# 9-12-2023 - Morocco Earthquake, Mexico’s Abortion Ban, & US Open Tennis Champs

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 12 Sep 2023, 15 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/ba130829-fcc2-4a32-a459-b4d7000f0340/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your Daily Christian news and beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s Good News at a Glance: • Morocco’s devastating earthquake kills 2,000 and counting. • Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of abortion rights. • Introducing your US Open tennis champions! Pray News is your number 1 source for the top conservative news given to you daily. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed. Perplexed,
[0:04] Speaker 1: yet not to despair. Pursued, yet not forsaken. Struck down,
[0:09] Speaker 1: yet not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4, 8-9 Dear Heavenly Father,
[0:15] Speaker 1: we acknowledge that we live in a world filled with
[0:17] Speaker 1: challenges and trials, moments that test our faith and spirit. Yet,
[0:22] Speaker 1: these verses remind us that through all hardships, you are
[0:25] Speaker 1: unwavering and you are a stronghold for us. We may
[0:29] Speaker 1: feel pressed, but we are not crushed. We may feel perplexed,
[0:32] Speaker 1: but not in despair because you are with us, always
[0:35] Speaker 1: upholding us. Grant us the grace to endure, the resilience
[0:40] Speaker 1: to bounce back, and the hope to see your light
[0:42] Speaker 1: even in the darkest of days. Help us carry this
[0:45] Speaker 1: treasure in jars of clay, the incomparable love and strength
[0:49] Speaker 1: that you provide. Thank you for never abandoning us and
[0:52] Speaker 1: for giving us a spirit that is not easily broken
[0:55] Speaker 1: because it is grounded in your eternal love and promise.
[0:58] Speaker 1: It's in the name of Jesus we pray, in the
[1:01] Speaker 1: name of our Rock and our Redeemer we pray. Amen.
[1:05] Speaker 1: Welcome to Pray News, where hope is our only bias.
[1:07] Speaker 1: Today's news at a glance, Morocco's devastating earthquake kills 2,000
[1:11] Speaker 1: and counting, Mexico's Supreme Court ruled in favor of abortion rights,
[1:16] Speaker 1: and introducing your U.S. Open Tennis champions. Jesus said that
[1:21] Speaker 1: in this world we would have trials. Tragedy, disagreement, and
[1:24] Speaker 1: persecution abound in this world. It's hostile, often motivated by greed,
[1:28] Speaker 1: and celebrates sin. However, Jesus also told us to take heart,
[1:32] Speaker 1: for he has overcome the world. Sometimes we mistakenly think
[1:36] Speaker 1: that following Jesus means we will no longer experience struggles.
[1:40] Speaker 1: But our faith is not in a favorable circumstance, but
[1:42] Speaker 1: in Jesus' power. Our faith is not in the fact
[1:45] Speaker 1: that we will always prevail, but that Christ is there
[1:48] Speaker 1: even when we stumble. For all those caught in tough
[1:52] Speaker 1: times this week, remember that Christ has overcome it all.
[1:55] Speaker 1: Even in the harshest of circumstances, we can prevail with Jesus.
[2:00] Speaker 1: We're glad you're here. We pray this news leaves you
[2:02] Speaker 1: informed and transformed. Before we dive into today's first story,
[2:06] Speaker 1: let's hear a word from these sponsors. Our first story
[2:09] Speaker 1: is tragic news out of Morocco. On a somber Friday night,
[2:12] Speaker 1: time seemed to freeze as a powerful earthquake shook the
[2:15] Speaker 1: high Atlas Mountains of Morocco, less than 50 miles away
[2:19] Speaker 1: from the ancient city of Marrakech. With a magnitude of 6.8,
[2:23] Speaker 1: the tremor left a devastating mark claiming more than 2,000
[2:27] Speaker 1: lives and injuring at least 2,050 others. The quake struck
[2:30] Speaker 1: at 11.11 p.m. when homes were full and hearts were
[2:33] Speaker 1: at ease. Instantly, tranquility gave way to panic, leading to
[2:37] Speaker 1: a frantic scramble to rescue trapped survivors. The struggle was
[2:41] Speaker 1: all the more intense for residents of remote and mountainous
[2:44] Speaker 1: regions where accessibility and rapid relief efforts posed a significant challenge.
