“for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” – 2 Corinthians 10:4
Etched in my memory, the sight of her replays in my mind. She arrived at the abortion clinic with her mother. Evidently tears coursed down her cheeks as a woman representing Cities4Life offered counsel through the car window. From what I heard later, the mother insisted her daughter terminate her pregnancy or she couldn’t come home.
She couldn’t come home unless the clinic’s staff ended her unborn baby’s life. Seventeen years old … I can’t get this young woman out of my mind. She proceeded into the building. While inside, perhaps she heard the female speaker outside who passionately and compassionately offered hope and help. Sharing her story of pre-adult pregnancy and a mom who supported her through it, this woman communicated via loudspeaker. She valiantly re-iterated that another choice–the choice of life–remained within reach. Yet seemingly to no avail. Somberly this one who appeared to have no choice emerged from the enclosed clinic. As she re-entered the parked vehicle, one man in particular called out, still offering hope and help. She never glanced his way.
Only God knows the end of this story … and countless others. What I witnessed last Saturday on my first visit outside an abortion clinic seriously sobers me. A protestor–that’s how the public views me. But that’s inaccurate. Praying and singing, I stood with almost a dozen others from my church. Tears silently slipped from my eyes. Disagreement with some of the methods being employed by others on the sidewalk flitted through my mind. But encouragement relieved me as I spoke with one who ministers there every Saturday.
Friends, I know my stand on the sidewalk doesn’t appeal to everyone. Certainly some would challenge my perspective. And I myself am undoubtedly a broken sinner in desperate need of God’s grace. But babies are being aborted every day in our country. Legally. Structures that resemble fortresses due to their closed off windows and outdoor security house horrific practices. Mothers enter with their unborn child … and leave without them.
YET! “… the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses” (2 Cor. 10:4).
God has equipped His people with the Holy Spirit and powerful prayer–two divine weapons capable of destroying fortresses. Simply having significant numbers of Christians present on the sidewalk deters women from aborting their child. The Holy Spirit’s presence utilized in prayer mightily dismantles the evil one’s strongholds. Which means we as Christians need to be there–standing in the gap, petitioning our Father, and ministering in Christ’s love. Rather than being labeled protestors, we need to mobilize ourselves as ministers. Jesus says, ” … I am the way, and the truth, and the life …” (John 14:6). What better place to proclaim life than in a place of death?
My heart weeps for the adolescent mother whose name I will probably never know. I grieve the death of her unborn child. And I can stay silent no more.
“‘HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!'” Romans 10:15
photo credit: anastasiaphotography via photopin cc
Having worked for a Crisis Pregnancy center for 5 years, offering help and counsel to women with unplanned pregnancies, I have seen both sides of this and it is always heart wrenching. Thankfully, if we can coax the young women to come to our center we can help them and often they reverse their decision. It is even more sad when the Grandmother of the growing baby is pushing for this. But we sometimes help these women as well. But the post abortion recovery program, which is sadly growing in large numbers, is another effective tool in pointing women to Christ and His forgiveness helping them to move forward in their lives. What a sad state of life sin has created.
Dear Barb,
Thanks for commenting. And, more than that, thank you for your years of ministry at a CPC. You are making a valuable impact for the Lord. Yes, our sin leaves us in a mess, but thanks be to God who has provided hope, forgiveness, and life through His Son, Jesus Christ!
Much love to you in Him,
Emily