Role of Pastoral Preaching in Curtailing Prevalence of Abortion Among Married Couples.

Abortion remains a contentious ethical and moral issue, even more so when it involves married couples, a demographic often overlooked in abortion discourse. This paper examines the increasing trend of abortion among married women in Nigeria and explores the multifaceted reasons behind their decisions, including economic hardship, fetal abnormalities, child-spacing preferences, and personal aspirations. Drawing on theological principles and pastoral responsibilities, the paper emphasizes the critical role pastoral preaching can play in addressing this issue. Through moral guidance, spiritual nurturing, raising awareness of supportive resources, and compassionate counseling, pastoral preaching can serve as a redemptive and preventative tool. It advocates for an empathetic, scripture-based preaching model that upholds the sanctity of life while offering support and direction to couples navigating complex life circumstances. Ultimately, the study posits that pastoral preaching, when intentionally directed at the existential realities of the congregation, has the potential to reduce the prevalence of abortion among married couples.