[2:49] Speaker 1: As villagers siphoned through the bricks and mud searching for
[2:52] Speaker 1: their neighbors, The local healthcare system reached its capacity. Hospitals
[2:56] Speaker 1: were flooded with victims. Local hospitals had to reroute 60
[3:00] Speaker 1: critical cases to other facilities. Medical authorities urgently called for
[3:05] Speaker 1: blood donations, and a search and rescue team battled against
[3:08] Speaker 1: time to save lives. The quaking soil also rattled Marrakesh,
[3:12] Speaker 1: known for its labyrinth alleys, world heritage sites, and bustling
[3:16] Speaker 1: tourist economy. Even though the city escaped widespread damage, The
[3:21] Speaker 1: tragic event reminds us that no place is completely shielded
[3:24] Speaker 1: from nature. Some buildings crumbled, and a historic mosque was damaged,
[3:28] Speaker 1: highlighting the risk of structures not built to withstand seismic forces.
[3:32] Speaker 1: The global economy has not remained aloof, however, struggles abound.
[3:36] Speaker 1: The United States, France, and Spain extended offers of support,
[3:39] Speaker 1: echoing a universal spirit of empathy and solidarity. However, support
[3:43] Speaker 1: hasn't been as rapid as needed. There's been a slow
[3:46] Speaker 1: and bureaucratic process to getting aid. King Mohammed V of
[3:50] Speaker 1: Morocco announced three days of natural mourning, promised rapid aid,
[3:54] Speaker 1: and especially to vulnerable populations, offered resources. According to a
[3:59] Speaker 1: spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
[4:03] Speaker 1: Crescent Societies, this emergency response will be a marathon, not
[4:06] Speaker 1: a sprint. Authorities expected the death toll to rise after
[4:11] Speaker 1: aftershocks to pose new challenges. In times like these, we
[4:15] Speaker 1: draw some hope from 2 Corinthians 4. It brings us
[4:18] Speaker 1: much-needed solace and perspective, as it reads, but we have
[4:21] Speaker 1: treasures in jars of clay to show that the surpassing
[4:24] Speaker 1: power belongs to God and not to us. We are
[4:27] Speaker 1: afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not
[4:30] Speaker 1: driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, shut down but
[4:33] Speaker 1: not destroyed. We are reminded that our lives are like
[4:36] Speaker 1: fragile jars of clay. Nothing is guaranteed in this life.
[4:39] Speaker 1: But even in our frailty, there exists a resilience that
[4:42] Speaker 1: transcends human strength. This is where God's power comes into
[4:46] Speaker 1: play in all of our lives and whatever tragedy we face.
[4:49] Speaker 1: We are struck down but not destroyed. And in that resilience,
[4:52] Speaker 1: as communities and as believers, we carry forth the life
[4:55] Speaker 1: of Jesus in the face of calamity. The Morocco earthquake
[4:59] Speaker 1: is a poignant reminder of human vulnerability, but it is
[5:02] Speaker 1: also a testament to human and divine resilience, showing us
[5:06] Speaker 1: that even when our buildings crumble, our spirit can remain unbroken,
[5:09] Speaker 1: anchored by faith. In the difficult days that lie ahead
[5:13] Speaker 1: for Morocco and its residents, Let us remember this passage,
[5:16] Speaker 1: providing comfort and strength to the people who face overwhelming adversity.
[5:20] Speaker 1: May God give us all the strength to heal, the
[5:22] Speaker 1: courage to rebuild, and the wisdom to prepare for the
[5:24] Speaker 1: unforeseeable trials that life presents. And let us continue to
[5:28] Speaker 1: pray for the people of Morocco, that as families are
[5:31] Speaker 1: trying to be reunited and a society is going to
[5:33] Speaker 1: try and be rebuilt, that the love of the Lord
[5:36] Speaker 1: and the strength that He provides through His Spirit would
[5:39] Speaker 1: be experienced in full force. So let's pray. Heavenly Father,
[5:43] Speaker 1: we come before you with heavy hearts for the devastating
[5:46] Speaker 1: loss and suffering experienced by the people of Morocco. In
[5:49] Speaker 1: their time of crisis, may your grace and strength become
[5:52] Speaker 1: their solace and guide. Grant them resilience to heal, courage
[5:55] Speaker 1: to rebuild, and the wisdom to prepare for unforeseen trials
[5:58] Speaker 1: that life may bring. Heal, restore, and may you give
[6:03] Speaker 1: us all perspective in this time. In Jesus' name, amen.
