In what appears to be an attempt to mock and pervert the pro-life community, Six Rivers Planned Parenthood of Eureka, California has launched a campaign that encourages “prayer” as a means to protect those involved in the “sacred care” of abortion.
Entitled the 40 Days of Prayer: Supporting Women Everywhere, the event seems to mimic the 40 Days for Life campaign, an event that is held in the United States and around the world, during which pro-life supporters pray outside of abortion clinics. The Six Rivers Planned Parenthood affiliate’s campaign brochure provides 40 different “prayers” to inspire mothers, escorts, abortionists, and all involved in the abortion procedure, to continue to protect and embrace abortion. The “prayer” brochure contains no mention of protecting the unborn.
A press release states that the Humboldt County Unitarian Universalist “Clergy for Choice” invites all to “set aside time with your family and community to support women and reproductive justice for 40 days from March 18th through April 27th.
The brochure’s “prayers,” for each of the 40 days of the campaign, are attributed to an organization called “Faith Aloud,” which provides counseling for abortion services and advocacy for sexual and reproductive rights. Some examples of the “prayers” are:
Day 4: Today we give thanks for the doctors who provide quality abortion care, and pray that they may be kept safe.
Day 14: Today we pray for Christians everywhere to embrace the loving model of Jesus in the way he refused to shame women.
Day 18: Today we pray for all the staff at abortion clinics around the nation. May they be daily confirmed in the sacred care that they offer women.
Day 21: Today we pray for women in developing nations, that they may know the power of self-determination. May they have access to employment, education, birth control, and abortion.
Day 25: Today we pray for women who have been made afraid of their own power by their religion. May they learn to reject fear and live bravely.
Day 27: Today we give thanks for abortion providers around the nation whose concern for women is the driving force in their lives.
Day 38: Today we pray for a cloud of gentleness to surround every abortion facility. May everyone feel calm and loving.
In response to Planned Parenthood’s “prayer” campaign, David Bereit, National Director of 40 Days for Life, said, “Planned Parenthood has stooped to a new low by exploiting pastors and churches to ‘celebrate’ the slaughter of babies made in God’s image and likeness.”