From Jill H: I arrived at the clinic a few minutes before 10 a.m. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, but the air was bitter cold. It was pretty quiet. Thank God the clinic was closed. It saddens my heart to think of all the lives that are destroyed by abortion: the babies, their parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Entire families and generations of people destroyed. One life makes a huge difference and everyone is precious and important to God. May God bring this chapter in the history of the world to an end. May peace reign in the hearts of all people once again. May all people revere and respect God who is Life. May they fear the consequence of their actions before they live a life of regret. May the peace of Christ be with all people who choose to pray and give public witness to the sanctity of life. Because of the bitter cold, I was only able to stand outside for about 30 minutes with my sign that reads, "Life is a blessing; choose life." I was pleased to see that after I went to warm up and drove by with my car, two men took station outside the clinic with 40 Days for Life signs. Thanks guys! God bless you!
Saturday, February 28, 2009 - DAY 4
From Jenny P: It was a beautiful, clear night, 25 degrees though. I should have been outside praying but, as I was alone, I stayed in my car. Half dozen or so people slowed down either at the back of my car to read my 40 Days for Life "Pray for the End of Abortion" sign or slowed down at the front of my car to read the Right To Life sign. They also saw my crystal cross with the small flickering lights around it (Father, Son & Holy Ghost is how I look at putting those three little candles around the cross ) and also my crystal "Footsteps" vase with my two small gardenia candles flickering away. As they drove by they could probably hear Fr. Payton leading the rosary and Dana singing after each decade, "Oh come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts, enkindle in us the fire of your love, come Holy Spirit, fill out hearts, enkindle in us the fire of your love." I really enjoyed myself praying for our precious unborn this evening... felt the Holy Spirit was with me the whole time and, of course, my darling guardian angel was there as always.
Saturday, February 28, 2009 - DAY 4
From Maribeth: I arrived around 8:30 a.m. and joined a very chilly, almost numb, Sue K, Christine U, and Margaret B, who had already been there for a while – and, come to find out, there were another 4 prayer warriors standing on the front lines before that! Thank You God for sending so many dedicated men and women to take their place on this battle field. The good news, the clinic was closed! Another thank You Jesus! We received many “thumbs up” and offers from the public (and a fellow prayer warrior, Steve) to bring us coffee or hot chocolate. Our hearts were warmed with just the offer!! I was later joined by Matt L and he and I said the rosary. Jill H then joined the front lines and took her stand.
Friday, February 27, 2009 - DAY 3 (evening)
From Jenny P: This evening, I sat in my car, just too windy out and snowing a bit (plus, I'm still feeling under the weather and didn't want to take a chance of making myself worse). I was the only one there. I used my Way of the Cross booklet from Resurrection Cemetery and sang "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord" after each station then said two rosaries along with Father Payton cassette with Dana singing after each decade. I placed the 40 Days for Life "Pray to End Abortion" sign in my front window on the right side and put my crystal cross in front of me with three small blinking candles around it and my "Footprints" crystal vase with two small gardenia candles burning in it, so those driving by could see me either reading the Way of the Cross booklet or holding my rosary and they could see the crystal cross, candles and the sign. Whomever went by definitely knew that I was praying to end abortion!
Friday, February 27, 2009 - DAY 3 (afternoon)
From Dianne B: When I arrived at 2:45 p.m., there were two prayer warriors already there: Tim and Shelley. As I parked, George arrived at the same time. Armed with my rosary, I joined them. Initially, I am always a little apprehensive about what may unfold during a prayer time in front of an abortion clinic, and this time was no exception (DARN that ENEMY!). But I know, without a doubt, that God has called me to this mission field, and I will not disappoint Him! It was bitterly cold with a wind chill that cut right through you. We were then joined by George's son's mother-in-law, who graciously went to the van for a sign and some hand warmers! Another prayer warrior came and invited us to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary with her. As the six of us prayed together, we were aware of the brutal wind chill and the horns beeping in support, as well as the shouts and gestures of disproval; but, a warmth seemed to encircle us as "where 2 or more are gathered in my name, I AM there!" When we prayed and meditated on the 3rd sorrowful mystery, the crowning of Jesus with thorns, we prayed for the grace of moral courage! That was it! I felt this conviction more than ever this day with only the love and tenderness that our Savior can bestow. I felt so honored and blessed to be among these fellow prayer warriors and to be a public witness for Christ and I felt empowered by the Holy Spirit with receiving the gift of a greater degree of moral courage! Every time a shout of profanity was directed our way, dear Shelley would say, "From their lips to the sweet ears of Jesus!" A young man drove into the parking lot, rolled down his window and yelled "What you're doing won't make a difference. It's a woman's choice." He didn't say it with anger, didn't use profanity, and then just drove away. But the look on his face left an impression on me. We were later joined by another woman who I believe stated she came all the way from Wyandotte! At the end of almost an hour of prayer, I left shivering (and a little numb!) but my heart was so overwhelmed with compassion and love for all the victims of abortion and its lies that my heart could not contain the emotion I felt as I drove home and heard in my heart our sweet Savior’s words: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Friday, February 27, 2009 - DAY 3 (afternoon)
From Ellen M: I arrived at 11:30 a.m. and the building looked empty except for the dentist. At 12:00 p.m. more prayer warriors arrived. Shelley, from Silent No More, also joined us. We even had new people who never signed up for hours. Tim came earlier in the morning and said there were three prayer warriors there earlier this morning. I only saw one woman go in the clinic about 2:30 p.m. – thank You God for a slow afternoon inside the clinic!
