Currently, I’m praying and fasting for a couple of my friends who have recently experienced a miscarriage. I don’t usually talk about my fasting, but I thought I would share a little bit of it with you.
When my friends ask me to pray for something serious that is affecting them, I usually pray and fast. I fast for two reasons. The first, fasting helps me to remember to pray constantly for their intention. I don’t just want to pray once a day for my friend, I want to be in prayer all throughout the day. Secondly, I fast because Scripture states sometimes we need to incorporate both, prayer and fasting.
Mark 9:29 says, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” It has been a blessing for me since starting this in my personal life for people I care about. It doesn’t even seem like a sacrifice anymore. I willingly fast all of the time. In the beginning, it was a challenge, but I still did it. I didn’t mind, it was for my friends, people I cared about. I would sacrifice whatever I had to for them.
Would we do the same for the pro-life movement, for the babies, the mothers, and the fathers? 40 Days for Life asks its volunteers to pray AND fast. I wonder how many make that sacrifice for the entire 40 days. I know many do, but I bet many give up half way through and just say, “this is too hard.”
What else will we sacrifice for these children? Don’t they deserve our sacrifice?
As you all know, I do many speaking events. I am often asked to appeal to the audience for funds. In the pro-life movement, we do not receive over three hundred million dollars from the federal government like Planned Parenthood. All of the money we receive comes from private donors.
We ask for a sacrifice. So many times, I appeal to the people at these dinners and I see the women in the audience slip the donor card into their purse. I hear them tell their friend, “We are going to pray about it.” As if God is going to say He doesn’t want them to donate to the movement that is saving the children He creates. We make excuses for why we can’t sacrifice our treasure.
We make the same types of excuses for why we can’t sacrifice our time. We have kids. We have work. We have meetings. We have to get our hair done. We have parent meetings. We have church obligations. However, when our schedule frees up and we feel “called” to get involved in the pro-life movement, we will be sure to let someone know.
When are we “called?” We are ALL called. You are called right now. We are all busy, but we should make the sacrifice. When a woman finds out she is pregnant, you think she works her abortion appointment around her schedule? Nope. She drops EVERYTHING to have that abortion, but we are simply too busy to be there and witness to her.
No more excuses, not with our time or our treasure. People often ask me, “Abby, what groups should I stay away from? I don’t want to donate to Planned Parenthood.”
This is my answer. Donate to the pro-life movement.
It’s simple and easy. None of the money goes to the abortion industry. You simply don’t know where your money is going anymore. Susan G. Komen, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, American Diabetes Association, and so on… by donating to these groups, you’re donating to Planned Parenthood.
And do they have an excuse? Sure! Well, Komen says they only donate to Planned Parenthood so women can receive mammograms. That would be great, except there isn’t a Planned Parenthood on this planet that provides mammogram services! You can’t trust these organizations, but you can trust your local pregnancy center.
You can trust 40 Days for Life. You can trust the place where you get your pro-life news. You can trust your local pro-life advocacy center. You can trust groups that fight for true pro-life legislation. Make your sacrifices there.
Our kids are worth our time. They are worth every penny we donate, and more. These children are priceless. They deserve our very best.
Marauder says
I make baby blankets and hats for Birthright, as well as buying them baby clothes I find on clearance – my goal is to knit and give them 25 baby blankets by the end of the year, and I just gave them 8 through 15 the other day. The hats are fun because I can usually do about one a day if my schedule’s not busy and one every two or three days if it is.
I don’t fast, though, because my blood sugar has a lot to do with how my depression is doing on any particular day and I need to not be depressed in order to function in general.
Chip says
You’re right Abby.
“Prayer joined to sacrifice
constitutes the most powerful force in human history.”
-Pope John Paul II
The above quote inspired me some years ago to do the same and unite it to the Lords Passion. I do a bread and coffee/water fast
Wednesday – for life.
Monday – for my children & god children.
Friday – for our bishop and priests.
Sue says
Abby, just a note — I have followed you all this time, and just want to say THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING… FOR THEIR LIVES!!
You are in my prayers…
Anita @ Cedar Hill says
I just finished your book and it was AWESOME!! You answered a lot of questions for me about what is going through the minds of pro-choice people. I appreciate your prospective that most pro-choice people think that they are doing the right thing, and that often they are caring, compassionate people. It seems that the only way to help them change their minds is to do just what you said, love them and pray for them. Arguing doesn’t seem to do any good. Yours is such a wonderful story of redemption, well-written and very much a page-turner. I am so glad I found your blog. Blessings!!
paul says
hi abby, this is paul in dublin.ireland i think you are doing a great job
Barb Irwin says
I just read your book from my library and so appreciate the story of what God has done and is doing in, through and for you! I love your willing honesty throughout the process. That is what God wants of all of us. It is how we shall know the truth and is why it (He) can set us free.
God bless the work He is doing through you. I really am glad to hear of His using the kindness and truth spoken by others to work through and past your defenses–that and prayer is the only way. Have a good day, sis.