God’s been telling me to do this, and I’m both really excited and really scared. I’m a senior in high school and will be going with two other friends (at least) to pray outside the abortion clinic that’s 2 hours away on Monday, the 26th of October (my school’s day off). Me and the two other confirmed girls are really intensely ready to do this. Either the pro-life lady from my church or my mom will be there for guidance, but this is our initiative.
God bless you for your witness to the Truth.
The first thing you need to do is know the law in your city. Some cities have “bubble zones” around clinics. You need to know your city ordinances regarding such things. Also, know your right to be on the public sidewalk. Know the law about permits for gatherings.
If there is already a pro-life presence at this site simply ask those who are there. Or call the local pro-life group that prays there. Or call your state Right To Life organization and ask.
It is important to know what not to do. It is equally important to know what is permitted. I’ve had “escorts” flat out lie to me telling me I couldn’t stand where I was standing in an effort to intimidate me. But, knowing the law I knew that what they were saying was untrue and I continued to stand exactly where I was and ingored them.
Does anybody have any advice to help prepare me for this??
Go to confession and receive the Eucharist as close to the time you will be there as you can. Be armed spiritually. Say the prayer to St. Michael before you arrive.
Specifically gory or non-gory signs, do we yell out, please don’t!, or what??
There is a difference between prayer presence and sidewalk counseling. If you want to do counseling, I suggest you get trained from a local pro-life group. It’s emotionally intense. There are methods that are more effective than others, and there are also things you can say that are absolutely ineffective and can be harmful.
When you are praying, focus on the prayer. Your witness will be silent but powerful.
If you feel called to talk to the women,
be kind. Don’t yell. Don’t say “Don’t do it” or “don’t kill your baby”. A woman going into an abortion clinic has already mentally aborted her baby. You want to reconnect her to the fact that she is carrying a baby. Instead, say “I’m praying for you, Mom.” “We can help you, Mom.” “We love you, Mom.” (Call them Mom whenever you can).
Already we’re being “persecuted” by our so-called friends at school, who are really tearing us down, cussing us out, and saying the worst things about us. This only reinforces how much we need to do this.
Thanks in advance for all the help!! I really appreciate it!
Most women going into abortion clinics are young and seeing young people out there is important.
If you want to evangelize your friends, start with Randy Alcorn’s book Pro-Life Answer to Pro-Choice Arguments. Become a skilled debater and shatter their pro-choice rhetoric. I guarantee most have never gone below the surface on why they believe they are “pro-choice.”
