With 40 Days For Life founders, David Bereit and Shawn Carney
40 Days For Life is a global program that takes place twice a year, one of those times being during lent. For 40 days straight, an amazing collection of Pro-Lifers show up outside of Planned Parenthoods and other abortion clinics everywhere to provide a presence of standing against abortion. Everyone takes their turns at scheduled time slots and stands outside for an hour or so. During the time we are outside of the clinics, we stand witness and we pray. This is the time when I like to use my rosary for life that I got in DC the day of the march. Each bead has a womb with a baby inside and each time you say it your prayers are multiplied by ten. Fr. Frank Pavone (President of Priests For Life) has agreed to bless my rosary, however I have yet to catch that busy man. In this time of prayer we compare the suffering the babies are put through to that of what Jesus went through. Most of the time we are outside of the clinics it is very cold! We bundle up as much as we can but it is very likely that our toes and fingers feel completely frozen by the end of the prayers. We choose to either bring signs or not, and face the clinic so we can direct our prayer to them rather than be distracted by what's going on on the street. 40 Days For Life was actually the very first Pro-Life activity I ever did when joining the movement, how I met my SFL family. I remember seeing friends drive by and stare at me. I felt nervous and even a little embarrassed. Since then, I have faced being yelled at, flipped off, cussed out, and even received a death threat in the five years I've been doing this. But just like Jesus, we have crosses to bear for good will. I remember one friend saying, "Oh please tell me you're not one of those crazy people who protest outside of the clinic!" "Why, yes I am... and proud of it! I was out there this morning and I'll be there tomorrow!" You see, even though we may face tons of negativity from people, any reaction is a good one. Our presence outside of those gates forces them to think about abortion when they might not have otherwise and it lets them know that we are thinking about it too. The women that may be going in to kill their children will think about this too. They will see our presence and feel our directed prayers. This is how 40 Days For Life has saved hundreds of children and women. After going through Stations with my Sunday School students too, it's clear to me that we must carry crosses for Jesus too.
So, this year, although for the first time since being active in 40 Days For Life I am now living far away from the closest abortion clinic, I challenge both myself and all of you to stand witness to this amazing movement outside of your nearest abortion clinic at least once a week. For those of you in or near Kalamazoo, MI, Students For Life from WMU will be at Planned Parenthood 4201 W. Michigan Ave. every Monday during this season from 5 to 6. I'm going to try to get myself and my group there during the weeks as well. Thursdays and Fridays are abortion days so these are very important for making an impact. Signs like, "Abortions are taking place here today. Please pray. " are very helpful. Free parking is available across the street at Alternatives Pregnancy Center, however if you do have signs they ask that you park down the street instead as to not scare away potential patients choosing life.
These are our crosses we must carry for life. Happy Lent!
No comments:
Post a Comment