Today was my first day to stand in front of the North Texas Planned Parenthood as part of the 40 Days for Life. Here are some random thoughts about the experience.
1. This was probably my first public (in full view of all) activity as a Christian (at least while in America).
2. I was the only non-Catholic.
3. Everyone was very diligent to pray instead of chat.
4. Everyone was very friendly.
5. Many people waved when they saw our signs. I guess I expected more negativity as people passed by.
6. The PP building was depressing to look at. It reminded me of one of those pitiful free vaccine places.
7. I am looking forward to going back and praying again next Sunday.
8. I am grateful to live in a country where we can peacefully pray without harassment.
5 comments:
Frances,
Glad to read that you went down to participate in prayer and public Christian witness in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion mill in North Texas.
I got involved in the Right-to-Life movement in 1972 when I was living and working in Des Moines.
This included various types of volunteer work and efforts. It was not until June 23, l979 that seventeen of us participated in the first public picketing protest in front of an abortion clinic in Des Moines. (This was a privately run abortion business.) We 17 protestors at that first anti-abortion picket in Des Moines were divided about evenly between Roman Catholics and protestants.
From 1979 through 1992 I helped picket and pray a considerable number of times in front of Planned Parenthood and other locations where abortions were performed.
Since taking early retirement in 1992 and moving back to my rural southern Iowa county roots, I have not had the occasion or opportunity to do much of this sort of activity. In recent years I have also been hampered by surgeries and health problems. I still support the Right-to-Life movement and am glad that others are continuing with efforts ranging from pregnancy help centers to public "street activity". Although there has been picketing, sit-ins, counseling, and prayer near abortion businesses around the country for years, I think the "forty days of prayer" effort is only a year or so old?
You mentioned that we are fortunate to be able to pray in public. Yet, you have probably read over the years, as I have, that even simple prayer and protest near abortion mills or homosexual parades have resulted in the arrest of some Christians and that there has been ongoing efforts by abortion, homosexual and other liberal groups to restrict public Christian witness more and more.
Raymond,
Nice to hear from you as usual.
I think you are right; the first national 40 Days for Life was one year ago. There have been three: Fall 2007, Spring 2008, and Fall 2008.
Yes, I am aware that public witnessing is getting more difficult. In fact, NY City is trying to pass a buffer zone law to keep prayer vigils at least 50 feet or so from any abortion clinic site.
What did you mean by, "At least while in America"? Have you ever lived in another country?
Matt,
I have lived in Mexico, but that is not what I meant.
I worked for a summer at the youth camps of Ukraine teaching Bible lessons. That was somewhat in full view of all as we had to walk through town to get to the camps. People were curious about the large group of Americans and often asked us what we were doing.
Okay, gotcha.
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