A woman rushed around the outer fence of a Planned Parenthood building in Fairview Heights, Ill., and was followed by an uncomfortable man a few yards behind her. Their faces were clearly upset and on edge. They walked toward a small van in the parking lot and stepped inside. The man and woman stayed there for at least 10 minutes before walking out. However, when they emerged, they seemed to be entirely different people, smiling and holding hands. The couple didn’t turn into the Planned Parenthood building, like they came to do, but instead went to their cars and drove away. A feeling of peace settled on me as I watched them.
This is the experience that Priory’s Respect Life Club had a few weeks ago when praying alongside members of St. Anselm Parish in front of a Planned Parenthood center. Led by Father Francis, a small group of students rode the Priory bus after school to Illinois to peacefully pray for life. This excursion was a part of 40 Days for Life, an organization that is oriented toward saving unborn children whose lives are in jeopardy. Specifically, at this prayer session outside Planned Parenthood, 40 Days for Life provided reasons for those who planned to get abortions to keep their unborn children.
Besides volunteers praying outside the center with signs and rosaries, 40 Days for Life had set up trained volunteers at the entrance to convince mothers to choose life. They would speak charitably with the mothers and ask if they wanted a free ultrasound — in a van in the parking lot. This is what Priory’s group saw when a mother turned from her original course of action and decided to preserve her child’s life.
The importance of groups like this cannot be stressed enough, for through their courageous and sacrificial actions, the lives of the most innocent are saved. But it is not just those physically talking with mothers and fathers who influence the fate of unborn children, but those praying outside as well. Even a glimpse of a hopeful sign can be enough to turn a conflicted mother’s heart. You might think that to play any part in this, you must go out of your way to travel physically to an abortion clinic — and, of course, this is often necessary and highly beneficial — but your own simple prayers are needed as well. At home, at school, at sports practice, any prayer made for the poor unborn souls is of great importance.
Priory’s Respect Life Club for years has been praying outside abortion centers, but during my entire time at Priory I have never seen someone’s heart so dramatically changed, turning from death to life. It truly has had a profound and lasting impact on me, and I cannot express the internal joy and sense of peace I felt when I watched the couple leave. I know everyone with me on that day was moved, and I encourage more to join Respect Life Club to foster more events like this and to pray together for life.
Jesus said that some demons can be driven out only by prayer and fasting. So why not offer up your next workout for the souls of unborn children? Your next test? A painful experience? Jesus will take whatever you give him and put it to good use. You never know how much a simple prayer or sacrifice could affect someone — or even save a life.
