Today the Supreme Court announced that they will postpone oral arguments scheduled for the March session, in order to follow public health precautions recommended for COVID-19. The Court will conference together on Friday, March 20 but some justices may participate by phone. The Supreme Court building has closed to the public.

This is not unprecedented action. This happened in October of 1918 during the Spanish flu epidemic, and in August in 1793 and 1798 during yellow fever outbreaks.

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It is interesting that the Court is right now writing their opinions on June Medical Services v. Russo, the important abortion case that was argued on March 4, 2020. Let’s intensify our prayers as the justices and their clerks will have more time to consider this case. Perhaps a justice or two will have the time and space to reconsider a potential wrong decision. And if so, our prayers to God for this may be powerful and effective at this time.

It’s also such a good reminder that although this pandemic is unprecedented in our time, there have been other times of disease epidemics in our nation. The Spanish flu in October 1918 occurred during World War I, which didn’t end until November 11, 1918. How these overlapping events must have terrified and grieved people at the time!

We want to hear from you–leave a comment with how you will pray for our Supreme Court justices knowing that they have postponed their session.