Friday February 26, 2010
Is 40 Days for Life ‘Silly’?: Meet an Abortionist Who Thinks it is
Commentary by David Bereit, National Coordinator, 40 Days for Life
February 26, 2010 (40DaysforLife.com) – I’m inspired by all the local TV reports about 40 Days for Life! In two minutes or less, they can show your entire community the true nature of your peaceful, prayerful outreach.
Often, these reports will feature only a written statement from the abortion center staff. They’re not always eager to appear on camera.
One exception, however, is William Harrison — a Fayetteville, Arkansas abortionist whose appearance on a local TV newscast offers an interesting insight into his mindset.
What does Harrison think of 40 Days for Life? “I think it’s silly,” he told the reporter. “Standing across the street and praying to end abortion — that doesn’t work.”
He “thanked” vigil participants for pointing out his location, because he doesn’t advertise and claims that people praying outside will help newcomers find him. He also advised local 40 Days for Life coordinators to look more serious and to bring a priest with them.
Harrison said with a laugh, “You know, if they’re going to be praying and fasting, they ought to take this job seriously.”
They are serious about this, said Juliet Cassell, one of the local coordinators. “We want this to be a positive, peaceful event and really call attention to what’s going on across the street. Children are losing their lives,” she told the reporter.
And … they’re praying for Harrison.
“One of my biggest prayers is that he would have a conversion of the heart and he use his medical skills and knowledge to promote life, not death,” said Tiffany Dickinson, another of the 40 Days for Life coordinators.
I personally pray for everyone involved in the abortion industry, including William Harrison. He may seem determined and unwilling to even think about quitting. But then again, so did someone I know — Abby Johnson.
For eight years, Abby worked at Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas. She rose to the position of director and was the Planned Parenthood affiliate’s employee of the year.
She watched the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign from her office window in 2004 — and kept watching as five more peaceful, prayerful campaigns unfolded over the next several years.
Last October, during the fall 40 Days for Life, she had a change of heart … and quit her job.
Just four months later, the very same Abby Johnson stood outside the abortion center she once directed — speaking at the local 40 Days for Life kickoff event, encouraging people to come out and pray for an end to abortion — as her former co-workers watched.
If God can reach Abby Johnson, you know He can do the same for everyone in the abortion industry — even someone as hardened as William Harrison.
Pray hard!
This article reprinted with permission from www.c-fam.org.