Keep praying

. . . for abortion clinics to close and for post-abortive men and women who are suffering

Let's keep praying for the new Planned Parenthood facility that is being built in St. Paul to be closed, even before it opens in December. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the babies who we have not been able to rescue over the course of this ministry. Those babies have been aborted at clinics such as the one being built in St. Paul. But as Mother's Day and Father's Day approach, I am also reminded of individuals who are facing either of these special days without their children, due to abortion.

Thousands of individuals suffer silently due to a past abortion. Many sit in the pews next to you in churches across our nation. Some post-abortive individuals justify their "choice" and become very involved in supporting the abortion rights of women. Others try to "self-medicate" the guilt away through chemical use, self-harm, or by having lots of babies to "atone" for the child they aborted. Sadly, a number of men and women have chosen to end their lives by suicide due to their overwhelming guilt. For many, when abortion is chosen, it eats away at their peace of mind causing questions such as: Just how I could have done it? What kind of a person am I if I chose to kill my own child? And, what can I do now to escape the reality of my choice? As a post-abortive woman I have wrestled with each of those questions and even for a time became rabidly "pro-choice". I didn't realize that choosing abortion would haunt me for years and that even my best attempts to continue to rationalize and justify my "choice" would be futile.

I pray that those who are suffering due to a past abortion will come to know, as I have, that there is forgiveness and restoration in the Lord. Psalm 86:5 tells us, "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You." Jesus gave His life for us so we might be forgiven. Even if someone had an abortion as a Christian I John 1:9 encourages us that, "If you confess your sin, God is faithful and just to forgive your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness."

My heart aches for those who are suffering. I want them to discover that they don't have to suffer anymore. The Lord's forgiveness is a free gift (Romans 5:18) and is available anyone who asks with a sincere and contrite heart. Ps. 34:18 promises that "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." Our hope is to turn individuals from abortion before the act but we also want to minister to them with hope and help after the choice has been made.