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Spiritual Warfare on the Abortion Center Sidewalks

Count on it. Satan WILL attack at some point when you make the brave decision to speak for the unborn at the last ditch place where that innocent life will live or die. Many of our volunteers report feeling they hit a wall of evil as they turn onto the street of the abortion center. The sense of evil is palpable. If we could see into the spiritual realm, we would see the battle lines drawn, the enemy forces preparing to join battle against God’s angelic army. I imagine it would be a terrifying sight.

What we experience in the physical realm will sometimes be subtle and pesky. The dog will vomit all over the white carpet five minutes before we are to hop in the car to leave for the abortion center sidewalk. The kid will spike an inexplicable fever. The AC will suddenly die on the hottest day of the year. A headache will develop that only increases as the time to depart creeps closer. The family members will bicker and fight. The list is endless but they will accelerate on days of service to God. Guaranteed.

Sometimes the battle is evidenced in very serious ways. Serious illnesses. Serious relationship fractures. Serious financial catastrophe. Serious disastrous news.

DO NOT give up despite these dire truths. If you do, Satan wins. I hate him too much and love God too much to let Satan have the victory.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

“In this world you will have troubles, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 6:33

““Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”” Luke 22:31-32

God wins. We can trust that if we are in the Lord, we WILL stand against the slings and arrows of the enemy. But we must take the battle seriously. Our adversary is powerful. He is just NOT as powerful as God. 

First, always put on the full armor of God as described in Ephesians 6.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

In essence, speak and know truth, know, speak, and live the righteousness of God, know and proclaim the Gospel, walk in faith, be secure in your salvation, know and live God’s word, and pray without ceasing.

That is how I prepare each morning before heading out to the abortion center, and honestly every day. We cannot share what we do not possess. We must sit at the feet of Jesus for extended periods, reading the Bible, meditating on it, memorizing it, and applying it. We need extended periods of prayer and supplication before God. We need to ask others to be in prayer for us as we head to battle for the Lord.

Different scriptures enable me at different times to meet different challenges. I don’t have one favorite. The word of God is living, and meets us with specific aid in the specific areas we will need it. I have found this to be true over and over again. Trust that the Holy Spirit will guide and direct and protect you as you enter the spiritual realm of darkness surrounding the abortion center. His light will pierce that darkness. His victory is secured when you present yourself before Him and say, “Here am I. Use me, Lord.”

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Examples of Hard Cases and How To Deal With Them

You will encounter arguments in favor of abortion based on difficult cases that will stump you. It happens to all of us. The more you can be prepared for how to counter the hard cases, the more effective you will be as a sidewalk counselor.

It is very important in prefacing any discussion of the hard cases with the understanding that an abortion is never necessary, and the unborn life is of value and worth. Implicit in every “valid exception” for abortion is the unstated belief that one human being is of greater value than another, and one human being can be legitimately sacrificed for another. 

Either every human being, born and unborn, is of unique and infinite value to God, or it is not.

When you begin with that premise, it is easier to argue confidently that no matter what situation you face, the unborn child should not be killed. A baby may die when a doctor tries to save the mother, but the baby is not intentionally killed, as in an abortion. That is a very important distinction. 

Below are some of the most common difficult cases we have encountered on the sidewalk. We have summarized the main points to support life despite these imposing situations.

 What if the woman is raped?

  1. Be compassionate. While the claim of rape may or may not be the truth, if the woman has been raped, she has undergone a terrible trauma.
  2. Rape accounts for less than  1% of abortions, yet is often raised as the reason that all abortions should be unlimited and legal.
  3. Two large studies show that 70 %  of moms of rape bring the baby to term. Of the 30% who abort, 78 % regret the abortion. None regret the choice for life. https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/raped-women-who-had-their-babies-defy-pro-choice-stereotypes
  4. Rape is a violent act against an innocent victim. So is abortion. How does someone heal by perpetrating violence against yet another innocent victim?
  5. The value of the child is not based on the circumstances of his conception.
  6. Personal testimonies of moms who were raped show the baby is often the one positive thing that happened out of that experience.
Vicky talks about how to deal with cases when you encounter an abortion patient who says they were a victim of rape.

What if the baby has Downs Syndrome?

  1. The baby’s value is not based on perfection as humans deem perfection. His value is based on the fact that he is made in the image of God, as are all human beings.
  2. Personal testimonies of the incredible joy/love that characterize people with Down’s syndrome are powerful and easily found on the internet.
  3. Often, the diagnosis is wrong. As much as 10-30% of in-utero diagnoses are mistaken! Always recommend a second opinion.
  4. To abort a child because of Downs Syndrome is discriminatory against people with a disability, the very thing most liberals (and others) protect in any other circumstance.

What if the Mother Will die?

  1. People like former Surgeon General Koop as well as many other doctors say there is never a medical necessity for abortions.
  2. A second opinion from prolife doctors will often voice how difficult cases can be safely managed. It is very helpful for any sidewalk ministry to have a list of pro-life doctors who have training in high-risk pregnancies.
  3. The potential for the mom’ s death is only a possibility. In abortion, the baby’s death is certain.
  4. The baby is not a mistake. Does God make mistakes? No. Trust God.
  5. The personal testimonies of moms with dire diagnoses who carry to term are very convicting of the value of choosing life and the power of faith in the face of tremendous struggle.
  6. Pregnancy sometimes HEALS diseases. The internet is filled with examples.
  7. In cases where the mom is treated for a disease (like cancer) and the baby dies as a result is not the same as abortion, a purposeful murder of an innocent child.
  8. Abortion to save the life of the mother occurs in less than 1% of all abortions.

What if there is a Tubal or ectopic Pregnancy?

