Pat Caraway went to the abortion clinic to pray.
Upon arriving he realized he was alone. So he simply bowed his head in prayer, while holding a sign that said, “Thou Shall Not Kill.”
Unbeknownst to Mr. Caraway, he caught the attention of a woman headed to the abortion clinic. She had her signal on to turn into the drive, but changed her mind, upon seeing his prayerful demeanor.
She ended up going instead to the nearby crisis pregnancy center for help. She chose life for her baby, Mr. Caraway later learned.
He saved a life, without talking to anyone. He didn’t confront anyone either, and a child is alive today as a result.
This is the story David Bereit, the Co-Founder and National Director of 40 Days For Life, recounted of his friend, Pat Caraway in a recent, exclusive interview for ProLife365.com.
This is the type of impact we all might have someday… if we would just show up at the abortion clinic to pray.
I do not know the percentage, but I am willing to bet still a large percentage of people claim to be pro-life, but are reluctant to stand outside their local abortion center, where babies are being killed every day.
I will now go through common objections people give for not showing up to pray outside their local abortion center(s). I will then proceed to give my tips for those going to there to pray.
COMMON EXCUSES… ERRR, I MEAN OBJECTIONS
1. “I Don’t Want to be Confrontational”
Many people who do not participate in the pro-life movement believe a caricature of pro-lifers as extremists. The mass media would have them believe pro-lifers are standing outside abortion mills, yelling at those going in.
They accuse us of wanting to kill the abortionists, blow up the abortion clinics, and other ridiculous lies.
The truth is pro-lifers are peaceful. A big credit is due to the 40 Days For Life campaign, who have mobilizes hundreds of thousands of folks to get involved in the pro-life movement for the first time.
The approach 40 Days For Life has everyone agree to in order to be involved is to commit to a peaceful, prayer vigil outside the abortion centers. The method has borne much fruit.
As great at 40 Days For Life is, we need people (we need everyone) out there for more than just 40 days. We need them all year—365 days.
The truth is, when you show up to the abortion center, you are not required to talk to anyone. You can simply pray in silence, if you so desire. Your storming heaven with prayers will be heard by God, most certainly.
2. “I Just Don’t Have Time”
This is a very common excuse for not taking time to pray, in general, but especially for the unborn outside an abortion center.
The truth remains that we all make time for what is important to us. Please ask yourself if you’re compassionate enough to not let children be murdered without protesting their deaths.
Two more questions for you:
If your local radio station called you right now to say you won $2,500, but had to pick it up within an hour, I am sure you would find a way to get there. Thus, this proves you can rearrange your schedule, if motivated.
Over 3,500 babies are legally slaughtered in the US each day. Will you please join in prayer for them?
One last question to you, Mr. Busy Person. What if you learned kindergarteners were being killed one by one at the elementary school closest to your house? Are you telling me you would drive past that school, because that board meeting or that grocery store trip was more important?
3. “I Am Too Young”
“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity,” St. Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 4:12.
Teens are being brought to the clinics (often by their parents) in order to get abortions. If you’re a teen, then you would be speaking to some of your peers. That could be a powerful witness.
I remember watching one teen mother choose life for her baby when another teen sidewalk counselor, named Leslie, told her simply, “You’ll make a great mom!” When the mother shook her head, Leslie smiled and said, “No, really, you will.”
The words of encouragement and hope were just what that young woman needed to hear.
4. “I Am Too Old”
My favorite sidewalk counselor is an older woman named Jackie. She has a light, carefree demeanor about her. When she speaks to you, she commands respect. You can just tell she has a kind soul and can win you over in love.
Jackie knows being out at the abortion center that not everyone will choose life. Although she tries to counsel the clinic patrons, sometimes no one speaks to her. She shrugs it off. “I guess I’m just invisible today,” she tells me.
Wisdom. Love. Warmth. And a quick wit. Necessary attributes in front of the abortion center. Our senior citizens provide all of that in abundance. We need them out there.
5. “I Will Let Someone Else Fight This Battle”
You may be thinking this is a cause you just can’t see yourself getting involved in. You already have your passions: maybe you donate food to the homeless, and you do Habitat for Humanity projects.
Those are all great ministries. But keep in mind the right to life supersedes all other rights. If the unborn, the most innocent and vulnerable among us are unworthy of your help, then no one is.
