“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). | | |
August is National Make-a-Will Month
The legacy you leave is more than a gift.
It is a lasting expression of your faith.
Your Faith. Your Values. Your Legacy.
Throughout your life, your generosity and faithfulness have reflected the things that matter most to you. The ministries you support, the lives you impact, and the values you cherish are all part of the legacy you are building.
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As you consider the legacy you want to leave for others, we encourage you to explore how including Lutherans For Life in your will or estate plans can be a meaningful way to continue equipping others to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life.
A planned gift allows your commitment and support for Lutherans For Life to continue making an impact beyond your lifetime. It provides an opportunity to care for those you love while helping ensure that individuals, families, churches, and communities continue receiving Christ-centered education, compassionate care, and encouragement to uphold the God-given value of every human life.
Find out more: A Legacy That Lasts.
| | Join Word of Hope for an online nine-week class this Fall! In this Christ-centered course, adapted from dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), you will learn skills that will help you develop a non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts and emotions. A Tuesday evening class and a Wednesday afternoon class will be available beginning in early September. There are only eight places available for each class, so sign up soon through this registration link. | |
Redeeming Grace Retreat | Wildwood Hills Ranch | St. Charles, Iowa | October 1 - We invite you to join us for the Redeeming Grace Retreat, which offers a safe, confidential, and Christ-centered space for women to process their abortion experience, find healing, and receive the comfort of God's forgiveness. Through guided sessions, worship, reflection, and supportive community, participants gain renewed hope, restored identity, and tools to continue their healing journey. Thanks to our generous donors, the only attendance cost is $75, and there is travel assistance available.
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Being right about life issues isn't enough.
Anyone can hold a sign, but what happens when someone you love doesn't agree with you? What happens when the conversation gets complicated by trauma, relationship, and real life? What happens when the right answer isn't the same thing as a helpful one?
Defending, Defending Life is a young adult connection event presented by HT Beyond and YA For Life. It's for those who want to do more than win arguments and those who want to be equipped to have conversations rooted in the Gospel and the value we each have in Christ.
Join us at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, October 23-25, 2026, for a weekend of worshiping, learning, and spending time together as we join under the cross of Christ to defend life. Open to young adults ages 18-30, registration is NOW OPEN!
Register before August 1st, to receive a $25 discount!
Visit YAForLife.org to learn more about Defending, Defending Life! Questions? Email Cori Meier, cori@y4life.org.
Register for Defending, Defending Life
Defending, Defending Life FAQ's and Event Info
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The Power and Comfort of “God Says …”
by Dr. Ryan MacPherson
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The childhood game Simon Says may have a hidden theological lesson. In this game, one child gets to tell other children to touch their noses or stand on one foot or clap their hands. If the leader precedes a command with the words “Simon says” then the other children should follow his lead; if he omits “Simon says” they are supposed to remain motionless until the next “Simon says” command. If one of the children moves anyway, then that child loses the round. The leader passes judgment: “I didn’t say ‘Simon says,’ so you are out!”
Where’s the theology in that? In the Bible, we discover that God’s Word is efficacious. Whatever God says will happen, does happen. In the beginning, God said, “Let there be …” and everything in the universe thereby was created (Genesis 1). Jesus said to His disciples, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them” (John 20:23). To this very day, when Christ’s words of absolution are spoken to us by our pastor, our sins are forgiven before God in heaven (Small Catechism).
Simply put: whatever God says, truly is.
Read more ...
| | This article is from the summer 2026 edition of LifeDate. | | | | |
LifeDate is Lutherans For Life’s quarterly journal of news and commentary offering a biblical Law/Gospel perspective on life issues, such as abortion, post abortion, adoption, end of life, bioethics, creation, family life, worldview and culture, and more.
Our fall 2026 theme: Preach Life
| | Check out our Store page today! | | Check out our resources at CPH! | | |
You may also order by calling Concordia Publishing House at 800.325.3040.
If you have any questions about LFL resources, you are more than welcome to contact Lutherans For Life for more information: 888.364.LIFE (5433) or info@lutheransforlife.org.
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Life Quotes and Life Thoughts in the Church Year help your congregation share the For Life message all year long. You can access Life Quotes or Life Thoughts anytime at the links above.
A Life Quote for Sunday, August 30: “Use the biological reality of the word ‘abortion’ to begin discussion to share that message with your unbelieving neighbor. Do so with boldness, but gentleness, please! Use the eternal reality of the word ‘abortion’ to share that message with your fellow believers. Speak the truth in love, please!” Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb, former Executive Director of Lutherans For Life
(Three Year Lectionary) A Life Thought in the Church Year for August 30 – Pentecost 14: At the end of earthly life, we might cry out: “Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?” (Jeremiah 15:18). Don’t take your life, or anyone else’s, into your own hands. Receive St. Paul’s encouragement for all your for-life conversations: “Love one another with brotherly affection … associate with the lowly … live peaceably with all … do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:9-21). Even though many of us may “taste death” before the Son of Man returns, we set our minds on the things of God—life! —and not the things of man (Matthew 16:23, 28).
