The start of new week in the 40 day journey means a new focus for prayer.  This week my focus will rest on those who’ve had abortions.  I will be using the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary  (the resurrection, the ascension, the descent of the Holy Spirit, His glorious return*, and His reign over all the earth*) this week as I focus my prayer on the women who have had abortions.

This morning I spent the majority of the time meditating on the resurrection and on how that applies to the situation at hand.  Jesus, who willingly went to the cross for us, for our salvation did not stay on the cross or even in the tomb but on the third day HE ROSE AGAIN!  As I began to pray for the women who’ve had abortions, particularly here in Germantown, I became painfully aware of how spiritually dead these women are and how much they are in need of a resurrection.  They need a re-birth!  Those who promote abortion as something acceptable and justifiable and who claim that there is no repercussion as a result, I’m convinced, are hiding behind their own pain and trying to convince themselves, along with everyone else, that there is nothing to this act of murder that was just committed.  That might be an easier sell when trying to convince someone in the very early stages of pregnancy – you know, the whole lump of cells argument – which is really no argument, but that’s for another discussion.  But here in Germantown, when the babies are delivered by dismemberment every Wednesday, you have to be so emotionally shut down and spiritually dead to be able to walk away from that scene, what else could you think?  These women are in need of a resurrection in their spirits; they are in need of a re-birth.  They need to be awakened, not only to the great offense they have committed against their creator, but also to the healing and reconciliation that is available to them as well.

Below is a devotional by Kevin Burke, Executive Director of Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries that touches on this idea of seeking healing and restoration for women who have had abortions.

INTENTION

May the King of the Universe, who entered this world as a helpless infant, give us the humility to be healed.

SCRIPTURE

My power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

REFLECTION

The great mystery of the Humility of God is very near and dear to the mission of those serving in pro life and in a special way, post abortion ministries across this nation.

For those wounded by their participation in abortion, the door to healing often feels like crossing an abyss of great fear: fear of judgment, fear of being torn apart by the pain, by self hatred and rage at those who hurt and abandoned you, and manipulated you in your time of temptation.

The door to healing is humility. It is born in the inability to no longer control the pain, to live with the consequences of that tragic decision to reject life. The heart cries out, “I have committed a grave offense against my Creator and I am consumed by regret, grief and sorrow!”

Jesus proclaimed, “I am the Vine, you are the  branches” (John 15:5). To bear the greatest fruit, the branches must be pruned. Each level of pruning of the vine requires a deeper level of humility so that we can abandon ourselves to His will.

This is not a lofty theological concept as much as it is an earthy experience of pulling weeds, tilling rocky soil, pruning and healing the vines. “If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and begin to follow in my footsteps” (Matthew 16:24).

PRAYER

Lord, during these forty days, we ask that with each day of this sacred vigil, everything in us that separates us from your perfect will would be pruned from our hearts and souls.
In this blessed freedom may we experience a powerful anointing of your Holy Spirit. Filled with confidence and trust may we proclaim with the mother of Jesus, “Let it be done to me, according to your Word.”  We pray also for those who have participated in abortion, that they might find a way to humble themselves and come to you.

(*these last two glorious mysteries are not those traditionally used)