Notes from the Sidewalk - A First-Time 40 Days for Life Partner Shares Her Experience

Today was my first time praying in front of an abortion clinic as part of 40 Days for Life.

Everything about the hour was surprising. When I walked up to the front of the building, I couldn’t believe the sign. Complete HealthCare for Women. Abortion is Healthcare? Unbelievable. And beneath those words were the doctors names and the the words: M.D.

I was brokenhearted. I am sure those men and women went to medical school to learn how to save lives. What happened in our society that good intentions could go so wrong?

I prayed fervently for about 20 minutes for the doctors to have a change of heart, to wake up to the fact that every Life Matters, to realize that their God-given gifts could be used for good. I prayed for them to receive God’s grace and for them to know that with true contrition, all sins are forgiven.

I began walking up and down the sidewalk praying the Rosary for the mamas and babies who would enter the clinic. I asked God to take all my selfishness from me for the next 20 minutes so I could give every ounce of my being to prayer.

I think it is really hard to pray with your whole heart and mind -- distractions lurk and muddle. It was cold, rainy and dark in a not-so-nice area on Cleveland Ave., Columbus. The cars, trucks and buses whizzing by were loud and my mind began to race. I prayed that the people in the cars might pray along with me. Please Lord, use my witness to awaken somebody driving by. Hail Mary full of grace ...

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Then I noticed something odd. The windows on the abortion clinic weren’t normal. There was no glass; the windows were completely covered with what looked like white wood. Oddly and beautifully, each window had a center frame in the shape of the Cross. HOPE. By your Cross and Resurrection Lord You have set us free, You are the Savior of the world.

I continued praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. It was 8 a.m. and cars began pulling into the parking lot of the abortion clinic. Panic. Are mothers or workers walking into the abortion clinic? I couldn’t tell and I prayed harder. Please, please, please Lord let me be of some use to you this day ...

At the last Sorrowful mystery of the Rosary, Christ dying on the Cross, I grew peaceful with the reminder that He died and rose for us and He is with each of us right now. He created us, He knows us and loves us more than we know. Lord, I know in my heart that You will somehow bring good out of this evil.

I left the abortion clinic praising God for this experience. I am grateful to my friends at Greater Columbus Right to Life (GCRTL), Pregnancy Decision Health Center (PDHC) and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Plain City for their encouragement in this prayer ministry. I will be back to pray again. This is just the beginning. Nothing is stronger than prayer, nothing. Won’t you join me?

 ~ Lori Crock
Child of God, active Catholic, wife and mom, small business owner

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