5 Ways to be Pro-life When You Can't Visit an Abortion Clinic

Say the words 'pro-life activism' and the first image that pops into mind is usually a sign or Rosary wielding person, or someone trying to talk to abortion minded women**, standing outside an abortion clinic.

But what if you don't live near an abortion clinic or you're simply not in a season of life where you can engage in this type of activism?

There are still several things that you can do.

1.) Support the pregnant women, single mothers, and mothers of young babies in your life.

Abortion relies on the fact that we live in a culture where it's difficult to have a baby. Beyond the obvious physical strain and needed recovery time of pregnancy and childbirth, a support system is hard to find. In older cultures, it was customary for a new mother to have little responsibility beyond caring for her newborn in the first month or so. In our culture, she's considered fortunate if her husband can get even a few days off of work to help her before she has to return to her normal household duties- on top of caring for a newborn baby and recovering physically from childbirth. If she's a single mother, she has even less support.

So make an effort to offer what help you can. If they live nearby, take them a meal, or stop by and fold a load of laundry. If they live further away, purchase a delivered meal for them, or send a care package. Do what YOU can to change the culture, even if it isn't much. It all adds up, and it can mean the world to a new mom just to know someone cares. 

2.) Donate to pregnancy resource centers and/or maternity homes in your area.

If you can't afford to do this financially, see if they accept or need donations of baby clothes or equipment. Or ask if they will accept maternity clothes. If you happen to be good at landscaping, offer to come mow the lawn or trim the shrubs. You get the idea.

If there's no pregnancy resource centers or maternity homes in your area, support another charity that helps mothers and/or young children- like a foster care supply charity, a food pantry, or a children's shelter. 

For something slightly outside the box in terms of traditional pro-life charities, there's also an organization that helps abortion workers leave their positions and find work elsewhere, and one that funds mobile pregnancy resource buses that park outside of abortion clinics. 

3.) Love pregnant high school and college students, and refuse to engage in shaming or gossip.

This population of pregnant women are especially vulnerable. Most people are already judging them for being 'sl*ts' and telling them they've thrown their lives away. Perpetuating this drives them straight into the arms of the abortionists.

 Don't do this.

Instead, seek to empower and support them. Remember that while the events that led to the pregnancy may have been sinful, the condition of pregnancy outside of wedlock is itself not a sin (for proof, see Mary the mother of Jesus, the penultimate icon of virginity and purity, who got her start as an unwed teen mother). 

Again, pregnancy in and of itself is never a sin. Don't treat it like one.

4.) Educate Yourself

This one is really important. Don't limit yourself to pro-life biased sites or sources (either religious or political conservative). These can be good resources for current news on pro-life issues and happenings in the movement, but they offer an incomplete picture.

 Paying attention to more mainstream and even left leaning reporting on abortion is important because it helps you understand where pro-choicers are coming from. Why do they think abortion is a 'right'? What are their concerns? What are the Pro-life answers to those concerns/viewpoints? What problems do they think abortion solves?

You have to understand where a person is coming from be able to dialogue with them. Some of the concerns and points that pro-choice people make are legitimate ones that merit real concern and answers. Keep in mind that many people who support and even work in abortion do so because they believe it's something good and that they're helping people. Understand why they feel this way, so that if a chance for dialogue comes around, you're prepared.

 A quick note on dialogue:  when you talk about abortion with female pro-choicers (even online), keep in mind that they may be post-abortive. Be compassionate towards women who have ended up having abortions-- they often felt trapped by their circumstances, and after the fact, their experience often fuels their defensiveness of abortion. They don't want anyone to be 'trapped' like they feel they almost were, and they see abortion as a needed escape route from horrible circumstances. Research on ways to empower women through these circumstances so that they can go through their pregnancies with dignity and support, and support those people and charities who help them find this (see the first two suggestions on this list). 

I suggest reading up on some good anti-abortion apologetics. Know the philosophical 'whys' behind the movement. I also highly recommend reading works by former workers in the abortion industry-- know what abortion actually looks like . Pro-choicers often don't know that information.

5.)  Pray

Sounds trite, I know, but it does make a difference. Even if you aren't in a position to do anything else on this list, chances are that you can still pray. 

During their bi-annual campaigns, 40 Days for Life sends out daily news and devotion emails. These might be a good reminder for you to pray, or may help you keep focus. Many people also fast from something they enjoy during these campaigns. The solidarity that comes from knowing you're not the only one praying and sacrificing for a cause can be very helpful in staying committed to it. 

The Knights of Columbus have been encouraging people to pray the Rosary to end abortion for decades now. If you're Catholic, give it a shot. Many people find that the repetitiveness of the rosary makes it difficult to stay concentrated on the prayers, and the time commitment makes it difficult to fit into their daily routine. Praying along with a recording (here's one on YouTube) while going about your daily chores is one way to address these concerns-- and yes, it definitely still counts. Even if you have to clean up a toddler poop mess halfway through (been there, done that, ruined that T-shirt). 

Hopefully, this has inspired some ideas about how you can help make our culture a more pro-life one. 

Everyone can do something. And everyone should. 

**If you are in a season of life where you feel called to sidewalk counseling, I highly recommend going through some training first. You want to encourage dialogue and offer support, not be an intimidating judgmental presence.  Training helps you learn from the mistakes of others, rather than making them yourself.