[6:08] Speaker 1: Mexico's Supreme Court has ruled to remove all federal criminal
[6:11] Speaker 1: penalties for abortion. The decision comes as a part of
[6:15] Speaker 1: a larger trend across Latin America to widen access to
[6:18] Speaker 1: abortion services. The Mexico court's decision has evoked a wide
[6:22] Speaker 1: range of reactions, both in favor and against it, reflecting
[6:25] Speaker 1: the deeply divided opinions within the highly religious country. On Wednesday,
[6:29] Speaker 1: Mexico's Supreme Court declared that national laws criminalizing abortion are
[6:34] Speaker 1: unconstitutional and in violation of women's rights. The ruling directs
[6:39] Speaker 1: the Federal Public Health Service and all federal health institutions
[6:42] Speaker 1: to offer abortion services upon request. The Information Group for
[6:46] Speaker 1: Chosen Reproduction issued a statement noting no women or pregnant
[6:50] Speaker 1: person nor any health worker will be able to be
[6:53] Speaker 1: punished for abortion. The decision was met with a mix
[6:57] Speaker 1: of celebration and concern. Mexico's National Institute for Women hailed
[7:01] Speaker 1: the decision as a big step toward gender equality, while
[7:03] Speaker 1: Senator Olga Sanchez Cordero said it represented an advance towards
[7:08] Speaker 1: a more just society in which the rights of all
[7:11] Speaker 1: are respected. On the other side, opponents like Irma Barrientios,
[7:15] Speaker 1: director of the Civil Association for the Rights of the Conceived,
[7:19] Speaker 1: noted that there are some rights that have been violated,
[7:21] Speaker 1: the rights of the unborn, and vowed to continue to
[7:24] Speaker 1: fight against expanded abortion access. There has also been an
[7:28] Speaker 1: outcry from the more devout Catholic community in Mexico, lamenting
[7:31] Speaker 1: the decision as a step backward for the rights of
[7:33] Speaker 1: the unborn. Though the ruling is significant, it does not
[7:36] Speaker 1: mean that abortion is now legal in all 20 states
[7:39] Speaker 1: that currently criminalize it. Judges in those states will have
[7:42] Speaker 1: to follow the high court's decision and further legal steps
[7:45] Speaker 1: will be required to completely remove all penalties. Fernanda Diaz-Leon,
[7:49] Speaker 1: a legal expert for women's rights groups, explained that while
[7:52] Speaker 1: the decision was an important step, its immediate practical impact
[7:56] Speaker 1: might be limited. She pointed out that women in conservative
[7:59] Speaker 1: areas might still face difficulties in accessing abortions despite the
[8:03] Speaker 1: federal ruling. The changes in Mexico and across Latin America
[8:06] Speaker 1: stand in contrast to increasing restrictions in the United States.
[8:10] Speaker 1: The Green Wave, as it's called, began to pick up
[8:12] Speaker 1: pace after Argentina legalized abortion in 2020 and Colombia followed
[8:17] Speaker 1: suit in 2022. This comes at a time when the U.S.
[8:20] Speaker 1: Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, leading to an increased
[8:23] Speaker 1: restriction in various American states. How do we begin to
[8:28] Speaker 1: reflect on this story, this controversial topic that is abortion?
[8:32] Speaker 1: You see, this story reflects a broader phenomenon happening in
[8:35] Speaker 1: the world right now. While the U.S. has taken more
[8:38] Speaker 1: steps towards criminalizing abortion, countries in Latin America are taking
[8:41] Speaker 1: steps towards decriminalization. The Christian community is actually just as
[8:46] Speaker 1: split as the world on the issue of abortion. There
[8:48] Speaker 1: are many Christ-loving believers on both sides of this debate.
[8:52] Speaker 1: Surveys show that most Christians fall somewhere in the middle,
[8:54] Speaker 1: decrying late-term abortions while also feeling trepidatious about banning abortions
[8:59] Speaker 1: under every circumstance. So what can we agree on? In
[9:02] Speaker 1: a world that's constantly divided, what can we actually unite on?
