Explainer: Alcohol abuse and drug overdoses rose during the COVID-19 pandemic

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every family in America. Some are still dealing with the aftermath of the disease. But the problem of substance abuse exacerbated by the pandemic might be a problem that lasts longer than the coronavirus.

Are you ready for the Supreme Court decision on abortion?

Right now, the Supreme Court is considering the most important abortion case in a generation: Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. As we prepare for the ruling in this case, we want to be faithful to pray.

This free Dobbs prayer guide contains a list of 48 specific prayer requests to guide you, your family, and your church in your prayers over the coming weeks and months.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

This week, President Biden signed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund the government through Sept. 30. This bill rightly preserved the Hyde amendment and other long-standing pro-life riders that protect preborn lives and the consciences of many Americans.

ERLC Director of Public Policy Chelsea Sobolik said, “Every person is made in the image of God, and the United States has a responsibility to reflect that truth in its laws.” The ERLC advocated extensively for the inclusion of these pro-life provisions in this year’s spending bill and will continue that advocacy as the appropriations process for fiscal year 2023 begins soon.

You can read more about the spending bill and the ERLC's work to protect pro-life riders here.

Featured Podcasts

On this week's episode of the ERLC Podcast, Jill and Lindsay discuss the number of Ukrainian refugees increasing to 3.1 million and President Zelenskyy’s address to Congress. They also talk about substance abuse within the church, the call to foster care, and why cohabitation is a bad idea. In addition, Lindsay interviews Jill, a pastor’s wife, about church, COVID, and the importance of pregnancy resource centers.

From The Public Square

Idaho Is First State to Pass Abortion Ban Based on Texas’ Law
New York Times

The bill prohibits abortions after about six weeks, and allows family members of a preborn child to sue abortion providers.

US Christian Leaders Ask Kirill to Speak out, ‘Reconsider’ Comments on Ukraine
ChurchLeaders

More than 100 U.S. Christian leaders, including the leaders of multiple denominations, sent a letter to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church asking him to use his influence to help stop the invasion of Ukraine and “prayerfully reconsider the support you have given to this war.”

Legal Responses Continue To Texas Ban On Gender Transition For Minors
Religion Clause

Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to the head of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, instructing them to promptly investigate cases.

Texas Supreme Court further limits challenges to state's restrictive abortion law
CNN

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday issued a ruling that effectively foreclosed the last avenue abortion clinics had to challenge the state's six-week limit on abortions in their current federal litigation.

What You Need to Read

Sam Rainer with How you can help the overlooked children affected by substance abuse: Foster care and the church

Foster children are one of the most overlooked and underserved groups of people in our nation. Most communities struggle to find placements for these children. Local churches in the United States have more than enough homes to solve the problem, but few Christian families are pursuing fostering. But what happens when people in your congregation start fostering children?

Elizabeth Bristow with What if a church leader confesses a problem with substance abuse? An interview about addiction and the hope of restoration

The stress of pandemic living seemed to exacerbate and bring to light several struggles common in our society — and even within the church. While some like loneliness were to be expected, the issue of substance abuse may have been a bit more surprising to some, especially because it’s happening among church leaders.

Champ Thornton with Why cohabitation isn’t good preparation for marriage

Cohabitation is not like marriage. They are different in essential nature. When a couple live together, there’s a shared mailing address, a shared bed, shared utility bills, shared furniture, and shared groceries. But there’s not shared commitment. And without this commitment, you’ll have shared living arrangements but no true analog, or preparation, for marriage.