A different view on how to pray at abortion clinics.. What do you think?

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AnneElizabeth

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Hi Everyone,
Code: 
This has been set on my heart for a while.   I was wondering what anyone else thought about it.   

A few years back, I did some praying at abortion clinics with my local pro-life group.    I'm really glad we did, but while there, I felt the positioning struck me odd.   We prayed facing the abortion clinic.   Please listen closely..    When we go to church, we pray towards the tabernacle.    When we pray to God on our own, I would assume, everyone like me 'faces' God in our hearts.    When I was praying at the abortion clinic, even though it was a peaceful confrontation (no yelling or mean -hearted things said), I felt that it was still a confrontational position in the eyes of those working there and going there and also strange to be facing the clinic itself.

My proposal is this...  Kneel and face away from the abortion clinics..   This way, it is  not confrontational to the people working there..  It also shows that by facing and praying away we are praying on THEIR (the abortion clinic workers and patients) behalf.    We are interceding and asking God for His mercy on them.  We are praying for the end of the horrors inside.

I just feel like facing the abortion clinic and praying is too "in your face" type stuff.  It could come across as threatening, warlike- even if it is done in a peaceful manner.   YES, abortion is HORRIFIC... But these people don't understand what they are doing... Otherwise, they would not be doing what they are doing!!!!!    We know that God opposes such actions, so why do we face this place and pray, like He is in there and we are praying to HIm like we do at church?
I hope I’m not nit picking about this, but I really felt called to ask what others felt about the change of position… That is, at least every group I’ve seen faces the clinics… Maybe there are some who don’t. I just felt it was more Christ like to stoop and defend all souls involved- not just the innocents, but also the ignorant too. (Like what Jesus did in John 8 with the adulterous woman) There is that saying that goes 'win more flies with honey than vinegar"… At least in my eyes when there praying I felt like “vinegar” (or confrontational) when facing and staring at those inside.

I’m wondering what do all of you think about that?
 
It’s definitely food for thought. I could see where the “facing-the-clinic” stance could come across as confrontational, as though we’re praying against them.

If you don’t mind, I might forward your post to my local 40 Days for Life committee.
 
I think that it has merit, but to be truthful I think it better to pray facing the clinic.

We should be peacefully confrontational. God’s light should shine through us to others. Our eyes are one of the greatest communicators of this. They should see our eyes, if they dare look, for it is God who accuses their heart, not us.

Just a thought…

Peace
James
 
prodigalson2011 said:
It’s definitely food for thought. I could see where the “facing-the-clinic” stance could come across as confrontational, as though we’re praying against them.

If you don’t mind, I might forward your post to my local 40 Days for Life committee.
Click to expand...
Oh please do! Its something that I truly believe God put on my heart, but I never spoke up about it just because I’m not one of those who are truly active in that ministry. (I’m not as experienced) But I do know what it is like to be on the other side of things (kind of) … I just felt it could be something that would lessen the tension, and open up communication- and get information to these people who work at clinics.

I mean, to us, we know why we are there and what we mean to do (we have loving hearts of concern), but to them, it might just look like an army surrounded them and is ready to ‘kill’ or beat them up. Know what I mean? Also, deep down in their hearts, they might already fear God because of what they do. They need someone 'in-persona-Christi" to stand in for them perhaps? (I’m sure it won’t work for all, but might help)
 
JRKH said:
I think that it has merit, but to be truthful I think it better to pray facing the clinic.

We should be peacefully confrontational. God’s light should shine through us to others. Our eyes are one of the greatest communicators of this. They should see our eyes, if they dare look, for it is God who accuses their heart, not us.