[9:07] Speaker 1: The first thing we can agree on is that children
[9:09] Speaker 1: are a blessing. Nearly every parent will tell you that
[9:11] Speaker 1: while having children can be difficult, trying, and draining, they
[9:15] Speaker 1: wouldn't trade being a parent for anything. This echoes the
[9:17] Speaker 1: biblical sentiment that children are a heritage and a joyful
[9:20] Speaker 1: gift given by God. There are loving, devoted parents who
[9:24] Speaker 1: are both pro-life and pro-choice. The second thing that we
[9:27] Speaker 1: can agree on, hopefully, is that many women think abortion
[9:30] Speaker 1: is their only option. Plenty of resources must be available
[9:33] Speaker 1: for women to be cared for so they never have
[9:35] Speaker 1: to feel like that that's their only option. To be
[9:37] Speaker 1: pro-life is to be pro-woman, offering as much support as possible.
[9:42] Speaker 1: May we in the Christian community be diligent to ensure
[9:44] Speaker 1: options for adoption, health care, and counseling are always available
[9:48] Speaker 1: to women who feel helpless and without support. What would
[9:52] Speaker 1: it look like if the local church was the first
[9:54] Speaker 1: place women turned to when they were pregnant? because they
[9:57] Speaker 1: knew that they would find all the loving support that
[9:59] Speaker 1: they needed. Abortion is a topic that elicits strong views
[10:03] Speaker 1: and emotions. Those on either side of the issue often
[10:06] Speaker 1: find it hard to fathom how someone could hold an
[10:09] Speaker 1: opposing view. Yet amid these contrasting perspectives, it's essential to
[10:13] Speaker 1: remember that unity and love can exist in the margins
[10:16] Speaker 1: of disagreement. It's possible to strive for a society where
[10:19] Speaker 1: respect for differing views does not equate to endorsement of
[10:23] Speaker 1: those views. The basis for unity often comes not from
[10:26] Speaker 1: uniformity of opinion, but from the shared belief in the
[10:29] Speaker 1: dignity and the worth of every human being. Now, the
[10:31] Speaker 1: definition of dignity and worth of every human being is
[10:34] Speaker 1: what is at play in the pro-choice and in the
[10:37] Speaker 1: pro-life community. Is it the rights of women and their autonomy,
[10:41] Speaker 1: or is it the right of the unborn to live?
[10:43] Speaker 1: As discussions about this ruling continue, may we find ways
[10:46] Speaker 1: to show love and understanding, even when consensus seems impossible. So,
[10:52] Speaker 1: let's pray. Lord, we come before you acknowledging that the
[10:55] Speaker 1: topic of abortion is deeply divisive and fraught with strong
[10:58] Speaker 1: emotions and beliefs. We pray for wisdom and compassion. But
[11:01] Speaker 1: most of all, we pray for those women who feel
[11:03] Speaker 1: like abortion is their only option. Would you mobilize the
[11:07] Speaker 1: body of Christ, a community of believers around them, to
[11:11] Speaker 1: shower them with love, support, and provision. May we strive
[11:15] Speaker 1: to support and uplift the dignity and well-being of all
[11:17] Speaker 1: the individuals in our lives in our spheres of influence.
[11:20] Speaker 1: We pray that you would help us navigate divisive topics,
[11:23] Speaker 1: never demonizing people, rather striving for love and life. In Jesus' name, amen.
[11:31] Speaker 1: Now on to some more lighthearted news. In a sports
[11:34] Speaker 1: world often overshadowed by sensational news and divisive narratives, the
[11:38] Speaker 1: 2023 U.S. Open Tennis Championship painted a different picture, one
[11:42] Speaker 1: of monumental achievements and a promise of more to come.
[11:45] Speaker 1: Novak Djokovic, the 36-year-old Serbian tennis marvel, defied age and
[11:50] Speaker 1: odds by conquering his 24th Grand Slam title with a
[11:53] Speaker 1: riveting win against Daniil Medvedev in the men's single final.
[11:57] Speaker 1: Not only did he move past the tennis legend Serena
[12:00] Speaker 1: Williams in the Grand Slam title tally, but he also
[12:03] Speaker 1: became the oldest male champion in the history of the U.S. Open.
[12:06] Speaker 1: Djokovic's match against Medvedev wasn't an effortless affair. There were
[12:11] Speaker 1: moments in the nerve-wracking second set, which lasted for an
[12:14] Speaker 1: astonishing one hour and 44 minutes, when even determined Djokovic
[12:18] Speaker 1: appeared to be faltering. Yet his trademark tenacity showed its colors,
[12:22] Speaker 1: helping him to stay in the game and ultimately secure
[12:25] Speaker 1: a straight win. The final's levity was captured perfect by Medvedev,
[12:29] Speaker 1: who humorously inquired during the trophy presentation, First of all, Novak,
[12:33] Speaker 1: I want to ask, What are you still doing here?
