By Maggie Hendrick
Have you ever blurted out a vague platitude and instantly thought, “Why did I say that?” I don’t even believe that! “You do you girl!” or “Good luck on your presentation today!” They are meant to be encouraging, yet are logically inconsistent within the Christian worldview. I remember the light bulb moment I had at a close friend’s baby shower. I told her, “You’re going to be such a great mom!” The second it came out of my mouth, I knew it was off. She is a mom now! If life begins at conception, so does motherhood.
As I have studied the Christian worldview, the power of language has become clear. This article is not meant to be hypercritical or nitpicky. You haven’t committed a grave sin in wishing your co-worker “good luck.” However, I do want us to recognize the power of our words and how we can positively influence our culture by aligning our daily language and actions with our pro-life worldview.
Practical Ways to Adopt Consistent, Life-Affirming Language and Actions
By intentionally using precise and truthful language, Christians can shift the cultural narrative around life and motherhood. Here are a few practical ways we can be both encouraging and truthful:
Say “baby” and “mama” until you’re blue in the face
Terms like “expectant mother” are simply inaccurate, and words like “fetus” feel impersonal and detached. Instead of listing everything that doesn’t work, just stick with “baby” and “mom” in the present tense.
Speak positively about your own children and family life.
This normalizes and celebrates parenthood. I’d rather be accused of talking too much about how much I adore being a wife and mother than have others think children are annoying because they only hear parents vent about the struggles. This isn’t about being fake—it’s about displaying the biblical truth that children are a blessing, not a burden, as the world often portrays them (Psalm 127:3–5).
Educate others by sharing basic embryology with your children and posting positive life stories on social media.
Instead of announcing a pregnancy by saying, “My baby at 12 weeks is the size of a plum,” show pictures and videos of your baby bouncing around and hiccupping, with all their essential organs already formed.1 The world hides behind euphemisms. When we visibly share the truth about embryology and abortion, we expose the darkness and bring the beauty of God’s creation into the light.
Don’t get distracted or silenced by the world.
Many will accuse Christians of being unloving or inconsistent for not adopting every child in foster care, not supporting universal healthcare, or opposing certain gun restrictions. You name it. The world loves to say, “You can’t be pro-life and [fill in the blank].” Don’t be distracted by red herrings or ad hominem attacks from those with opposing worldviews. These are often tactics meant to silence or shame us. Give it to the Lord, move on, and use your time wisely (Colossians 4:5).
Responding in Crisis Situations: A Practical Framework
You may never find yourself outside an abortion facility, but at some point, an unwed family member, an atheist coworker, or even a close friend from church may confide in you that she’s pregnant—often while in shock or terror. How we respond in those moments is crucial. Don’t be caught off guard. The best time to prepare is now.
Congratulate her.
The world has convinced her that a baby will ruin her life. Even if she feels unhappy about the pregnancy, hearing someone else view her child as a blessing can shift the entire narrative. If she shares that she’s disappointed, saying “I’m so sorry” only reinforces the negative view of children. Change the narrative! Even in the hardest circumstances, Scripture affirms the sanctity of every life and the blessing that children are. We are celebrating the child, not the circumstances or sin that led to the child.
De-escalate.
In a crisis, when we feel frantic, we’re more likely to make rash decisions. Abortion is not a rash decision that can be undone. That’s why it’s so important to comfort your friend and remind her that she has time. There’s no need to pressure her to decide anything right away. She may just tell you what you want to hear to ease the tension. If she isn’t heading to an abortion facility that moment, don’t add to her stress. When someone confides in you, and you respond positively and calmly, they will find comfort in walking through this season with you, which will set you up nicely for the following steps.
Advocate for her.
A truly pro-life worldview values both the mother and the baby. We use life-affirming language to honor the child without pitting mother against baby, and we also communicate genuine love and care for the mom. The world offers fake compassion that preys on vulnerable women. We must advocate for her well-being by helping her get accurate information.
Offer to take her to a pregnancy resource center for a free ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy, gestational age, and location.2 Warn her about anyone trying to profit off her vulnerability. Help her gather real information before she pays anyone or makes a final decision.
This isn’t a trick—genuine care makes her far more likely to choose a pregnancy resource center over an abortion clinic. And the good news is that roughly 80% of abortion-minded women choose life after seeing their ultrasound.3
Truth is on our side, so when pregnant moms see their baby on an ultrasound, the truth comes to light.
Offer practical help.
This should go without saying, but an obvious way to live out our worldview is to provide tangible support. We can offer to give rides, bring meals, send daily “how are you doing today, mama?” texts, give childcare, offer resources, and so much more. Be close to them and help carry their burdens (Galatians 6:2). We have all heard that actions speak louder than words, but our positive actions make others want to listen to what we say. They will know you care because you say it and show it.
Plead compassionately:
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to plead, do so while affirming her motherly qualities. An example of this is sending her the abortion procedure videos and telling her, “You are such a kind and loving person; I can’t imagine you doing this to your child.”4
Aggression pushes people away. We can still share hard truths without tearing them down.
Pleading compassionately is sometimes necessary, and it takes discernment to know when to transition from information gathering and mentoring to pleading. However, whenever you’ve reached the pleading stage, don’t stop. I have walked along a mom for weeks to have her tell me, “I’m getting an abortion and I’m at peace with my decision.” Because she had not had the abortion yet, my pleas and prayers continued. Within a week, she chose life and shared how excited she was.
Your compassionate pleading can save a life even in seemingly helpless situations (Proverbs 24:11).
The Importance of Prayer
Living out a logically consistent and effective pro-life worldview is dependent on prayer. God uses us to speak truth to others and to be his hands and feet. We need his wisdom and guidance throughout every unique circumstance. And even if we say everything perfectly (we won’t) and do everything right (we won’t), we can never change hearts. As we passionately plead with others, we plead with God to change hearts.
Living Consistently Amid Opposition
Living out a pro-life worldview can come at a cost. You may pour yourself into a child’s life only to see the mother choose abortion after you’ve done everything you felt you could. You may get cursed out online or lose friendships. Yet when Christians live out their convictions biblically, God will use it and grow you through it.
To my brothers and sisters in Christ: Don’t grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9). I promise you—when you hold a baby who is alive today because you advocated for them, it is all worth it. When you see that mom posting birthday pictures every year, completely gushing over her child, it is all worth it. Living out a logically consistent and effective pro-life worldview is worth it. When we remain steadfast in both our words and actions, we can help change the cultural narrative one conversation at a time.
Notes
- “12 Facts at 12 Weeks,” Charlotte Lozier Institute, April 25, 2023, https://lozierinstitute.org/12-facts-at-12-weeks/.
- Option Line Center Locator, accessed April 12, 2026, https://optionline.org/center-locator.
- “Ultrasound Influence on Abortion Decisions | Why It Matters,” Caring Network, accessed April 2, 2026, https://caringnetwork.org/care-outcomes/why-abortion-minded-women-choose-life-after-an-ultrasound/.
- “Abortion Procedures,” accessed April 12, 2026, https://www.liveaction.org/what-is-abortion.