Just a thought…

Peace
James
Click to expand...
Hi James,
Code: 
I understand where you are coming from, but at the clinic themselves... those aren't the ones making the decisions as to whether abortion should be legal or not.   They are just there because it *has* been made legal.   By law, they really aren't doing anything wrong, and so in their minds they are not doing anything wrong.   Being confrontational at** that **level on the scheme of abortion I don't think would help.  Now being confrontational about abortion at a judicial level- Yes, yes and yes..   At the clinic.. no.   These are just people who fell for the lie because they trust the state because they don't understand God (well, I would assume most don't at least).  Win their trust, win their consciences by mercy and compassion, then the horror of abortion shrivels from the leaf to the root, baring no (evil) "fruit" of murder.
I have feminists and atheists in my family and friends. I know how they see things. Confrontation doesn’t do a lot to change their minds. It just makes one fight harder, makes a heart harder. Christians on the other are taught that if someone is confrontational with you, you are to at least hear them through to see if it has merit. (Its somewhere in Proverbs) These people don’t live by that law. You must reach them through some other way… Christ’s way. Mercy with the desire to save.
 
JRKH said:
I think that it has merit, but to be truthful I think it better to pray facing the clinic.

We should be peacefully confrontational. God’s light should shine through us to others. Our eyes are one of the greatest communicators of this. They should see our eyes, if they dare look, for it is God who accuses their heart, not us.

Just a thought…

Peace
James
Click to expand...
Oh- James, forgot to say…

There is also a difference between those women who are looking towards getting an abortion and those who work there (although in truth we cant judge the hearts of them either).
If I'm a scared unmarried pregnant poor teen and I see 'that look in your eyes'... that is not going to make me stop what I'm doing. You are just going to make more fear. I don't know about you, but try thinking straight when you are full of fear.... Doesn't really occur. You just MOVE when you are afraid. You don't stop to think because the perception is your life as you know it is in danger.
 
Oh and one other thing…
Code: 
We are Christ's CHURCH... that is HIS BRIDE... which is the female role, not masculine.   The female nurtures, protects, guides..   Think of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Think of mothers.   Christ, when He comes into their hearts, will convict them of their wrongdoing, not us.  We as His Bride must show that He is truly worthy to be trusted and loved with all our hearts.    I think even St. Paul said we aren't to judge the ones on the outside of the church, but only those on the inside, to keep it pure.
It first takes a mother to learn. Then the father guides with a strong arm. Not the other way around.

edited for grammar mistake
 
I want the women going into the clinic to SEE my eyes, to know that I am praying for them. If no one is going in or coming out, I sometimes close my eyes, and I sometimes pace back and forth, walking the block where the clinic is located. I understand where you are coming from, but to me, I am also FACING EVIL DOWN, which is Satan who wants to kill those babies which are precious to God.

How can we sidewalk counsel women if our backs are turned to them? :confused:

I look up at the 3rd floor of the building, where the surgical abortions are done, and I pray for the babies and the mothers, and the workers. I have to pray to be compassionate to the workers, and pray for them too.

I don’t think you should compare this to worship. It is praying on the site of horrifying evil. We’re not in church.

Oh, and by the way - praying is NOT confrontational. It’s prayer. We’re there praying as OPPOSED to confronting.
 
AnneElizabeth said:
Hi Everyone,
Code: 
This has been set on my heart for a while.   I was wondering what anyone else thought about it.   

A few years back, I did some praying at abortion clinics with my local pro-life group.    I'm really glad we did, but while there, I felt the positioning struck me odd.   We prayed facing the abortion clinic.   Please listen closely..    When we go to church, we pray towards the tabernacle.    When we pray to God on our own, I would assume, everyone like me 'faces' God in our hearts.    When I was praying at the abortion clinic, even though it was a peaceful confrontation (no yelling or mean -hearted things said), I felt that it was still a confrontational position in the eyes of those working there and going there and also strange to be facing the clinic itself.

My proposal is this...  Kneel and face away from the abortion clinics..   This way, it is  not confrontational to the people working there..  It also shows that by facing and praying away we are praying on THEIR (the abortion clinic workers and patients) behalf.    We are interceding and asking God for His mercy on them.  We are praying for the end of the horrors inside.

