There is little doubt that one of the fundamental issues that propelled Donald J. Trump to the presidency in 2016 was his promise to appoint a conservative justice to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Virtually every exit poll and subsequent survey listed that pledge as their No. 1 reason for casting their ballot for Trump, especially among the many evangelical Christians who supported him.

The rationale was simple: the appointment of a liberal, progressive judge to the nation’s highest court to replace Antonin Scalia would remove every obstacle to the godless, immoral agenda of the radical left, and accelerate the relentless judicial assault of religious liberties begun under the Obama administration. Since Supreme Court justices are appointed for life, the hostile effects would be felt for decades.

In late January, President Trump kept his promise, unveiling his choice from the prestigious list compiled by respected conservative groups and widely distributed during his campaign.

Judge Neil Gorsuch, a widely acclaimed and accomplished judge from the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, was nominated by Trump. As I write, Gorsuch is facing what is expected to be an acrimonious hearing before Congress, despite having been approved by unanimous voice vote in 2006 for his appointment to the federal appeals court.

His record for protecting the religious liberties of American citizens and businesses is outstanding. He ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby’s right to opt out of Obamacare’s mandated coverage of abortifacients because of the firm religious convictions of the Green family, which owns the company. He also ruled favorably on behalf of the Little Sisters of the Poor, an order of nuns that also refused to participate in the abortifacient and contraceptive mandate.

In his book, The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia, the fourth-generation Coloradan clearly repudiated the death ethos of that dangerous philosophy, which has gained so much ground in Europe, and is beginning to make inroads even here. Gorsuch wrote: “All human beings are intrinsically valuable … and the intentional taking of human life by private persons is always wrong.”

Gorsuch spoke warmly of the priority of his “family and faith” as he accepted President Trump’s nomination to the court in the East Room of the White House. Following his remarks, he joined President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in prayer.

I believe that Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court is an answer to the prayers of millions of Christians who called out to God during the presidential election, and who understood the clear threat to our religious liberties. I also believe that we must continue to pray for Judge Gorsuch as he endures the constant attacks against him from members of Congress, liberal advocacy groups, and other progressive entities that hate his stand for life and liberty, his clearly stated intention not to legislate from the bench, and his commitment to faithfully interpret law based on the original intent of the U.S. Constitution.

This is a critical moment for our country. By all accounts, Judge Gorsuch is an extremely accomplished jurist with impeccable credentials who will be a staunch advocate for religious liberty and the sanctity of life. The forces that have gathered against his nomination are closely allied with the abortion industry and the powerful LGBT lobby. His appointment will provide at least a brief window to perhaps halt the onslaught against Biblical values and preserve the religious freedoms that have blessed our nation since its founding.Just a few days following Judge Gorsuch’s nomination, I was privileged to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in our nation’s capital. Placed at every seat was a copy of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The chaplain to the U.S. Senate, the Reverend Barry Black, was the featured speaker, and his Scripture-filled sermon was a great challenge and encouragement. I must say that this was among the most Christ-centered prayer breakfasts I have ever attended. It was great to see the Word of God front and center and the preaching of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with the president and vice president in attendance.

My deep and abiding concern for our nation is for souls. There is nothing more valuable than a person’s soul, for we will spend eternity either in the presence of God in Heaven, or away from His presence in everlasting torment.

That’s why I am so passionate about the protection and preservation of our religious freedoms. When courts and legislatures become advocates for deviant sexual behavior, while vigorously pursuing and prosecuting Christians simply for obeying their faith-based convictions, then you know our country is at a critical juncture.

The prophet wrote: “Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter” (Isaiah 59:14, ESV).

Indeed, truth has been stumbling in the public squares of our courts, schools and places of business as the forces of evil seek to suppress righteousness and justice through social and legal intimidation.

I believe, through God’s divine mercy and the fervent prayers of His people, that we can see a reversal—a breakthrough for truth and justice to reign once again. I believe that the light of the Gospel can and ultimately will overwhelm this present darkness. I believe the good works of Holy Spirit-filled followers of Christ can shine brilliantly in a broken and dim world so that God is glorified.

So let’s keep praying for God’s truth to prevail, for justice to be upheld, and for God to be honored in these crucial days and the months ahead.