This week (April 23-30) is Coerced Abortion Awareness Week, which helps raise awareness that most abortions are unwanted or coerced and that abortion hurts women, men and families in our churches and communities. All this week (and throughout the year) churches and individuals will be working to focus attention on these issues, advocate for those who are at risk, and offer support to those facing a difficult pregnancy or unwanted abortion, and those who are hurting as a result of abortion.
Is your church participating? Are you? Here are five easy things you can do to take part in Coerced Abortion Awareness Week.
1. Share a copy of the Church Leader’s Kit with your pastor or other church leaders, and encourage them to teach and preach on these issues. The Church Leader’s Kit includes a copy of The Jericho Plan, our guide to helping pastors and preachers preach on abortion-related issues. Many pastors don’t speak out on these issues and as a result, many in our churches are left hurting and alone. Educating and involving church leaders is crucial to transforming our churches into places of advocacy, support and healing. You can get the kit by signing up for the Church Awareness Project in the form on the right side of this page.
2. Pray for those affected by these issues and invite others to do so as well. Use and share our list of prayer intentions with others: family members, friends, fellow church members and those in your social networks, prayers groups or other ministries. Consider joining others in a day of prayer and fasting for unborn children and the women, men and families who have been affected.
3. Download and share our special report, Forced Abortion in America, 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.
4. Write a letter to the editor or op-ed piece to raise awareness of coerced and unwanted abortions, the impact of abortion on women, men and families and to offer resources, support and healing. Use our sample templates and op-ed tips for ideas and information to create your own letter or op-ed. Mention that readers can find more information at www.theunchoice.com. Submit your piece to local publications or post it on your own blog or web site.
5. Download and post one of our educational ads or flyers on a bulletin board in your church, community center, store, library or other venue, or share it on your blog, web site or Facebook page. (Be sure to get permission and follow appropriate guidelines for any outside posting). Or share the personal story of a woman, man or teen who has experienced a coerced or unwanted abortion.
One more thing. Please consider making a donation to the Elliot Institute to support our research, education and outreach efforts, including the Church Awareness Project. Your support enables us to continue offering free materials like the ones linked on this page. You can learn more about our work here and make a donation here.
If you have other ideas, feel free to share them below!
Learn more about Coerced Abortion Awareness Week/Project Candlelight
Learn more about the Church Awareness Project
Excellent story about how we all need to pray and be loving and giving.