
Photo by Starting Line staff
Gov. Kim Reynolds celebrated early signs the US Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v Wade at the National Day of Prayer celebration at the Iowa State Capitol on Thursday.
“This week a glimmer of light broke through the darkness in the form of an early indication that the court is prepared to undo its fatal mistake,” she said.
Reynolds said because the decision isn’t final yet, the justices need people’s prayers now more than ever, which makes the National Day of Prayer more important than ever.
“It’s a reminder that we need in the dark when we’re afraid and desperate to find the light,” she said. “That is the position that our country found itself in 50 years ago when the United States Supreme Court decided in Roe v Wade that our Constitution prevents states like Iowa from protecting the unborn human life.”
[inline-ad id=”1″]
This year marks the 71st National Day of Prayer. The theme is “Exalt the Lord who has established us,” taken from Colossians 2:6-7.
Before speaking, Reynolds was introduced by Bob Vander Plaats of the Family Leader, a conservative, Christian political organization. He called for Reynolds to be strong and for the faith community to help shield her from attacks.
“I pray that all of us would commit today that we lift up her arms as we encourage her to be strong and bold and courageous,” he said.
Vander Plaats invoked 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 which calls for people to be on their guard, to stand firm, be courageous and strong, and to do everything in love.
“We give you thanks, Lord, because we know you appoint leaders,” he said during his prayer. “And we give thanks today for Gov. Kim Reynolds.”
[inline-ad id=”2″]
Several other state officials rose to pray for various subjects.
Attorney General Tom Miller prayed for government and world peace. Kelly Garcia, director of the Iowa Department of Human Services, prayed for those in need and various pastors stood to pray for Iowa’s churches.
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand said a prayer for families, including single-parent families, foster families, refugee and immigrant families, inter-racial families and families with LGBTQ parents.
In her prayer, Reynolds prayed primarily for Iowa and its future.
“Above all, we pray for an Iowa that blesses those who live here, welcomes those who visit and remains a place where truth, justice, and righteousness reign,” she said.
Nikoel Hytrek
5/5/22
Iowa Starting Line is part of an independent news network and focuses on how state and national decisions impact Iowans’ daily lives. We rely on your financial support to keep our stories free for all to read. You can contribute to us here. Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
[inline-ad id=”0″]
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Iowans and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Iowa Starting Line has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Iowan families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.


Iowa Republicans make outlawing gay marriage key 2024 campaign priority
Iowa Republicans have made outlawing gay marriage a key goal in their 2024 party platform. During the Iowa GOP’s 2024 state convention on Saturday,...

Department of Justice says Iowa immigration law violates US Constitution
If Iowa doesn’t suspend the enforcement of its new immigration law by May 7, the state could face a federal lawsuit, according to the Des Moines...

Rushing: Iowa State president said the quiet part out loud
I want to thank Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen for doing us all a favor by finally saying the quiet part out loud: all the...

Iowa sets aside almost $180 million for year two of voucher program
Iowa has committed nearly $180 million in taxpayer funds to support private school tuition in the 2024-25 school year, which is almost $50 million...

Kalbach: Immediate action needed on corporate ag pollution
Iowa agriculture has undergone substantial changes over the past 40 years. We see it all around us. Rather than crops and livestock being raised on...

VIDEO: Jochum calls Gov. Reynolds’ summer meal program a ‘hunger game’
Iowa Gov. Reynolds announced a competitive $900,000 grant program to feed Iowa children over the summer, months after she declined $29 million in...