Abortion brings darkness to a community ... a darkness that needs our silence in order to survive. It brings death to the innocent. It also brings emotional, spiritual ... even physical suffering.
In 297 cities right now, volunteers are shining a light into that darkness through their prayers and presence.
We know from the gospel that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). We cannot ignore this darkness in our communities. We must trust the light of Christ to penetrate the darkest corners of our culture.
Tempe, Arizona
“The image of a young man at the Tempe Planned Parenthood is one that I will never forget,” said Lisa, the local 40 Days for Life leader in Tempe. In his grief, he bent down and prayed.
He then stopped to talk to the prayer volunteers. “How fitting that you are out here,” he said. “I’ve been through this. My girlfriend had an abortion last week. She was 15 weeks pregnant … and this was not what I wanted.”
He was looking for someone to console and encourage him. “I’m a believer,” he said, “and I said my prayer.”
“When asked if we can keep him in prayer,” Lisa said, “he said yes. So please pray for this young man to find comfort and healing. We will also continue to pray for the young women who have made their ‘choice’ without knowing the full impact.”
This young man wanted his child, but that child was taken by the violence of abortion. However, he is trying to bear this with patience and sorrow … wanting to learn how he can make sure this won't happen again.
“We never know,” said Lisa, “how the Holy Spirit will work during our time on the sidewalk.”
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
It was a somber scene outside the abortion center in Pittsburgh as an ambulance pulled up … and medical teams were called inside.
“This is the third time I have personally seen a woman taken out by stretcher during a 40 Days for Life vigil,” said Nikki, the local leader. “We prayed for her. She was alert and her face was tear-stained as she was carried out. Abortion is devastating.”
Please keep this in mind the next time you’re told that abortion is “safe and legal.”
Manassas, Virginia
“We are having a great impact on the abortion clinic,” said Mike, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator in Manassas. “Last Saturday, no abortionist showed up. This is extremely rare for a Saturday. For those who were there, it was very rewarding to witness an empty parking lot.”
Mike said that in addition to prayer, a great resource for saving babies is close at hand – a pregnancy help center with counselors, who “day in and day out, try to talk to each woman as they approach the abortion clinic, offering them all the help they need.”
It's a tough job that takes tough skin and a big caring heart, he said. “But the rewards are eternal.”