Marie, a friend of mine, works as a client advocate at a pregnancy resource center. While she can’t share specific details due to confidentiality, she often asks for prayers for those she supports. Her requests are heartfelt yet vague: “Please pray for a young woman considering abortion as she finds the courage to open up to her mom,” or “Pray for healing for a couple feeling lost and alone.”
Supporting Women Through Education and Compassion
As a client advocate, Marie provides education and emotional support to women facing unplanned pregnancies. Her role involves presenting all available options to her clients. While she hopes women choose life, her primary focus is loving and respecting them, no matter their decision.
Her approach is rooted in compassion. “My job is to love them—whatever that looks like in their situation,” she explained.
A Journey of Transformation
Marie didn’t always hold this perspective. Like many, she once viewed abortion as simply “removing a clump of cells.” However, something about that idea unsettled her. After watching videos and reading information online, such as from the Center for Medical Progress, her perspective began to shift.
Initially, Marie’s approach to advocacy involved confronting others on social media, but she quickly realized that shame and fear do not change minds. “We should never use those tactics,” she admitted.
A Call to Action
Marie was invited by a friend to become a client advocate. After prayer and training, she embraced the role, seeing it as God’s calling for her. She realized that meaningful change required action, not just online posts.
“I see women who feel isolated all the time,” she said. She recalled a young couple who both wanted to keep their baby but mistakenly believed the other didn’t. Fear and a lack of communication kept them from expressing their true feelings. “I wanted to tell them, ‘Just talk!’ But all discussions must remain confidential.”
Marie encourages women to take their time with decisions and surround themselves with supportive people. “Don’t rush. Talk to loved ones—your parents, siblings, the father of the baby, his family. Get their opinions. And don’t accept the answer, ‘Whatever you want.’”
Meaningful Support and Honest Conversations
Marie believes that noncommittal responses, like “Whatever you want,” fail to offer real support. Instead, loved ones should say, “I think you should __, but I will love and support you no matter what you decide.” This kind of honesty fosters understanding and shared responsibility.
Changing the Conversation
Marie urges us to approach the issue of abortion with love and understanding. “Pray. Respond with love. Don’t engage in divisive debates.”
She believes Christian women, in particular, should listen to the stories of those who’ve had abortions. “Take them out for coffee or lunch. Hear their story. Behind every decision is a person with a story, and when we understand it, we find sympathy.”
Marie reminds us that the women facing these choices are more than statistics—they are people deserving of love, not judgment. “We focus so much on the babies, but the women need our help too.”
Finding Your Role in the Pro-Life Movement
Marie encourages everyone passionate about this issue to find their place in the movement. “Don’t sit on the sidelines, complaining about laws or policies. Get involved.”
- Pray and educate yourself. Learn the arguments from all sides to debate with knowledge, not self-righteousness.
- Take action. Donate to organizations that help mothers, purchase items for women in need, or become a client advocate.
“Discover your role in this story and act today,” Marie urges. “Together, we can change lives—both for the babies and the women.”
