The tradition of Sanctity of Life Sunday first started in 1984, when President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating January 22 as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Churches around the United States use the day, the third Sunday in January, to celebrate God’s gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, and commit themselves to protecting human life at every stage.

This year, Sanctity of Life Sunday will be observed by Southern Baptist churches on January 19. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) has designed a free, downloadable bulletin insert and prayer guide to help churches observe this special Sunday.