Life-related ballot initiatives considered in 13 states; Tornado disrupts Texas prayer meeting; How prayer and evangelism go together

Good News for Today

Following the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, the issue of abortion rights has taken center stage in state-level politics. This has resulted in numerous state ballot initiatives being decided by voters this fall, many of which relate to abortion and either seek to protect or harm preborn children. As the legal landscape has shifted, both pro-life and pro-abortion advocates have increasingly turned to these initiatives to advance their policy objectives.

A ballot initiative is a mechanism by which constituents can directly propose laws and constitutional amendments for a local or state government. Typically, this process is voted on by including it on the November ballot. Many states are now making progress either to include pro-life protections in state law or to oppose such pro-life measures, including amendments to codify pro-abortion laws into the state constitution.

There are abortion-related ballot initiatives in 13 states.

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The sky grew dark with threatening clouds shortly before 6 p.m. May 22, but the eight people gathered for the midweek service at Dyess Grove Baptist Church, southeast of Temple, decided to go ahead as planned.

“All of a sudden those warnings on our phones went off” at about 6:20, said Pastor Steve Goode.

“We said, ‘Let’s cut this short.’”

Members fled the church building. Moments later, a tornado ripped off the wall that formed one side of the church worship space.

The end of the building remained open to the elements until a Texans on Mission temporary roof team arrived to close off the structure as much as possible.

The church’s insurance company is working on a solution. In a meantime, the disaster relief team continues to assist.

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Midwestern Seminary professor Joe Allen writes, “Prayer and evangelism go together like chocolate and peanut butter. The two practices mutually reinforce one another and enhance the other spiritual disciplines. The dynamic happens like this: the more you pray, the more you attune your heart to God’s heart, and specifically, God’s heart for the lost. The more you seek to evangelize, the more you sense your need for the Holy Spirit’s divine enablement and long for his intervention. Prayer should lead to gospel proclamation, and gospel proclamation should intensify your prayers.

The irony is that prayer is often a solitary activity that appeals to introverts, while evangelism is a social activity that appeals to extroverts. Regardless of your personality, maintaining a close interrelationship between prayer and evangelism will push you out of your comfort zone and force you to grow. When you join prayer and evangelism, watch out! Something special is about to happen.”