Pro-Life Warrior Shawn Carney Says Now is When America Starts to Heal
For weeks we’ve been on the edge of our seats, anxiously awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in the monumental Dobbs vs. Jackson case. We can exhale as America finally rights its wrong and overturns one of the most abhorrent laws ever created in our country.
While we rejoice and thank God for this huge victory and tremendous moment in our nation’s history, let us also remember that no one has really won anything here. There’s no “we were right all along” or pointing fingers. There is only moving forward. The real victory stems from a place of humility as we extend love, mercy, forgiveness and hope to those who have been wounded by abortion.
Across America, there are tens of thousands of women who have suffered through abortion and are still suffering today. The 60 million babies who have been aborted in our nation since 1973 represent millions of women who endured this vile procedure and carry the weight of it. Those 60 million babies also represent millions of men, family members and friends who were complicit in it. And let’s not forget the doctors and clinic workers who had their role to play as well.
No one grows up wanting to get an abortion and no one grows up wanting to work in the abortion industry. There are hundreds of millions of people in our country who have been affected by abortion in some way. Many of them are hurting. Some deeply regret it. Some didn’t know any better and some didn’t have a say in the matter.
At 40 Days for Life, when we commence a prayer vigil or a 40 Days for Life campaign outside of an abortion facility, it’s our aim to be the hands and feet of God on the sidewalk, offering mercy, support and alternatives. We show the same love and support to women who exit the clinic as we do to a woman who chose not to enter it.
Although the SCOTUS decision to send the issue back to the states is a huge victory, the real win is the opportunity to build upon grassroots efforts to share God’s love for each and every life. He created and paved a path to hope and healing for those who are hurting. Through prayer, community outreach and a consistent, peaceful presence outside of abortion clinics in both red and blue states, we can demonstrate God’s grace and goodness to would-be mothers and the precious children this decision has rescued.
This moment in history marks the beginning of a new and different era in the fight for life. Let’s rejoice, but also resolve to remain steadfast in asking God to guide and direct our next steps in what is now a state-level battle.
I believe this is the beginning of the end of abortion. {eoa}
Shawn Carney is the co-founder, president and CEO of 40 Days for Life, a pro-life organization that holds campaigns across the United States and around the world. Carney is the co-author of the new book, What to Say When: The Complete New Guide to Discussing Abortion, which gives pro-life supporters practical advice for engaging individuals in a civil and educated discussion as abortion arguments get more extreme and bizarre.