I just feel like facing the abortion clinic and praying is too "in your face" type stuff.  It could come across as threatening, warlike- even if it is done in a peaceful manner.   YES, abortion is HORRIFIC... But these people don't understand what they are doing... Otherwise, they would not be doing what they are doing!!!!!    We know that God opposes such actions, so why do we face this place and pray, like He is in there and we are praying to HIm like we do at church?
I hope I’m not nit picking about this, but I really felt called to ask what others felt about the change of position… That is, at least every group I’ve seen faces the clinics… Maybe there are some who don’t. I just felt it was more Christ like to stoop and defend all souls involved- not just the innocents, but also the ignorant too. (Like what Jesus did in John 8 with the adulterous woman) There is that saying that goes 'win more flies with honey than vinegar"… At least in my eyes when there praying I felt like “vinegar” (or confrontational) when facing and staring at those inside.

I’m wondering what do all of you think about that?
Click to expand...
Whatever position we take, whether we pray sidewards, backwards, in a circle, or pacing …it will still be seen as “confrontational”.
 
TheRealJuliane said:
I want the women going into the clinic to SEE my eyes, to know that I am praying for them. If no one is going in or coming out, I sometimes close my eyes, and I sometimes pace back and forth, walking the block where the clinic is located. I understand where you are coming from, but to me, I am also FACING EVIL DOWN, which is Satan who wants to kill those babies which are precious to God.

How can we sidewalk counsel women if our backs are turned to them? :confused:

I look up at the 3rd floor of the building, where the surgical abortions are done, and I pray for the babies and the mothers, and the workers. I have to pray to be compassionate to the workers, and pray for them too.

I don’t think you should compare this to worship. It is praying on the site of horrifying evil. We’re not in church.

Oh, and by the way - praying is NOT confrontational. It’s prayer. We’re there praying as OPPOSED to confronting.
Click to expand...
👍
 
Hi TheRealJuliane.

Please understand I never said stop praying at abortion clinics nor am I criticizing all the wonderful people who do this work- or even how they have been doing the work. I’m just saying we have to look at this from THEIR view. We have to know how we come across. If we come across wrong (meaning, they misinterpret our actions) then we have to learn how to talk their language so to speak. If we do not speak their language (as in body language) then we will not communicate effectively. That’s the whole point right?

If going to a clinic is only to pray for those babies then why do it in public? I don’t’ have to go to Afghanistan to pray for our soldiers. We are there to communicate. We communicate with our presence that it is wrong, but for one to really know it is wrong we should do it in a way that is how Christ would do it. I’m just questioning the way it is usually done… for more efficiency… Please understand that.
 
Santi2 said:
Whatever position we take, whether we pray sidewards, backwards, in a circle, or pacing …it will still be seen as “confrontational”.
Click to expand...
Probably so. Sadly, probably so. Just trying to make it seem less “confrontational”, or at least pique their interest as to why we aren’t facing them anymore but rather look some other way.

How did Christ speak to those who didn’t quite see the light? How should we evangelize towards those who don’t know Him?

I would agree with The Real Julianne- Perhaps if we had some facing away and some facing… might make them wonder ‘what for’?
 
AnneElizabeth said:
Probably so. Sadly, probably so. Just trying to make it seem less “confrontational”, or at least pique their interest as to why we aren’t facing them anymore but rather look some other way.

How did Christ speak to those who didn’t quite see the light? How should we evangelize towards those who don’t know Him?

I would agree with The Real Julianne- Perhaps if we had some facing away and some facing… might make them wonder ‘what for’?
Click to expand...
I think the idea has merit. Especially in regards to being able to make eye contact with people who would be entering any abortion clinic. My reason is that as a coach of many years it is clear the best way to keep the other team from scoring is to keep them away from the goal. So, if you can make eye contact with the women then you have a better chance to help them not go inside the abortion clinic.

God bless
 
AnneElizabeth said:
Hi TheRealJuliane.

Please understand I never said stop praying at abortion clinics nor am I criticizing all the wonderful people who do this work- or even how they have been doing the work. I’m just saying we have to look at this from THEIR view. We have to know how we come across. If we come across wrong (meaning, they misinterpret our actions) then we have to learn how to talk their language so to speak. If we do not speak their language (as in body language) then we will not communicate effectively. That’s the whole point right?

