“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” (Prov 3:5,6)
As we’ve mentioned before, even reading about the stories of lost lives and widespread exploitation, coercion, unwanted abortions and other issues can be a heartbreaking but important endeavor.
But prayer is powerful and it is the flame that will light the way and enlighten and uplift hearts, minds and souls. In His name, it will ultimately save lives, heal those already broken, and transform our culture from within. In the effort to “light one candle,” this is the important first light to illuminate the darkness … one prayer and one soul at a time.
Following are four ideas from the project and resources list that involve prayer. For more projects and education and outreach ideas, plus helpful resources, see the entire Project Candlelight list.
1. Pray for those impacted by these issues and invite others in your church or community to do so as well. Download, copy and distribute our list of prayer intentions to families, prayer groups, ministries, etc. Use these pro-woman/pro-life intentions at a prayer service, liturgy, Sunday service or other event. Use these encouraging scripture verses.
2. Hold a prayer breakfast, service or other event with a speaker from a local post-abortion healing ministry or someone who can share their personal story of abortion. Or read personal testimonies (find more here) from those who have been there. Use our list of prayer intentions and scripture verses to pray for those who are at risk of abortion, those facing an unwanted or coerced abortion and those who have been hurt by a past abortion.
3. Share and pray about excerpts from our Forced Abortion in America special report with others to raise awareness that there are women in your community who might be at risk for abuse, discrimination or violence if they become pregnant. Commit to praying for those at risk of pregnancy- and abortion-related violence and individuals and families already hurt. These stories are difficult but important to read. To end on a more hopeful note, share these scripture verses, too.
Post or have information on hand in your church about local crisis pregnancy centers or others who might be able to help women who are victims of violence (note: be sure that these resources will not encourage or pressure the woman to abort if she is in a violent situation). You can find a list of national resources here.
4. Consider a day of personal or group prayer and fasting for this project and these intentions, especially during Lent. Remember those still at risk of coercion and unwanted or deceptively informed or sold abortions. Pray for those already hurt or killed, often two at a time when mothers die, too, before or after abortion.
Return to the Project Candlelight list of projects, resources and ideas.