Friday, February 27, 2009 - DAY 3 (early morning)
From Sue K: My street is flooded, we are having a downpour. Thank You God; witness to the sacredness of life is stronger when the weather is not ideal. Arriving at the clinic I meet a prayer warrior from St. Peter’s in Mt.Clemens. I could only think, Jesus said that He would build his Church upon the rock which was St. Peter! These warriors from St. Peter’s are deeply committed. Another blessing, thank You, Jesus. We prayed together and shared faith stories. Then a mother entered the clinic…how we prayed that if she did not have a change of heart, that she would know forgiveness and healing. We placed her in the loving care of Jesus. Then at eight o’clock we were relieved by two faithful warriors a husband and wife team. May our presence bring grace and blessing to everyone at the clinic—staff, and victims. May our warriors remain steadfast in their commitment.
Thursday, February 26, 2009 - DAY 2
From Sue K: At 3:00 p.m. four students from De La Salle Collegiate arrived at the clinic to pray. We were joined by a student from Macomb Community college, a lady from St. Peter’s in Mt. Clemens, a gentleman from St. Martin’s, a lady from St. Anastasia’s and myself—NINE prayer warriors to witness and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and then the Daily Devotional and then the rosary. This was followed by the painful testimony of a lady who shared the deep pain caused by abortion. We hold her and everyone who experiences very personal pain of abortion up to our loving Lord of Life and pray for healing and wholeness. Before the nine dispersed another prayer warrior from St. Peter’s arrived for the 4-5 p.m. watch and pray time. There is a shared experience; we all are receiving MORE than we are giving to this effort to defend life. Without exception everyone recognizes that these have been blessed hours for us. We want you to bring blessing and be blessed, come, keep watch and pray one hour.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - DAY (6:00 Way of the Cross VIGIL)
From Maribeth: We had a wonderful gathering of prayer warriors for our first Vigil of the campaign. We used our official banner (thank you Dianne) and it looked great. I've included a couple pictures on the website. We recevied the usual good toots and angry yells from the public. We just smiled, in love, and continued our prayers. It was a perfect fit to begin this campaign with the Way of the Cross for the Vigil. As Jesus suffered for our salvation, we, as prayer warriors outside of the clinic and at home, offer up our sufferings for the innocent victims of abortion -- the babies and the confused mothers who are told a great lie. Let us continually remember the babies, the hurt women, the hurt fathers, the doctors/nurses and the clinic staff who choose death instead of life -- may the Lord open their eyes and hearts to the Truth. Thank you Vigil team for a beautiful prayer time.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - DAY 1 (morning)
From Ellen: I arrived at 8:40 AM and there were four cars there. About 10:00 AM a lady came and wanted to see how it would be to come out and be a Prayer Warrior. I explained everything to her. Later on two more ladies arrived-- it was also their first time. Then David B arrived. When one of the first ladies had to leave she came back in a few seconds; she was very excited, her rosary chain had turned gold from silver. It was a beautiful sight. Mary one said it happened when a van pulled up with two men and two girls. The one man wanted my sign and he said he would give it back. He was in a hurry and with the sign he shouted to the girls and held up the sign. Then he gave it back to me. Then a lady came and sat in her car for a while. We said the rosary. The lady got out of the car and walked over against the small side wall--she stayed there for a while and watched us. Then she came over to us and joined us in the last part of the rosary. There were about 10 cars there. The doctor came about 9:30 a.m. The last lady that came out was in really bad shape. The fellow drove the truck up to the door. It was high up and no running board so he had to lift her in. I got a donation from a couple that wanted to know what I was doing there with my "baby" in the stroller. I told them about 40 Days for Life. I was very glad that I went there today. God wanted me to be there for the New Prayer Warriors. Some people were scared to go, but when they left the were all going to sign up again.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 -- DAY 1 (12:00 a.m.)
From Maribeth: The Spring 2009 campaign has arrived and six of us (Colonel Tom, Jenny P, Sue K, Daryl S, Linda S and myself) gathered under the somewhat cloudy sky to begin the "praying for an end to abortion." We covered the area where we are to stand with prayers of protection for all prayer warriors who will come out to pray and be a witness to the public. With the candles glowing and our signs in hand, we began our prayer time with the reading of the daily devotional from the 40 Days national website. We also recited the Rosary and Divine Chaplet. After a few spontaneous prayers, we sang several songs and then ended with another devotional. During our time at the clinic, a police officer circled the parking lot a few times...making sure all was okay. Thank you Lord for our Police Force -- may they be protected while protecting us. The sky slowly cleared of the clouds and twinkling stars began to come into view. The Master of the Universe, who placed those stars exactly where they are, had His watchful eye upon us as we lifted our prayers for the women who are contemplating abortion to choose life; that the abortion workers' hearts would soften and they would choose life; that all prayer warriors and their families would be blessed and have a hedge of protection around them. Yes, the Spring 2009 campaign has begun...we thank You, Lord, for being there with us on the front lines.
February 2009 Front Line Happenings
Saturday, February 28, 2009 - DAY 4
Saturday, February 28, 2009 - DAY 4
Fom Sue K: Prayer Warrior Ellen stood watch not one hour but from noon till 3:00 pm. This leaves me speechless. She came well fortified with an edited copy of today’s devotional. Ellen’s version was complete with a beautiful picture of an infant. She had these wonderful copies preserved in a plastic sleeve for any warriors who would brave the weather. There were a few steadfast souls who came to pray and witness. After much solitary time, Ellen was pleased to give her well prepared devotional to Marina, from St. Ronald’s, her husband’s grandmother Lula, Andrea from St. Anastasia and Sue K. from St. Martin’s. While Ellen stood watch alone much of the time, she did wonder where the other warriors were. Let us remind ourselves to be steadfast in our defense of life. We were purchased at great price, with the blood of the Son of God. With this in mind let us persevere in our effort to defend and protect life.