As dusk fell in Washington, D.C. Saturday, the typical Capitol landscape was transformed into something otherworldly as pro-lifers from across the country lit 250 luminaries, one for each year of America’s life, and joined in corporate prayer over the nation’s future. 

Simultaneously, identical displays lit up in over 20 of the nation’s largest cities, where attendees joined in lifting up their prayers for our country. 

The occasion? Students for Life of America’s (SFLA) National Celebrate Life Day event, an annual celebration commemorating the fall of Roe v. Wade.  

But this year, the event meant even more. As America turns 250, we’re still a long, long way from living up to our nation’s calling. As a country, we were founded on the right to life — yet every day, over a thousand preborn babies are denied that fundamental right.  

READ MORE: SAVE THE DATE: Students for Life to Host Third Annual ‘National Celebrate Life Day,’ with a Sunset Vigil and Prayer Service 

That’s why, instead of all the luminaries shining white, 49 of the luminaries glowed red, one for each year America spent under the tyranny of Roe v. Wade, serving as a reminder of just how much work remains to be done. 

Moments before dusk, a star-studded cast of speakers echoed reminded those in attendance of the need to rededicate and refocus our efforts until abortion no longer exists in America. 

“You cannot win in the law if you have not first won in the heart . . . This is our work. Not just to make abortion illegal, but to make abortion unthinkable,” said SFLA President Kristan Hawkins. “Culture is changed by the people. Ordinary, courageous, persuaded people, who decide to live and speak the truth out loud, one heart at a time.” 

Throughout the event, the gospel was shared as the ultimate way to change hearts and minds. 

“Ultimately, the answer was to trust in Christ,” said SFLA Ambassador Gwyn Andrews. “Every life has value, every child deserves a chance, and every difficult situation still deserves hope.” 

“Long before America had political institutions, America had churches,” said Pierre Wilson of TPUSA Rise. “Churches taught something that changed the course of history: that every human being is made in the image of God . . . The pro-Life movement exists today because of that truth.” 

Watch the event recap here.