I encourage you to commit to going out to the mill just once, to see. If it still is not your cup of tea, I suggest you volunteer or donate to your local crisis pregnancy center, to support their effort in your place.
6. “I Am Personally Opposed, But I Can’t Tell Anyone Going Inside What To Do”
You might be goaded into feeling like you would be “judging” those going inside. I beg you not to fall for that. Rather, consider this perspective:
“Where were you, when I got my abortion?”
“If only someone was standing outside the abortion center when I went, I wouldn’t have done it.”
“I was looking for a sign, and no one was there.”
This is the common refrain of post-abortive women. I have heard this from pro-abortive female friends of mine.
As Father Frank Pavone, of Priests For Life, says, if no one is standing outside an abortion center in prayer when it is open, then the local churches may as well post a sign saying “Everyone is welcome here.”
Besides, if we can’t tell someone they should not have their own child put to death, then anything and everything is permissible.
5 TIPS FOR GOING TO PRAY AT THE ABORTION CLINIC
1. Ensure You Are in a State of Grace
When you stand before an abortion center, you are drawing a big bulls eye on yourself for the demons. You are entering the front lines of the spiritual battleground, be forewarned.
Therefore, it is IMPERATIVE that you go to the abortion clinic while in a state of grace. If you are Catholic, then I recommend receiving the Sacrament of Penance within a couple days or no more than a week before going out there to pray.
To learn specifically about sidewalk counseling, click on this image to learn about Lauren Muzyka’s ministry, Sidewalk Advocates For Life
2. Try to Not Go Alone
I highly recommend you do not go to pray at the abortion center alone. Try to ensure at least one other person goes with you. Your prayers will be more efficacious together (Matthew 18:20). As well, in case some confrontation does take place—although unlikely—then you will have a witness and someone on your side.
3. Bring the Kids, If You Want, But Keep Them Safe
The question of whether it is appropriate to bring children is common. I say yes, but with a couple caveats.
Your children will make powerful witnesses to the beauty of life and to the gift children are. I know by bringing my children in the past, it has helped me to break the ice in some conversations with patrons of the clinic.
Still, keep the children away from the road, in a safe place. If they are of age, then they too would do well to visit the Sacrament of Confession before going.
And do not discount the power of intercession your children possess. God will honor their prayers, probably more than your own.
4. Pray Before, During, and After
If you know you will be going to your local abortion clinic the next morning, start praying the day before in anticipation. Pray for those with appointments. Ask that they change their minds and not even show up.
Turn off the music and the talk radio, and instead pray on your way to the abortion center. Ask God for His protection, and ask your guardian angel for guidance.
Obviously, pray while you are there. The prayer works. God will honor your requests, in accordance with His will.
And afterwards, prayer should be lifted. In thanksgiving for the chance to witness to God’s love and mercy. In thankgiving for keeping you safe. And for the women and staff and everyone involved, that their hearts would be changed.
5. Make a Commitment to Go At Least Once a Month
I hereby challenge you to make a commitment to go pray at your local abortuary at least once a month. Get into the habit.
Maybe organize a group to go from your Church every First Saturday morning. That’s totally doable. Go pray for an hour and then go out for breakfast or coffee as a group. Every First Saturday. You can do it.
6. Practice Penance
Finally, I cannot recommend enough the importance of practicing penance. Fast, add prayer, do something sacrificial, penitential. Do it in reparation for the sins of abortion. Do it in intercession for the babies scheduled to die. Do it for the conversion of the workers at the abortion clinics. Practice penance for our country who allows this holocaust and for our civil leaders to enact laws to change this brutality. Just do it.
If you need ideas for penances, just check out this prior post I did.
IN CONCLUSION
Please take this this to prayer.
If you have been to an abortion clinic to pray before, but haven’t been back in awhile, now is the time to revisit it. If you’re trying to muster the fortitude to go, just try it.
Your presence may be the saving grace for an unborn boy or girl. Your prayers may be the difference between a mother going into the mill, or not, as in the case of Pat Caraway.
You really have no excuse.
“So, could you not watch with me one hour?” –Jesus (Matthew 26:40).
YOUR TURN
Please let me know if you’re fired up and plan to go pray at your local abortion center.
Do you know anyone who needs to read this post? Please share it with them!
Can anyone attest by leaving a comment here as to why they regularly go pray at their local abortion mill?
What encouragement would you offer?
Any other thoughts you have?
I would like to hear from you.
Please sound off below!
