ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
Day 1: Freedom from Fear
Intention
To acknowledge that fear lies at the root of abortion and to repent of fear in our own lives.
Scripture
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” — 1 John 4:18
Reflection
I was 17 years old when I was first confronted with abortion.
I was at work when my friend Rebekah* came into the shop looking distressed.
“Michelle, I missed my period. I think I’m pregnant.”
Shocked, I didn’t know how to respond.
Then she said, “I’m going to have to get an abortion.”
Without thinking, I burst into tears.
“You can’t do that,” I said. “It’s a life.”
Rebekah looked at me, confused and frustrated, and tried to convince me that having a baby would ruin her life. As much as I listened to her fears, I couldn’t stop thinking about the possibility that there was already a little life growing inside her — a tiny body already beginning to form — and that this baby’s life was in danger.
Fear had lied to Rebekah.
Fear told her she wasn’t capable. Fear told her a child would ruin her future. Fear drowned out reason.
Rebekah was my closest friend at school. She was kind, thoughtful, intelligent and well-liked. But she wasn’t a Christian. She believed everything depended on her. There was no one else to trust. No one to catch her if she fell. That belief sent her spiralling.
For a long time, I thought selfishness was the root of abortion. But I’ve come to believe that behind selfishness often lies fear.
Selfishness grows from complete dependence on self. I must have everything I need to build the life I want. Yet anyone who has placed their security in themselves knows how fragile that foundation is. We are fickle, limited and weak. Security built on self is unstable, and instability breeds fear.
Fear blinds us to what is real and true.
The real truth is that, however tiny an embryo may be, it is a human life.
And the deeper truth is that the path to blessing and fulfilment is found in loving God and loving our neighbour as ourselves.
If fear is at the root of abortion, then our response must be more than argument alone. We pray against the spirit of fear, and we challenge the fearful mindset by showing our culture that true meaning and security are found in following God and living out his command to love.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you and I are not ruled by fear. We are ruled by love.
And love produces a sound mind.
Love enables us to think clearly, discern wisely, forgive freely, surrender irrational fears, and lead our families and others without carrying unnecessary burdens. Love brings clarity.
Fear, on the other hand, clouds judgement. It weighs heavily on our emotions, steals our sleep, affects our health, damages our relationships, and leaves us either paralysed or relentlessly striving — yet never at peace.
As we pray for the men and women facing the temptation of abortion, bound by the stronghold of fear, may we also examine our own hearts.
Where are we being driven by fear?
And where do we need to allow the perfect love of God to drive that fear out?
* Name has been changed to respect privacy.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you that it’s not by my own power and might that I can trust and love you. Thank you that it is a work of your Holy Spirit in my heart.
I repent of allowing fear to enter in my heart, when I know the truth, that your love casts out fear. I decide today, to trust you again, because I know you are faithful.
I also pray for the men and women in our nation controlled by fear. May they find peace in you, their creator. And may their hearts be softened to the truth, that babies in the womb are living human beings. May mothers love the baby within their womb and may that love overcome fear. May fathers also love their sons and daughters even before they are born and place value on their lives.
We commit this to you.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Special Invite from Michelle: ACL Prayer Meeting, 13 August
I warmly invite you to join with Christians across the nation for our inaugural prayer gathering, “For Such a Time as This”, on Thursday 13 August at 7:30pm AEST. On this night we will commit one-hour to praying over the plight of children in the womb.
The time is now. The Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2026 is scheduled to be introduced into the House of Representatives on Monday 17 August. The bill acknowledges the human rights of babies who survive abortions, and to mandate their care and protection, even if the only thing that can be done is alleviate their pain or discomfort before death.
Monday 17 August is also the day of our Parliament House Babies Booties display — please come to Canberra if you can.
Given that this bill will be raised in parliament, the issue will be exposed to the nation. And so, we need to pray that eyes will be opened, and that hearts will be moved.
On this link you will find information about the “For Such a Time as This” prayer webinar as well as promotional material. Please circulate this to your community.
