Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) (AP Photo)

(CNSNews.com) – Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told a crowd of thousands of pro-life Americans gathered at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the 40th annual March for Life on Friday that America is a nation “adrift" where "right and wrong have become subservient to the hedonism of the moment."

“Can a nation long endure that does not respect the sanctity of life?” Paul asked. “Can a nation conceived in liberty carry its head high if it denies protection to the youngest and most vulnerable of its citizens? Can a country founded on God-given rights continue to thrive without understanding that life is a precious gift from our Creator?

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“I believe that great nations and great civilizations spring from a people who have a moral compass,” he said. “Our nation is adrift, adrift in a wilderness where right and wrong have become subservient to a hedonism of the moment.

“I believe our country is in need of a revival,” Paul continued. “I believe our country is in need of a spiritual cleansing. As a physician, I have looked into the eyes of one-pound babies. I have cradled their small bodies in the palm of one hand.

“I defy those who are careless, who would disregard life,” he said. “I defy them to come to the neonatal nursery with me and look at these tiny little miracles and say, ‘We’re not going to protect that.’

“We all want change,” Paul said. “We march today for change, but change will only come when we begin to change attitudes. We must preach a gospel so full of compassion, a gospel so full of justice that it cannot be resisted.

“Then, and only then, will the law again protect the innocent,” he said.

On Friday, the annual March for Life convened in Washington, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which took place earlier this week.