If going to a clinic is only to pray for those babies then why do it in public? I don’t’ have to go to Afghanistan to pray for our soldiers. We are there to communicate. We communicate with our presence that it is wrong, but for one to really know it is wrong we should do it in a way that is how Christ would do it. I’m just questioning the way it is usually done… for more efficiency… Please understand that.
Click to expand...
There are a lot of people who do pray off-site. Yes, we do go there to show the women that it matters, that someone opposes what PP does, and also to counsel them. I have never heard of any of the clients say that they felt people praying facing the clinic was confrontational in any way. I do not want to turn my face away from them because to my mind, THAT seems more like we are sending a message of rejection. I usually smile at the cars going in, although it’s sometimes hard to do. I try to say “hello” and offer them a free ultrasound or a free pregnancy test, in the bus right across the street. A smiling face, even when praying, shows that we are joyous in our Lord although saddened by the plight of the mothers, fathers and especially the babies.

I understand what you are thinking but I just don’t see how turning away from the clinic will help.
 
TheRealJuliane said:
There are a lot of people who do pray off-site. Yes, we do go there to show the women that it matters, that someone opposes what PP does, and also to counsel them. I have never heard of any of the clients say that they felt people praying facing the clinic was confrontational in any way. I do not want to turn my face away from them because to my mind, THAT seems more like we are sending a message of rejection. I usually smile at the cars going in, although it’s sometimes hard to do. I try to say “hello” and offer them a free ultrasound or a free pregnancy test, in the bus right across the street. A smiling face, even when praying, shows that we are joyous in our Lord although saddened by the plight of the mothers, fathers and especially the babies.

I understand what you are thinking but I just don’t see how turning away from the clinic will help.
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Fair enough.

I guess I just wanted to try it a different way and see it in a different light than you do as you do from me. I’m also following a another thread here on CAF on abortion- and in it someone basically said that people react to different things. Sometimes it takes confrontation, tough love, and sometimes it takes a softer approach. I guess it depends on the person.
 
Highwayhound said:
I think the idea has merit. Especially in regards to being able to make eye contact with people who would be entering any abortion clinic. My reason is that as a coach of many years it is clear the best way to keep the other team from scoring is to keep them away from the goal. So, if you can make eye contact with the women then you have a better chance to help them not go inside the abortion clinic.

God bless
Click to expand...
I guess Highwayhound, that is what I don’t understand… or question, that is. Why does eye contact work? Does it? I mean, when i went, I did that. I prayed and looked at them with the compassion I had for them in my heart… but it never seemed to do anything. They didn’t look at me at all.

I’m saying if it were me entering that building and I saw you looking at me, and I was scared already, I think I’d dash quicker into getting it done rather than listen.

If I saw a whole bunch of people kneeling, maybe even crying there, looking to the heavens, I’d question y’all and maybe come up and ask “What’s wrong?” For what reason are you crying/praying here?" Then I might have a conversation with you. But that’s just me- and I"m kind of daft like that anyway. If I learned you were crying on my behalf and that you really believed I was about to murder my child, I would listen, I would take in what you say because I’d see the concern on your face. I now realize its isn’t as simple as that and that maybe most ladies going in know what they are doing. Yet, I still think maybe 25% of the women going in there would be as daft as me. It could work. (Not saying anyone should pretend cry. We are to be genuine)

Please understand I’m not questioning your years of experience… perhaps I’m questioning “does that really work?” because of what I said above.

I also worry that looking towards the clinic seems like an attack. We aren’t there to attack them- especially the pregnant women. We are there to confront the evil that goes on there by making a stand, but we are also there to want to save souls with compassion!
 
please visit Monsignor Philip J. Reilly’s site, Helpers of God’s Precious Infants helpersbrooklynny.org/ and view the videos.he speaks to what you are talking about.my parish had Msgr.Reilly conduct a sidewalk prayer training session,please call and speak with them about conducting one.it is incredible.
 
Everyone has their opinions & since everyone is an individual, different things make for differring reactions. To me, turning away would send the message that we don’t think the ones entering are worth a look, like someone else said, rejecting them. Judging them, so to speak.

Looking into ones eyes with compassion also sends a great message, a look of disgust does not. I’m probably not expressing myself the best as I am getting over the flu but I hope my thought is somewhat clear.
 
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