A young woman walked through the first set of doors at Madison’s Planned Parenthood clinic to register. However, she kept looking back at a person praying on the sidewalk outside the building.
Minutes later, she walked out of Planned Parenthood without ever entering the waiting room, smiling as she left the parking lot in a red truck.
Laura Karlen of Madison’s new initiative, 365 Days for Life, reported this news on the very first day of the new program. Karlen believes a baby was saved that day, promising great things ahead through this new initiative.
Bringing a regular, prayerful presence
In January, Vigil for Life of Madison and Pro-Life Wisconsin Dane County began to bring a prayerful presence to the Orin Rd., Madison, Planned Parenthood every day it is open. The Orin Rd. Planned Parenthood is one of Wisconsin’s four stand-alone abortion facilities.
Looking to build on momentum generated by five successful 40 Days for Life campaigns and the derailment of late-term abortion plans at the Madison Surgery Center, the 365 for Life initiative looks to ensure that every woman who comes to Madison for an abortion has a chance of being offered hope by prayer warriors and sidewalk counselors.
Individuals and groups sign up for recurring two-hour shifts on a weekly or monthly basis on Monday to Wednesday between 9 and 11 a.m and Thursday and Friday between 1 and 3 p.m. Interested people can sign-up by contacting Laura Karlen at 608-445-2064 or laura@vigilforlife.org
Former Planned Parenthood worker’s conversion
Another example of a conversion to the pro-life side is found in the story of Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood leader who is now a pro-life advocate. Johnson’s story can be found in her book, unPlanned (available from Tyndale House Publishers and Focus on the Family). The book, which I just received last week, is the dramatic true account of Johnson’s decision to cross to the other side in the abortion debate.
Johnson was a volunteer and then an employee of Planned Parenthood. She counseled women in crisis, scheduled abortions, hired and trained staff. But she didn’t actually witness an abortion until she was asked to participate in an ultrasound-assisted abortion procedure for the first time.
When she saw “the entire, perfect profile of a baby” about to be aborted, Johnson was shocked. She could clearly see the arms, legs, and even tiny fingers and toes. She had the urge to yell, “Stop!” She didn’t stop this abortion, but she said to herself, “Never again!”
Besides the ultrasound experience, Johnson credits the peaceful, respectful witness of a local pro-life ministry with her change of heart. “It is their faithfulness and perseverance that help women face the truth of abortion every day,” Johnson said.
Her story and the examples of women who’ve changed their minds at abortion clinics prove that minds and hearts can be changed on the abortion issue. Let us all pray and work to help convert more minds and hearts to the pro-life cause.