NEW YORK, February 19, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – Showing a real-time 4D ultrasound of a preborn baby that will be broadcast on Times Square jumbotrons in New York in May will help convince people that “every life is made in the image of God,” said Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family, in an interview with LifeSiteNews.
Daly sat down with LifeSiteNews for an exclusive interview following the announcement earlier this month of the broadcast of a live ultrasound. During the May 4 event, a doctor will perform a live 4D ultrasound of a preborn baby. The event is meant to help counter Gov. Cuomo’s signing of late-term abortion legislation as well as Virginia Gov. Ralph Northram's recent radio interview that affirmed infanticide.
For Daly, this newest effort to promote a culture of life is just part of a 40-year Christian mission to preserve and protect the sanctity of Marriage and the Family.
“Over 40 years ago, our founder, Dr. James Dobson, recognized that the family was in trouble. Prompted by the Lord, he left a very comfortable position in academia to start Focus on the Family. Our mission then – and now – is to help families thrive in Christ. We do this by providing help and resources for couples to build healthy marriages that reflect God’s design, and for parents to raise spiritually and emotionally healthy kids,” he told LifeSiteNews.
This desire to encourage “thriving families”, however, has been greatly hindered by attacks on Marriage and Life in recent years.
“The enemy is a divider, a splitter, and the attack on life is one of his many tools used to tear families apart, “ Daly explained. “There are a lot of challenges facing families today. But I’ve always been heartened by the Apostle Paul’s admonition: 'For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms' (Ephesians 6:12). I’ve also always liked what the late Dr. Adrian Rogers used to say when people would lament about the world’s condition. 'What is the world coming to?' Adrian would ask rhetorically. ‘I’ll tell you what it’s coming to. It’s coming to Jesus.’ He was right! Do not lose hope. Do not lose heart.”
Known for conservative, biblically-centered tools and resources — including award-winning “Adventures in Odyssey” — Focus on the Family has long been considered a leader of pro-family activism for Christians of all denominations. The newest legislation in New York, however — with other states following suit— was where Jim Daly saw the need for a substantial demonstration.
“For the past 15 years, we’ve been able to help save an estimated 425,000 babies by placing ultrasound machines in high-abortion areas. When abortion-minded women see an image of their baby on a screen, research suggests that 54% of them will choose not to abort. Just last month at the March for Life, we announced a goal of saving a million lives by 2025. In the aftermath of the egregious NY legislation legalizing late-term abortion and the Virginia governor endorsing infanticide, we’re prayerfully hoping this will call greater attention to the plight of the preborn,” he said.
The message Daly wishes to convey to the world is simple, and direct.
“Times Square is known as “The Crossroads of the World” and we’re at a crossroad as a nation regarding life. Do we really want to be part of the Abortion Axis of Evil – like China, North Korea and Vietnam that allows abortion for any reason after 20 weeks? We’re hearing from people all over the country who are disgusted by the blatant disregard for life. Enough is enough!” he said.
Focus on the Family will present “Alive From New York”, in Times Square, on May 4th, 2019. Those interested in participating are encouraged to do so, first, by signing the Declaration for Life at www.FocusontheFamily.com/prolife. This petition will be presented to the White House and Congress.
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Jim Daly’s full interview with LifeSiteNews
LifeSiteNews (LSN): Mr. Daly, for readers who may not know of Focus on the Family, why was this incredible foundation created, and in a few words, what is your mission in today's “Post-Christian” cultural climate?
Jim Daly (Daly): Over 40 years ago, our founder, Dr. James Dobson, recognized that the family was in trouble. Prompted by the Lord, he left a very comfortable position in academia to start Focus on the Family. Our mission then – and now – is to help families thrive in Christ. We do this by providing help and resources for couples to build healthy marriages that reflect God’s design, and for parents to raise spiritually and emotionally healthy kids.
LSN: Do you believe the attack on life is connected to the attack on traditional marriage and the family?
Daly: In John’s Gospel, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). The enemy is a divider, a splitter, and the attack on life is one of his many tools used to tear families apart.
LSN:: What were the driving forces behind this creative pro-life event?
Daly: For the past 15 years, we’ve been able to help save an estimated 425,000 babies by placing ultrasound machines in high-abortion areas. When abortion-minded women see an image of their baby on a screen, research suggests that 54% of them will choose not to abort. Just last month at the March for Life, we announced a goal of saving a million lives by 2025. In the aftermath of the egregious NY legislation legalizing late-term abortion and the Virginia governor endorsing infanticide, we’re prayerfully hoping this will call greater attention to the plight of the preborn.
LSN: What message do you want to convey, and why convey it in this way?
Daly: Times Square is known as “The Crossroads of the World” and we’re at a crossroad as a nation regarding life. Do we really want to be part of the Abortion Axis of Evil – like China, North Korea and Vietnam that allows abortion for any reason after 20 weeks? We’re hearing from people all over the country who are disgusted by the blatant disregard for life. Enough is enough!”
LSN: What would you count as a successful outcome of this pro-life event? (What would you like accomplished)?
Daly: Most people have never seen a 4-D ultrasound. It’s our hope that after seeing these videos in Times Square, people will have no doubt that every life is made in the image of God. It’s our prayer that ALIVE FROM NEW YORK will be an event used to help change hearts and minds regarding life. We hope you’ll join us!
LSN: LifeSiteNews has an incredibly proactive readership–many who attend events such as the annual March for Life, and who often protest and pray outside abortion mills. What may our readers do to help this cause?
Daly: At this point, we would be grateful for your prayers. There are so many details for an event of this magnitude and many forces that would prefer we not do this. Also, we would like to invite pro-life supporters to sign our DECLARATION FOR LIFE by going to www.FocusontheFamily.com/prolife. We plan on delivering this petition to the White House and Congress.
LSN: Do you anticipate this event to be a one-time occurrence?
Daly: Let’s see! Our campaign leading up to the event is called, SEE LIFE CLEARLY, and it’s designed to help equip individuals and families with the resources and tools necessary to help advance the cause of life. Please join us on the journey!
LSN: Do you, or Doctor Dobson, have any message to Christians in this spiritual and temporal battle we are facing, for Life, Marriage and Faith?
Daly: There are a lot of challenges facing families today. But I’ve always been heartened by the Apostle Paul’s admonition: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). I’ve also always liked what the late Dr. Adrian Rogers used to say when people would lament about the world’s condition. “What is the world coming to?” Adrian would ask rhetorically. “I’ll tell you what it’s coming to. It’s coming to Jesus.” He was right! Do not lose hope. Do not lose heart.