens in prayer, in community, and in civic engagement.
How to Pray
Spend a few minutes praying together over these specific concerns:
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For the unborn: Pray for every child in the womb in California today — that God would protect their lives and that their dignity would be upheld.
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For lawmakers: Pray that God would grant wisdom and moral courage to legislators, and that those voting on AB 1973 would be moved to protect the vulnerable.
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For women in crisis: Pray for women facing unexpected pregnancies — that they would find genuine support, compassion, and hope, not just a referral to an abortion clinic.
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For the church: Pray that believers across California would not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9), and that the church would be a life-affirming presence in every community.
Discussion Question
For small groups or Sunday school classes:
"What does it look like for our church to be a place where women in difficult pregnancies feel genuinely supported — practically, emotionally, and spiritually? What is one concrete step we could take together?"
A Gentle Call to Action
If this stirs your heart, take one step this week. Visit californiafamily.org to learn more about AB 1973 and find out how to respectfully contact your state representative. Your voice matters — not because politics saves, but because God uses ordinary people to stand in the gap for the vulnerable. "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9