Despite the imposition of “buffer zones” outside abortion clinics to try to forestall pro-life support there, there are still eleven 40 Days for Life vigils running during Lent this yr within the UK. In order to maintain throughout the law, the volunteers must stay outside the 150m limits.
Individuals who pray silently in these zones without signs or campaign material have faced prosecution in plenty of high-profile, controversial cases. But when acting on behalf of the 40 Days for Life campaign, volunteers are sticking to the legal limits – although many volunteers consider the law to be unjust.
With the Goliaths of presidency, many of the media, and the abortion industry against them, these small gatherings of Christians in prayer are modern-day Davids in a seemingly inconceivable battle. What motivates them to exit on the streets, rain or shine, risking harassment and fame?
Clare McCullough is the director of The Good Counsel Network, a charity offering practical help and support to women in crisis pregnancies. GCN is running the vigil in Brixton this Lent, and supporting the long-standing vigil in Ealing:
“We are praying for expectant moms in difficult situations who’ve chosen abortion, asking that they could get to listen to about real help and support that may allow them to select life for his or her baby as a substitute.
“But we’re also praying for everybody involved within the abortion – the fathers, the families, the staff on the abortion centre – ultimately we’re praying for the tip of abortion. In our Pregnancy Centre, Good Counsel see so many ladies who turn away from abortion and keep their babies and we see the good blessing that is for moms. We just want every woman to have that likelihood.
“We are there for the ladies and their children because women and kids deserve so rather more than abortion and we wish them to have something higher; life to the complete.
“God is at work during 40 Days for Life especially, due to all of the prayer and fasting world wide, and we still see women selecting life.
“Pro-life individuals are very supportive of what we’re doing, but we’ve got noticed that a number of people now fear they will probably be arrested in the event that they come. There are over 100 people involved within the London vigils and we’re really grateful for his or her wonderful support. But we might love the hundreds of other pro-life Londoners to get entangled too.”
Livia Tossici-Bolt is awaiting a court verdict for standing silently inside a buffer zone holding an indication that said “here to assist, in the event you want,” acting independently. She also helps to run a vigil for 40 Days for Life in Bournemouth that stays outside the imposed buffer zone:
“Yes, I’m praying during this Lent period with a gaggle of volunteers and continuing to supply assistance to pregnant women and couples in difficult situations.
“This Lent all 40DfL vigils across the country proceed to happen, albeit outside of ‘buffer zones’. Among my volunteers there may be a way of mission, a palpable resolve to do the utmost to achieve out to women in a pregnancy crisis—and thus to proclaim the worth of the lifetime of the unborn.
“Those involved in pro-life prayer vigils are doing good work in giving women the offer of help to maintain their children. Many lives have been modified through this, and kids have been born who may not have otherwise been. I’m so pleased that enthusiastic young people have joined Bournemouth 40DfL.”
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce is leader of the Birmingham 40DfL vigil. On her own initiative when praying silently inside a buffer zone, she has been subject to 2 police arrests – although she received compensation for wrongful arrest after the Alliance Defending Freedom issued a claim against West Midlands Police:
“If you truly discuss with women going to an abortion centre, as I actually have talked to tons of of girls over a few years, many say that it’s not that they need an abortion, but that they don’t feel they’ve a alternative. It’s vital we’re there to supply support to maintain the kid.
“There can also be a spiritual aspect to it. Christians will in some unspecified time in the future meditate on the fervour and death of Jesus. Look at what Mary did when Jesus was dying? She stood on the foot of her son’s Cross.
“Jesus was essentially the most innocent, but abortion centres are also where innocents are being put to death today. Like Mary, we wish to face in solidarity and love with them, we wish to be there in prayer.
“People ask, ‘can I pray at home?’ But I believe it’s more vital to be there. Even if there may be only one person we help and a life saved, then it’s price it.”
Heather Tomlinson is a contract Christian author. Find her work at https://heathertomlinson.substack.com or via X (twitter) @heathertomli
