What Is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday; and Why Does it Matter?

Each January, churches across the United States pause to observe Sanctity of Human Life Sunday—a day set aside to remember the value of every human life and to reflect on our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us.

But where did this day come from, and why does it still matter today?

When and Why It Started

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is traditionally observed on the third Sunday of January, near the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision on January 22, 1973. That ruling legalized abortion nationwide and marked a turning point in American history.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan officially proclaimed the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day, calling on Americans to recognize the dignity and worth of every human life. His proclamation emphasized that human life is sacred, created by God, and deserving of legal protection and compassionate care.

Since then, churches have used this Sunday as a time to teach biblical truth about life, pray for healing, remember the unborn, and renew their commitment to love both mothers and their children.

Significant Milestones Over the Years

The pro-life movement has seen many defining moments:

• 1973: Roe v. Wade legalizes abortion nationwide.

• 1974: The first March for Life is held in Washington, D.C.

• 1984: Sanctity of Human Life Day is officially proclaimed.

• 2003: The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act becomes law.

• 2022: The Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision overturns Roe v. Wade, returning abortion policy to the states.

Each milestone reflects a growing recognition that the fight for life is not only legal—it is deeply spiritual, cultural, and relational.

What It Means Today

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is no longer only about abortion laws. It’s about building a culture where every life is valued—from the unborn child to the overwhelmed mother, from the abandoned father to the post-abortion wounded heart.

At Love The Nations, this day reflects our daily mission.

We meet women facing unplanned pregnancies and remind them that their lives matter—and so do their babies’ lives. We provide pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, education, and long-term support. We walk with families not just until birth, but well into parenting. And we offer healing for those carrying the pain of past abortion decisions.

Sanctity of life is not just a belief. It’s a commitment to show up with compassion, truth, and tangible help.

A Call to Action

This Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, we invite churches and individuals to go beyond remembrance and into action:

• Pray for women facing unexpected pregnancies

• Support a local pregnancy center

• Speak with compassion about the value of life

• Offer practical help to families in need

Because every life is created with purpose, loved by God, and worthy of protection.

And that truth is worth standing for— every day.