  1. Read the research! Tubal pregnancy is not a death sentence. (http://www.personhoodinitiative.com/ectopic-personhood.html)
  2. There are babies and moms who survive ectopic pregnancy. Expectant management of tubal pregnancies can lead to positive outcomes for moms and babies!
  3. Treating the mom may lead to the baby’s death but that is not the same as the purposeful taking of the child’s life
  4. Significantly less than 1% of all abortions are due to tubal pregnancy.

What if the Baby Has Already Passed Away?

  1. Always know the mom might not be accurately representing the situation, though it is best not to tell her that suspicion!
  2. Be compassionate and remind her if that is the case, this is the last place to which she would want to trust her life. Abortion centers largely have terrible records and abortion doctors often have significant problems in their records as well. If someone wanted a child and the baby has died in utero, the worst place for that mom is in a facility where children are purposely killed.
  3. Recommend a second opinion. We have had women say they were told no heart beat was detected in the abortion center, yet when they came on our mobile ultrasound unit, we found a heart beat!
  4. A Dilation and Curettage procedure due to the baby’s death is NOT an abortion. It is clearing the uterus of lining and the deceased child to prevent infection.
  5. Always offer to pray with them. The sorrow of what they have endured may soften their hearts to the healing truth of the Gospel.
  6. Suggest low cost alternatives to the abortion center for the D and C procedure, and research those options in your community.
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Defusing Anger at the Abortion Clinic

As Gospel-centered sidewalk counselors, our goal should be to honor the Lord and be a peaceful and truthful presence on the abortion center sidewalks. We should be committed to proclaiming life, while glorifying God by our words and actions. Nonetheless, the Bible warns that the message of the cross and Jesus is offensive to those who are enemies of God. Despite how carefully the message is presented, the messenger is often maligned.

No matter how humble and kind you are, there will inevitably be times that abortion-minded moms and dads scream at you, swear at you, make crude gestures, and maybe even threaten you. Don’t let this scare you from going out to your local abortion clinic, because there are certain practical and Biblical principles that you can apply to help defuse the situation and avoid a nasty confrontation.

Learning to defuse angry encounters is critical for every pro-life sidewalk counselor. While the message is offensive to enemies of God, the messenger should strive not to be. Here are some important DON’T DO items to avoid escalation of tempers.

  1. Don’t resort to name calling. It’s not biblical and it rarely brings anything but anger.
  2. Don’t take anger personally. Quite often, anger is the expression of a person under the heavy conviction of guilt and sin.
  3. Don’t respond to anger with anger. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
  4. If requested to leave someone alone or stop talking to them, do so.
  5. Don’t respond to threats with threats. Back off. “It is honorable for a man to stop striving (or fighting), since any fool can start a quarrel.” Proverbs 20:3
  6. Never minister alone on the sidewalk.

On the positive side, there are things you can do to help calm a situation that has become volatile. Remember, Jesus Himself evoked enormous anger and confrontation. He nearly always responded with calm, and matter of fact questions.

  1. Immediately respond to anger with calm, confident statements such as, “Sir (or Ma’am), we are just trying to offer hope and help.”
  2. Ask questions, and listen carefully to the angry person’s response. “Ma’am, why are you so angry with me, I’m just here to offer help?” 
  3. Respond to the concerns voiced with gentleness, citing relevant scripture, and reiterating that we are there because of a true concern for the baby and the mother’s situation that would bring her to consider such a desperate act as aborting her own child.
  4. Let her answers convict her of her sin, rather than you whenever possible. “What would God have you do?”, “When it is okay for a mother to kill her own child?”, “Why do you think Jesus says ‘why do you call me Lord and not do what I say?’”, “When does the child in the womb become human and worthy of protection?”, “When did God begin to love that child in the womb?”, “What does the Bible say about the taking of innocent life?”, “Does the commandment ‘thou shall not kill’ come with exceptions?”, “Have you prayed about this?”, “Did you know that if you missed a period, your baby’s heart is beating?”
  5. ALWAYS videotape situations that are escalating. The mere act of videotaping will sometimes turn the angry person away, but it will be important evidence, if anyone is harmed in a volatile situation.
  6. Call police if there are threats of violence.
  7. Be sympathetic and echo back the deep frustration and pain expressed by the angry person. “I am sorry you find yourself in such a difficult situation.” “I understand you feel attacked but our intention is to help. Can we tell you our resources that we think might help you?” “It sounds like you feel cornered and alone. We want to offer you friendship and tangible help.”
  8. Remind them of the blessings of choosing God in difficult situations. “Ma’am, we know you feel you are in an impossible situation. Jesus promises us “come to me, all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give rest to your soul.””
  9. Tone of voice is critical. Confident, calm, and kind should be conveyed in our voice. We should be ‘pleading’, not demanding.
  10. If the worst happens, and someone is assaulted or harmed in any way, call police and file a report. Press charges. Our experience has been that if lesser aggression is not reported, it tends to empower the aggressor and puts all sidewalk counselors in danger.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, situations can become very confrontational. It is important to remember that the sidewalk of an abortion center is a battle zone. The battle is not between flesh and blood but a spiritual battle between the heavenly forces of good and evil. Prayer is critical. In the heat of a confrontation, bowing down in prayer may be the strongest antidote available. Prayer prior to and following ministry time is essential.

Personally, I would rather see anger than apathy. Anger shows me that there is conflict in the person’s soul. Many times, I have seen the angry person, if properly handled, slide from anger to grief,  then remorse, and finally repentance and submission. Anger is often an expression of fear or pain. God is at work. His word is powerful. Trust Him that seeds you have planted could be sprouting before your eyes!