For You From The Word
We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Colossians 1:9)
For You To Think About
Allie shook her head at her new boyfriend. “No,” she said. “I won’t have sex.”
Allie is not alone. A recent study by The Guttmacher Institute reports that American teenagers are getting pregnant less. About ¼ of the decline is attributed to choices for abstinence, like Allie’s. Three-quarters of the decline is attributed to contraceptive use.
The U.S. teen pregnancy rate is the lowest it’s been in 40 years.
- Teen pregnancy rate in 1990: 116.9 pregnancies per 1,000 (the peak year)
- Teen pregnancy rate in 2008: 67.8 pregnancies per 1,000 (the lowest rate since 1972)
The U.S. abortion rate has plummeted 59% over the last 20 years.
- Teen abortions in 1988: 43.5 abortions per 1,000
- Teen abortions in 2008: 17.8 per 1,000
The U.S. teen birthrate has declined by more than a third during the last two decades.
- Teen birth rate in 1991: 61.8 births per thousand
- Teen birth rate in 2008: 40.2 births per thousand
God tells us to “not stop praying and asking God to fill” others with wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 1:9). When we encourage, inform, pray for, and support teens like Allie, we can help equip them to make good choices.
For You To Pray
Loving Father,
Help teenagers make good choices about intimacy – choices that honor You. Show me how I can support and encourage a teenager in that way.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.