The March for Life is only the Beginning of The Fight for Life

  Pro-Life Advocacy Beyond the March

I’m passionate about energizing, and in some cases reenergizing, like-minded pro-life friends and acquaintances to mobilize and flood the sidewalks of our local abortion mills. How? By witnessing to the life-saving truth. The truth as to what really happens behind those closed doors at the slaughterhouses. The truth that women do have alternatives to killing their babies. That there are life-affirming solutions. The March for Life signifies just the onset; the actions that follow the march bear profound impact. 

Time for the Church to Recommit

Haven’t you had enough? I have. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time for the church to recommit. Time to literally take a stand against the atrocity of abortion. Time to eliminate the excuses as to why we can’t show up. Excuses like it’s too cold, too hot, too wet, too far, and I don’t have time. Rain or shine, sleet or snow, isn’t it time to get out of our comfort zone and let the excuses go. Babies are dying, they need us and we can do something about it.

Understanding the Church

Often we think of “The Church” as a building. Yes, the church can be building, however not everyone worships in an enclosed building—even today. The word Church in the Bible comes from the Greek word ecclesia, which means assembly or company. We are a community of believers. We are the church universal. We, you and I, are the church.

The Impact of Showing Up

According to Shawn Carney, CEO, President, & Co-Founder of 40 Days for Life, former Planned Parenthood workers tell them that the no-show rate for abortion appointments can go as high as 75 percent when people are outside an abortion mill praying. 75%! What are we waiting for? Isn’t it time for the church to wake up and “just show up”?

The Importance of Consistency

In business trainings, from business coaches and even the book “I Heard God Laugh” by Catholic author Matthew Kelley, I keep hearing the same message: “Just keep showing up”. What does that mean? Intentionality. Consistency. Not sporadic. Doing the simple mundane things daily or at least regularly over and over again—adds up.

Committing to a Schedule

It doesn’t mean you have to show up all day or every day for that matter. It simply means, you make a time commitment to be there regularly. Weekly, monthly or bi-monthly. It could be for fifteen minutes. It could be for an hour or two. Showing up is an action. I’ve witnessed alongside prayer warriors that have driven several hours to be there and come periodically along with those who stop by on their lunch hour for fifteen to thirty minutes regularly.

Making a Difference Together

One person can make a difference. You and I can make a difference. Are you willing to be a voice for the voiceless—the preborn? Our combined efforts can change hearts and minds ultimately saving lives.

The Staggering Statistics

According to the stats at numberofabortions.com, we are just under 63 million babies aborted since Roe v. Wade in the United States alone. Staggering. The shocking number worldwide is 1.6 billion. Yes, billion with a “B”. The site also notes the following: The abortions in the counters on this site are almost all “surgical abortions”. We have made no attempt to tally the totals for “chemically-induced abortions” here. The Pharmacists for Life organization estimates that there have been approximately 250 million babies aborted chemically since 1973 in the USA. 

The Power of Presence

It’s a fact, many abortion-minded women say they prayed for a “sign” as they made the gut-wrenching decision to abort their baby. Often, your presence is “their sign” and they simply drive right by with a changed heart. We know this to be true, as many mothers come back to visit with their babies to say your prayers saved my baby and thank you for helping me choose life.

Where is Everyone?

So where is everyone? Sadly, the largest “March for Life” looked quite different this year. The annual rally that was initially scheduled for January 29th, 2021, in DC was forced to go virtual for the first time since its inception in 1974. This was a unique year, to say the least. But all’s not lost! While the march is a huge witness to life, the greatest witness happens all year long by witnessing right in our own backyards—at the death camps.

March for Life Participants

Varying articles online indicate there have been as many as 400,000 that have participated in the annual March with one of the largest turnouts in 2013, the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade—some abortion opponents claiming as many as 650,000 marchers. Who attends the march? Men and women both young and old from across the country. High school and college students traveling by bus with Catholic and Christian schools, churches, organizations, and youth groups. Many pro-life groups offer sponsorships footing a portion or all of their travel expenses. The march is a springboard and breeding ground for much greater things—initiatives are born and plans are made that will then take place in our own communities.

Bridging the Gap

Where did all the people go? If the numbers attending the march are accurate, we should have hundreds of people witnessing at the countless abortion mills regularly. But sadly, for the most part, we have just a remnant of the same people that show up week after week. What about you? Your church? Are you willing to make a commitment to just show up?

Getting Involved

While 2021 was indeed a unique year with regard to the march itself, you can still get involved! The march was not intended to be a one-and-done event. The lives of innocent precious babies are taken every day. Today. Right now. This second. A life has been lost. The work to protect the preborn never ends.

Joining Pro-Life Efforts

Join efforts like the internationally coordinated 40-Days for Life campaigns which are held twice a year along with other “ongoing” efforts held by Pro-life Michigan, Citizens for a Prolife Society, and numerous others across our nation. What they all have in common, besides being advocates for life, is they need you, the church—to show up.

Taking Action Locally

Let’s get some boots on the ground! Pro-lifers unite! Mobilize your family, friends, and churches. Save lives. If you are physically able to join in public witness, I encourage you to contact your local church. Inquire who their pro-life rep is or contact your state’s Right to Life organization. They can direct you to like-minded individuals or affiliates in your local area, connecting you with groups that have established organized prayer times and locations.

Preparing for Witness

Be sure to ask where to park and if premade signs are available. Inquire about specific guidelines such as where you can and cannot stand. Then commit to standing vigil for an hour a week, a month, or whenever you can to pray and witness to life. 

The Power of Collective Action

Imagine the possibilities if every proponent for life spent just one hour a month in prayer and witness! Will you be the light? Defending life, one hour at a time, can make a significant difference in the lives of the voiceless and vulnerable. Together, we can create a movement of change and save countless lives.

Will you be the light? 

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” –John 1:5

Defending life,

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