On Wednesday, President Bush signed into law a ban on partial-birth abortion, the ghastly procedure wherein abortionists partially deliver an unborn baby so that its tiny head can be punctured. It is a murderous procedure, any way you look at it.

I thank God that, after the ban passed in the House and Senate, President Bush proudly signed onto the legislation - something his predecessor was unwilling to do.

However, almost before the ink had dried on the president's signature, four doctors convinced a federal judge in Nebraska to block the law through a temporary restraining order. The judge's ruling applies only to the four doctors (and their staffs). But federal judges in New York and San Francisco will soon hear similar arguments in challenges brought by Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union.

These groups are fighting to defend a procedure that U.S. Justice Department attorney Anthony Coppolino called "abhorrent and useless."

It is readily apparent that the unfeeling adversaries of life in our nation will fight to the end to protect their sacred right to kill innocent, unborn lives. They have escorted in the culture of death in our society and they will bitterly brawl to preserve it.

However, I can report to you that President Bush is just as adamant about fighting to defend the rights of unborn children who cannot defend themselves against this horrifying procedure.

In a private meeting with President Bush following the signing ceremony in the Ronald Reagan Building on Wednesday, seven pro-life leaders and I had the privilege of meeting with President Bush in an Oval Office gathering.

In this meeting, President Bush gallantly declared that his administration would put all of its resources behind the partial-birth abortion ban in the courtroom.

Attending the meeting were Janet Parshall, author and host of the nationally syndicated radio broadcast "Janet Parshall's America," Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) President Dr. Jack Graham, former SBC President Dr. Adrian Rogers, American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, National Religious Broadcasters President Frank Wright, National Association of Evangelicals President Ted Haggard, and President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Dr. Richard Land.

After having a wonderful time of fellowship with President Bush, the president asked if we could all join hands and pray that God will bless our efforts to preserve life in our land.

What an astounding moment this was for me personally. Standing there in the Oval Office I felt suddenly humbled to be in the presence of a man - our president - who takes his faith very seriously and who seeks the prayers of his friends as he leads our nation.

Following the prayer, I told President Bush the people in the room represent about 200,000 pastors and 80 million believers nationwide who consider him not only to be our president but also a man of God.

He humbly turned to me and replied, "I'll try to live up to it."

One of the men in the meeting, Jay Sekulow, will be on the cutting edge of defending the constitutionality of the partial-birth abortion ban.

He said, "The law is constitutionally sound and we're hopeful it will survive the legal challenges which are already underway. We will work aggressively to assist the U.S. Department of Justice in defending this law as it makes its way through the courts and ultimately to the Supreme Court."

Please join me in praying for Jay and his team, the Justice Department attorneys and the many other attorneys who will be defending the partial-birth abortion ban. Let us also continue to keep President Bush at the forefront of our prayers as he leads this important battle. This is an issue that certainly deserves our vigilant prayers.


A LOVING ALTERNATIVE TO ABORTION

In the meantime, a host of ministries across our nation continue to offer alternatives to abortion. Here in Lynchburg, Va. - site of my national ministry - we operate the Liberty Godparent Home ( http://www.godparent.org   )and the Family Life Services Adoption Agency. The home provides a beautiful habitat for young unwed mothers who want to preserve the lives of their unborn babies. These young ladies receive loving care and top-notch education and medical services - all at no charge to them.

When their baby is born, a girl has the option of returning home with her child or placing the baby for adoption with a Christian couple that has not been able to conceive. I have had the unique honor of actually placing little babies in the arms of several thankful couples and I can tell you that these are moments of indescribable beauty.

Right now, we are seeking Christian couples wishing to adopt a child. We are especially in search of African-American couples. Our toll-free number is: 1-888-760-5433.

Jerry Falwell
Jerry Falwell.com

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