LifeDate Spring 2026 – Stand Firm For Life
by Diane Albers, President of Lutherans For Life
I am an avid reader, often reading one or two books a week. It all started with my mama who got a library card for me when I was in second grade. And then there was the children’s librarian who was always ready with book suggestions. I was the kid who read all the stories in my reader the first day I got it! Even today, if I cannot find time to read, I get cranky!
As a teacher, I wanted my students to know the wonder of reading, how it can take you away to another time or place. I made sure to read aloud each day and tried to pick books that would intrigue them and make them want more. (My favorite “chapter book” to read to kindergartners was Jumanji. “Don’t stop, Mrs. A! What happens next?”)
Of course, I also knew that without being able to read well, many doors would be closed to my students. Without learning their ABCs, phonics rules, and grammar rules, they would not be successful readers, and life would be more difficult for them. They would also need to practice, practice, practice these skills so that they would be able to read the words and also comprehend their meaning.
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:13).
There can be an analogy drawn to learning the skills to read and comprehend the meaning of those words and learning to stand firm in the faith. In order to stand firm in the faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, is vital. In order to stand firm, you need to know in whom you have faith. You learn that in Scripture by reading it, by hearing God’s Word proclaimed by your pastor, by participating in Bible studies. Without all of this “practice,” it would be impossible to stand firm in what God says. Ephesians 6 goes on to list what you need to stand firm: the belt of truth around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes with the readiness that comes from peace, the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of Satan.
I think of my son, Justin, and everything he had to wear as an Army Ranger, not only to protect himself, but also to fight off the enemy. Standing firm is serious business to the Army—and even more important in God’s business! God expects you to be prepared to uphold His word, and if you are reading this, then you know that it is LFL’s mission to “equip Lutherans and their neighbors to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life.” Contact Michele Hartshorn, Director of Volunteer Relations, at mhartshorn@lutheransforlife.org, or any LFL staff or board member, or your LFL State Federation President to find out more about being an active member of Lutherans For Life. After all, “You’re in the Lord’s Army!”