(One Year Lectionary) A Life Thought in the Church Year for August 30 – Trinity 13: Jesus exemplifies the Good Samaritan, bearing the burden of sin and pouring out the healing balm of His blood for all people, even those who sought His death (Luke 10:33-34). Through His Gospel, which forgives all transgressions and covers all sins (Psalm 32:1), we learn that our mercy is to extend to every neighbor whom God places in our path, regardless of how doing so might affect our way, and we are empowered to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).
| | Lutheran Youth to Attend Y4Life Conference in D.C. | |
We are anticipating over 500 youth, young adults, and adult chaperones at the 2027 Y4Life in Washington, D.C. conference. Participants will learn from leaders in the pro-life movement and voices for life from within the Lutheran church. Youth and leaders who attend will have opportunities to learn, experience for-life work, and network with other life-minded youth. High school and college youth will return to their schools and communities equipped and empowered to be Gospel-motivated voices for life.
As in years past, this conference will be held for FREE to all youth who attend. This is where YOU come in!
After the success of our “Keep D.C. Free” fundraising campaign last year, we’ve decided to bring it back with a new twist – a matching fund campaign!
Thanks to generous donors, we are able to match ALL donations up to $41,000! That’s right – every dollar you give becomes two!
We have set an ambitious goal of raising $82,000 by September 1. All funds raised will cover 2027 Y4Life in Washington, D.C. conference expenses, administrative fees, and additional programming for Y4Life.
Will you help us reach our goal of $82,000 to equip and empower these 4 LIFE voices? Click here to make your tax-deductible gift.
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Request an LFL speaker for your event!
Lutherans For Life will work with you to help meet your needs for a speaker or preacher at a worship service, Bible study, circuit pastors’ forum, rally, conference, convention, public or parochial school, college/university, workshop/seminar, or just about any other event at your congregation.
An LFL speaker will help bring life issue awareness and education to your local Lutheran congregation or church sponsored community event, even in smaller venues and rural areas.
With an LFL speaker, your event will be equipping many others to be “Gospel-motivated voices For Life” in your community.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry. LFL is pleased to offer consultation with a staff member to assist you with identifying needs and brainstorming solutions for your exciting event. Begin your planning now by contacting Lutherans For Life at info@lutheransforlife.org or 515-382-2077.
More Request a Speaker Info
| | Issues, Etc. is a ten-hour weekly syndicated radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio. The program features expert guests, expansive topics, while extolling Christ and is hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken. Many life issues are discussed from a confessional Lutheran perspective. | | Use the Lutherans For Life app to become a
Gospel-motivated voice For Life! | | |
Life News is a monthly bulletin insert with life issue news, great quotes, and more.
Life News is a great way to keep your church informed on life issues all year long!
Life News is available as a free, downloadable, reproducible, PDF.
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Verba Vitae is committed to bringing the classical Christian tradition into conversation with life issues now confronting us. Modeling the reasoned logos of the theological tradition, Verba Vitae explores the truth-claims made by thinkers and examines the grounds upon which these assertions are made.
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| | VOLUNTEER RELATIONS is dedicated to serving Life Advocates, Life Teams, Life Chapters, State Federations, pastors, and congregations. They assist them in starting and maintaining a strong, healthy, and vibrant life ministry within their congregations and communities. Our team is here to share ideas, to mentor, and to walk alongside you as a life ministry consultant and partner. | | | | You Can Help Equip Gospel-motivated voices For Life! | |
We really do need your support! To help equip Gospel-motivated voices For Life right now through a secure online gift click DONATE.
You can also send your check to:
Lutherans For Life
1101 5th Street
Nevada, IA 50201-1816
Lutherans For Life is a 501(c)(3) ministry, and contributions are deductible as a charitable donation.
Please keep Lutherans For Life in your prayers.
"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).
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Real Estate for Life makes it easy for you to help Lutherans For Life by using funds a real estate company has already earmarked for commission fees at no extra cost to you.
Click here to learn how it works.
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Our Mission ...
Equipping Lutherans and their neighbors to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life.
Our Vision ...
Every Lutheran, both individually and in community, upholding the God-given value of human life and influencing society to do the same.
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Lutherans For Life has, since 1979, upheld the value of life affirmed by the resurrected Christ. We educate congregations on life issues with a Gospel perspective, equipping Lutherans and their neighbors to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life.
Lutherans For Life also offers help, healing, and forgiveness for anyone who bears the burden of overwhelming guilt through our 24-hour Word of Hope hotline (888-217-8679). This free service is available to men, women, and youths for information, referrals, and Scripture-based spiritual care to address life issues such as surprise pregnancy, abortion recovery, suicide, doubting salvation, and physician-assisted suicide.
Life Teams, Life Chapters, and Life Advocates are developed in congregations and communities—in collaboration with our Volunteer Relations team—to affirm life and participate in motivating others For Life through the Gospel.
Lutherans For Life also serves youth through its Y4Life program! Specifically focused on helping high school and college youth become Gospel-motivated voices For Life, Y4Life offers a variety of educational resources, service projects, and interactive, in-person opportunities that teach youth how to uphold the lives of others.
Lutherans For Life offers a wide variety of print and online resources—including our quarterly journal, LifeDate.
| | Lutherans For Life National Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT, Monday-Friday (subject to staff availability) | | | | |
