Waging War

So much of what happens in this ministry looks physical... We strive to have a strong online marketing presence so that women can know we are here and offer physical services that they need. We offer ultrasound services so that women can physically see their growing, developing babies in the womb. We desire that our clients physically choose life-affirming options of parenting or adoption. We want our moms to be physically prepared to raise a child, so we help them with acquiring material items through the Empowerment Program. So much of pro-life ministry truly is physical. Women facing unplanned pregnancies need many facets of physical support before, during, and after having their child. But beyond all of that... there is a much greater battle occurring that is unseen. Beyond all of these very real physical needs and concerns are even greater spiritual needs.

Every time a woman reaches out to us with the thought of abortion on her mind, there is a spiritual battle being waged behind the scenes. Many times, even from the initial phone call or text message, it is clear that she is struggling, confused, and desperate. We've seen clients this year walk through our doors literally shaking with fear at the thought of possibly being pregnant. We've sat with women in our counseling rooms as they weep with regret over their situation. There are always physical hindrances to women facing unplanned pregnancy, like homelessness, lack of finances, little or no support from the father, etc. But ultimately, a woman making the decision to carry or abort her baby is not primarily a physical decision. As believers, we know that the war being waged between life and death has always been a spiritual battle- all the way back to the Garden of Eden.

In Genesis 3, we are introduced to the serpent, who "was more crafty [cunning; deceitful] than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made." And as soon as the serpent arrived on the scene, the first words out of his mouth then and still today are intended to do one thing: cause doubt in our hearts regarding the goodness and trustworthiness of God. He will use any means necessary, often appealing to the desires of our eyes and the unmet expectations of our emotions to lead us into whatever form of doubting God that he can. "Did God really say..." is still his favorite line. Did God really say that the baby in your womb is a living, breathing human? Did God really say that you can be a mother? Did God really say that you can provide for a child? Did God really say that you are worthy of love and respect? Did God really say that abortion is bad? Did God really say that you can parent a child and get your degree? Did God really say that you can have a fresh start? Did God really say...

These are the lies being sold to very vulnerable women in very difficult situations by the enemy of their souls. The enemy of our souls. Satan hates the work that we do. He hates when women are empowered to be the mothers and wives that God has called them to be. He hates the light we shed on the reality of abortion. He hates the care and compassion that we show. He would much rather women bite the bait he is offering and then suffer in silence from the aftermath of abortion. We know from Scripture that Satan's one objective is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), and that he seeks those he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). This is why pro-life ministry is needed now more than ever- because the war against abortion will not primarily be won at a ballot box or by an elected official. Those things are good and helpful, but we do not wage war against flesh and blood, but against the power of spiritual forces in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). This war is fought as we speak truth, show love, and shine light into the very dark realities that these women face.

Our team often cries with and for our clients. Our hearts break for them and the situations they find themselves in. We pray with them, and we pray for them, because we know that more than they need our support or our services, they need to know the God that created them, that loves them, and that has a plan for them. Our aim is to not look past them to see only the child in their womb but to show equal care and concern for every woman that the Lord brings to us. We know that when she is loved well, she can then love well. When she begins to believe the Truth, then she can walk in the Truth. We know that prayer is the number one weapon in our arsenal against the wiles of the enemy, and that our God fights not only for our us but also for our clients. We offer every level of support and resources that we can, and we trust God to fill in the gaps of what we cannot do. There are so many needs and so many concerns for each client, and He is the One who can heal, provide, and sustain her perfectly and completely.

Why do we say all this? Why are we talking about warfare? Because it cannot be ignored or avoided. Soldiers going out to battle are fully equipped with the proper physical weapons needed for warfare, but they are also highly aware of and knowledgeable regarding the tactics of their enemies. We cannot win a battle that we refuse to acknowledge that we are in. As we serve women in this ministry, we see women battling between good and evil and lies and truth regarding their lives and the lives of their unborn babies. We see them struggle and we see them overcome. We see the incredible victories of lives saved and changed through the power of God, yet we also see the devastation of defeat when the enemy convinces her she is better off through the tragedy of abortion. We have seen the tumultuous turmoil of women who one day are planning to parent and the next planning to abort due to extremely hard circumstances and very loud lies. There is no way to walk out this calling without waging warfare.

This is where you all, as the supporters of this ministry, also play your most vital role. Yes, we must have money, and we must have resources, but more than anything, it is prayer that proves time and time again to be the greatest need and the greatest asset we have. When you pray for the ministry of Choices Clinic and for the clients we serve, you are engaging this battle with us. You are storming the gates of hell every time you boldly approach the throne of grace on behalf of us and our clients. We are powerless without prayer, and we are powerless without the presence of the Holy Spirit leading, guiding, and speaking through us. It is not us or what we offer that makes any difference or saves any babies- it is the power of God working through His chosen vessel, both us and you. You link arms with us so faithfully in this endeavor as you lift us up personally and amongst your churches. Every Christian has a part to play in pro-life ministry, and we could not be more grateful for the support of our community here.

Current Prayer Needs:

• Rising issue of homelessness among moms/clients we serve

• Several clients who have recently experienced miscarriages

• Abortion-minded clients who are in the midst of decision making

• That abortion-minded women will find us and come in for help

• Volunteer needs for childcare, classes, and help with the Blessing Center

• Endurance, wisdom, and health for staff