Pro-life Sidewalk Counselors Significantly Affect the No-Show Abortion Rate

A few days ago, a  very vocal “clinic defender” at the busiest abortion center in the Southeast told Cities4Life director, Daniel Parks, that the presence of our pro-life sidewalk counselors has led to a “no-show” rate of 60-70%. She stated it as though we should be ashamed. We are all rejoicing, and even more invigorated to proclaim life, offer the hope of Christ, and tangible resources to help women know there are far better options than abortion. That number seems inflated to me, but the “defender” said it was based on the clinic’s research. We know our presence affects the abortion rate because women leave and choose life and we help them with resources and mentorship programs. However, it was rather astonishing that the abortion defender thought we would be sorrowful over that fact...

On the wave of that encouraging news, I received a text from a beautiful mother who had just given birth to her precious daughter. She had gone to that very abortion center several months ago, feeling hopeless and confused facing an unexpected pregnancy. She took the literature I offered that shows fetal development through the entire pregnancy. It had my name and number on it. She went in to the center, but left, convicted by the information we provided that she should not take her innocent child’s life. Several weeks later, she called me. She could use help, and wondered if and how we could help.

We talked about many things, including God. She asked Jesus to be Lord of her life and quickly fell head over heels in love with her baby. She told me the baby’s birthday was the best day of her life. She also told me that if we had not been on the sidewalk that day, she would never have known the incredible blessing that now filled her life with joy.

She also texted that her mother flew in to town when she gave birth. I asked how her mother felt about the beautiful new baby. This was her response (my comments are in green):

All of us who speak for the unborn and offer the conflicted moms resources that can help them choose life know the truth. We know that God’s design for a woman to love her child is the only path that leads to joy. However, it was still an amazing encouragement to hear the abortion center corroborate that we are making an astonishing difference in the battle for the rights of the unborn.

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Psalm 119:92-93 

If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

Jeremiah 9:24 

But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Psalm 51:15-17 

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Luke 14:12-14 

  

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”