A prayerful perspective on the 2026 March for Life

By Meagan Henline

“Whatever we do is in vain if it’s not for the Lord,” Ellie Russell said.

For Sienna Hutton, a freshman Liberal Arts major, and Ellie Russell, a freshman Education major, the D.C. March for Life did not begin with signs or speeches – it began with prayer. 

Before traveling to Washington, D.C., to join the nation’s largest pro-life gathering, Hutton and Russell invited students to gather in the DMC Prayer Room for a time of intentional prayer, placing the weekend in God’s hands. Along with Hutton and Russell, throughout the trip, the officers of Cedarville’s Students for Life chapter sought Christ with a dependent, prayerful posture. 

At 1 a.m. on Jan. 23, outside the Stevens Student Center, Hutton and Russell boarded a charter bus and traveled seven hours to Washington, D.C., to join hundreds of thousands of pro-life supporters in the annual National March for Life.

Russell heard about the trip through her involvement with Cedarville’s Students for Life chapter. Hutton learned about it through campus promotions and conversations with friends. Both students felt called to participate, and through prayer, the decision was simple. 

The March for Life is an annual national event held in Washington, D.C., that brings hundreds of thousands of individuals together to advocate for the protection of unborn human life. 

Established in response to the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the march continues to serve as a public witness for the value of all human life, even after the ruling was overturned in 2022.

While the event draws excitement, rather than relying and rejoicing in their own efforts or the event’s momentum, Hutton, Russell, and the officers of Cedarville’s Students for Life chapter wanted their participation to reflect their ultimate dependence on the Lord to bring about a genuine change that is separate from human strength.

They believed that prayer was not merely a starting point for the weekend but a posture throughout the weekend, aligning their advocacy with their faith and keeping Christ at the center of their actions.

“Whatever we do is in vain if it’s not for the Lord,” Russell said. “Even if it looks successful on the outside, if we don’t rely on the Lord, then what are we doing?”

For Cedarville Students for Life members, the event was not only an opportunity to engage in advocacy; it was also a chance to glorify God through their words, actions, hymns and prayers as they stood up for the lives of those who cannot advocate for themselves.

Surrounded by thousands who shared a commitment to protecting unborn life, Hutton was encouraged by the reminder that they were not alone.

“Sometimes it can feel like we’re fighting this battle alone,” Hutton said. “But there were so many people standing up for life.” 

For both Hutton and Russell, the experience served as a reminder that prayer and the gospel must remain at the center of advocating for life and it was an encouraging reminder of the ultimate power and authority of Christ.  

Meagan Henline is a sophomore Professional Writing and Information Design major. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family and hopes to be a published novelist one day.

Photos by Matt Black Media