[12:36] Speaker 1: Clearly Djokovic isn't going anywhere soon. While Djokovic reinforced his
[12:41] Speaker 1: already legendary status, 19-year-old American Coco Gauff stormed her way
[12:45] Speaker 1: into history by winning her first Grand Slam title. With
[12:49] Speaker 1: this feat, Gauff became the youngest American to win the U.S.
[12:52] Speaker 1: Open since Serena Williams in 1999. Like a phoenix rising,
[12:56] Speaker 1: Gauff turned the tide against Serena Sabalenka, shaking off a
[12:59] Speaker 1: shaky start to clinch the championship in three sets. The
[13:03] Speaker 1: echoes of cheers for Goff, especially from her parents and grandparents,
[13:06] Speaker 1: resonated deeply at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Goff poignantly addressed her detractors, stating,
[13:11] Speaker 1: To those who thought they were putting water in my fire,
[13:15] Speaker 1: you were really adding gas to it, and now it's
[13:17] Speaker 1: burning bright. The young star from Florida has made it
[13:20] Speaker 1: clear she's not just a fleeting sensation. Her championship win
[13:24] Speaker 1: capped off a 12-match winning streak. And if that's not
[13:27] Speaker 1: evidence of her ability to carry grace under pressure, what is?
[13:31] Speaker 1: In the realm of sports, one can easily witness the
[13:33] Speaker 1: characteristics that are also fundamental to our faith. Persistence, humility,
[13:38] Speaker 1: and grace. Djokovic's remarkable tenacity and God's overcoming spirit speak
[13:43] Speaker 1: to the strength of human character and resilience that is
[13:46] Speaker 1: also championed in the Bible. Djokovic, despite being seasoned, shows
[13:50] Speaker 1: that age is just a number when you are driven
[13:52] Speaker 1: by purpose, a lesson that echoes the biblical character of Abraham,
[13:56] Speaker 1: who fulfilled God's purpose even in his old age. God's
[13:59] Speaker 1: resilience mirrors the youthful vigor of David, who, as a
[14:01] Speaker 1: young shepherd boy, defeated Goliath. More importantly, both champions, in
[14:06] Speaker 1: their way, acknowledged the collective support that fueled their journey.
[14:09] Speaker 1: This is a vivid reminder of the Christian principle that
[14:12] Speaker 1: we are all part of a larger community, each playing
[14:14] Speaker 1: a role in each other's victories and lessons. In a
[14:17] Speaker 1: time where the world is striving for understanding and unity,
[14:21] Speaker 1: let us look to stories like these to inspire us
[14:23] Speaker 1: and to unify us. Because whether we're talking tennis or faith,
[14:27] Speaker 1: The game is always better when everyone has a shot
[14:29] Speaker 1: to play. Let's close our time together in prayer. Heavenly Father,
[14:33] Speaker 1: we thank you for the incredible talent and achievement we
[14:35] Speaker 1: have witnessed in the sports world. May the tenacity and
[14:38] Speaker 1: grace shown by these athletes inspire us in our own
[14:40] Speaker 1: lives to strive for excellence while remembering the importance of
[14:43] Speaker 1: community and support. Help us to recognize that each of
[14:46] Speaker 1: us have a role to play in the victories of
[14:49] Speaker 1: other people's lives. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for
[14:53] Speaker 1: joining us today on Pray News. It is our aim
[14:55] Speaker 1: to be informed and transformed. We pray today you would
[14:58] Speaker 1: proceed with hope, love, and determination to be a force
[15:00] Speaker 1: for good. If you have enjoyed this take on the news,
[15:02] Speaker 1: consider writing us a review and share your experience. You
[15:05] Speaker 1: can sign up for our newsletter at PrayNews.com, and there
[15:08] Speaker 1: you'll find sources to all of our reporting. Be sure
[15:11] Speaker 1: to download the Pray.com app to make prayer a priority
[15:13] Speaker 1: in your life and experience the Bible in new and
[15:15] Speaker 1: exciting ways. God bless.

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