Each week AFL posts an Anglicans in Action video, which gives practical suggestions, resources, and ideas for life-ministry. This week’s focus is on abortion healing resources. You can see all the Anglicans in Action videos on our YouTube Channel.
We know and believe that God is the creator and sustainer of EVERY life. Because He knows we need and crave relationship, He created motherhood as a gift to both mothers and their children. What better time than Mother’s Day to reflect on the true gift that motherhood was created to be?
This week’s action idea specifically relates ministering to women who have had abortions on Mother’s Day. On a day that motherhood is embraced and celebrated, many women experience sadness and are reminded of “what might have been.” Women struggling after an abortion, may be seeking guidance on how to grieve, open up, and receive forgiveness, but feel like they have no safe place to do this. It is essential that we as the church take time this Mother’s Day to acknowledge and honor their loss and the grief that they are dealing with. It is so easy and almost natural to bury an abortion, bury the sadness and frustration that goes along with it, and repress the experience to cope with the pain.
A great source for healing is available through Christian-based abortion recovery programs. You can find some programs by visiting abortionforgiveness.com. The zip code search will pull up programs in your area, and you can scroll down to see a list of locations and dates, which are normally free and provided by pregnancy centers, churches, or national organizations. These programs are designed to help individuals overcome the emotional trauma and spiritual issues experienced after an abortion. Examples of programs are Rachel’s Vineyard, Forgiven and Set Free, Save One, and Surrendering the Secret.
Abortion recovery programs will address emotions like grief, guilt, anger, depression, fear, unforgiveness, shame, and defense mechanisms in an effort to help begin the healing process at the workshop, while giving participants useful tools to continue healing when they go back home. Teaching on the love, mercy and grace of God may also be included so that healthy reconciliation can occur. The prayer at the center of all abortion recovery programs is that women will come to a deeper understanding of the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father.
Another great abortion healing resource is our drop cards. You can purchase Silent No More Drop Cards through the AFL store. These can be left around your community, in places like public restrooms, and will spread the message of the campaign and point people to abortion healing. Another option is to put a message in your bulletin, making after-abortion care known and available to those who are hurting.
Most of all, on this day in which we honor mothers, may our hearts be turned toward the One who has given us the gift of motherhood. May our hearts overflow with gratitude to God, who formed and knitted each of us in a mother’s womb and may we offer His love to women in our congregations who are seeking abortion healing.
