Several pro-life and religious groups have come together under a coalition called 'Texas Loves Life,' and are praying for the Supreme Court hearings on pro-life law.
The website for Bound4LIFE announces: "A coalition of pro-life and faith-based groups - including Bound4LIFE International, The Justice Foundation, Texas Values, The Heidi Group, Students for Life of America, Texas Apostolic Prayer Network, Christ for the Nations Institute, World Prayer Center -DFW, David's Tend DC and United Cry - we believe every life is worth protecting. #TXLovesLife"
The website says that the various organizations are "working together under the banner Texas Loves Life," and their purpose is to "mobilize ongoing prayer for life and justice to be upheld at the U.S. Supreme Court."
The 'Texas Loves Life' started its 40-day campaign to pray in front of Supreme Court from February 10 to March 20.
"We're not doing it for press conferences, lobbying or other common reasons. The coalition Texas Loves Life exists solely to pray for the Supreme Court," said Matt Lockett, the executive director of Bound4LIFE International, writing for The Christian Post.
The prayers are being held in collaboration with another campaign '40 Days for Life', which takes place in 273 cities around the world, with people praying peacefully outside abortion centers and courthouses.
The pro-life bill, also known as HB 2, was first enacted in Texas in July, 2013, which was subsequently challenged by pro-choice groups, and is now in the Supreme Court as the Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt case.
The first hearing on the case is scheduled for March 2, when oral arguments will be presented before a panel of nine judges in Supreme Court. The final ruling on the Texas pro-life law is expected by the end of June.
HB 2 has saved thousands of lives since its introduction in the state, said Carol Everett, founder of The Heidi Group, in a recorded conference call, now available online.
"We recently surveyed our network of 183 life-affirming pregnancy centers in Texas, who reported increases as high as 300 percent of women using our ultrasound and other services," she said. "Working from that detailed survey, we estimate at least 40,000 lives have been saved in Texas since HB 2 was enacted in 2013."
Abortion supporters have insisted that two provisions of HB 2 causes an "undue burden" on women who want abortions.
The provisions include minimum ambulatory surgical standards and safety measures, according to Lockett. Also, the HB 2 necessitates admitting privileges to nearby hospitals for women undergoing abortions.
"In a botched abortion, a woman ends up needing to quickly go to an emergency room - which is why these abortion centers need doorways and hallways large enough for a gurney. The woman also needs continuity of care once in the hospital, rather than an abortionist who is nowhere to be found," Allan Parker of The Justice Foundation said after interviewing 3,000 post-abortive women.
"All states currently recognize a right to access an abortion center for its services; but does that access mean states cannot enact health and safety standards?" Lockett posed in his article.