Author Bio
Michelle Pearce has been the CEO of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) since 2023. ACL strategically lobbies law and policymakers around Australia to ensure that Christian values influence the way Australians are governed and conduct business. As a dynamic leader and speaker, she is passionate about changing culture and transforming society through the truth of the gospel.
Prayer Points for Babies Born Alive Left to Die 2026
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The Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2026 to pass federal parliament. (Micah 6:7–8)
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A change of hearts and minds towards LIFE across the nation. (Psalm 139:13–16)
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Many to see the Baby Booties display on Parliament House’s lawns and many churches to be inspired to show the Born Alive Left to Die film. (Hebrews 4:16)
Sign up to receive daily devotions during these ten days of prayer and fasting in your inbox (and find extra info) here.
Join Us for Our Nightly Zoom Prayer Call:
DATES: From Monday, 10 August to Wednesday, 19 August
TIME: 8 pm AEST; 7:30 pm ACST; 6 pm AWST
ZOOM URL LINK: zoom.us/j/776881184
Join Us for the ACL “For Such a Time as This” Zoom Prayer Call for LIFE:
DATE: Thursday, 13 August 2026
TIME: 7:30 pm AEST; 7 pm ACST; 5:30 pm AWST
REGISTER: Here
Note: The Canberra Declaration will not hold our regular nightly Zoom prayer meeting on 13 August. Instead, in conjunction with the ACL and several other Christian organisations, we encourage everyone to join in this one-hour prayer meeting.
Daily devotions are brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.
Image via Adobe.
ODM Daily Commentary
Let’s be honest: abortion is driven by fear. Fear of inadequacy. Fear of the future. Fear of judgment. Fear of losing control. And fear, as the devotional reminds us, “blinds us to what is real and true.”
The article from Michelle Pearce, CEO of the Australian Christian Lobby, is the first of a series of devotions for the 10 Days of Prayer and Fasting for babies born alive and left to die. It is a powerful reflection on the root cause of abortion.
Pearce shares the story of her friend Rebekah, who was terrified of an unplanned pregnancy. Fear told her she wasn’t capable. Fear told her a child would ruin her future. Fear drowned out reason. And fear led her to consider abortion.
For a long time, Pearce thought selfishness was the root of abortion. But she came to believe that behind selfishness often lies fear. Selfishness grows from complete dependence on self. But security built on self is unstable, and instability breeds fear.
The real truth is that, however tiny an embryo may be, it is a human life. The deeper truth is that the path to blessing and fulfilment is found in loving God and loving our neighbour as ourselves. If fear is at the root of abortion, then our response must be more than argument. It must be prayer. It must be love.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are not ruled by fear. We are ruled by love. And love produces a sound mind. Love enables us to think clearly, discern wisely, forgive freely, and surrender irrational fears.
The devotion calls us to examine our own hearts. Where are we being driven by fear? And where do we need to allow the perfect love of God to drive that fear out?
The prayer is a powerful plea for repentance and intercession. It repents of allowing fear to enter the heart. It prays for men and women controlled by fear. It prays for softened hearts and awakened consciences.
The devotion also promotes the “For Such a Time as This” prayer gathering on 13 August and the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2026, which is scheduled to be introduced on 17 August.
So here is the challenge: join the prayer campaign. Examine your own heart. Confess fear. Receive love. And pray for a nation that is killing its children out of fear.
Perfect love drives out fear. And perfect love is the answer to abortion.
Keywords: Day 1, Freedom from Fear, abortion, root of abortion, fear, perfect love, 1 John 4:18, Michelle Pearce, Australian Christian Lobby, ACL, 10 Days of Prayer, Babies Born Alive, Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill, prayer, repentance, love, sound mind, Holy Spirit, Rebekah, testimony, Canberra Declaration, For Such a Time as This, Zoom prayer, Baby Booties, Parliament House, pro-life, Psalm 139, Micah 6, Hebrews 4
