Sidewalk Counseling

Sidewalk Counseling: The Front Lines of the Pro Life Issue

Scott J Mahurin

The Word

Proverbs 24:11-13

11 Deliver those who are drawn toward death,
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Surely we did not know this,”
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

Psalm 106:37-42

37 They even sacrificed their sons
And their daughters to demons,
38 And shed innocent blood,
The blood of their sons and daughters,
Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;
And the land was polluted with blood.
39 Thus they were defiled by their own works,
And played the harlot by their own deeds.
40 Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people,
So that He abhorred His own inheritance.
41 And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles,
And those who hated them ruled over them.
42 Their enemies also oppressed them,
And they were brought into subjection under their hand.

Jeremiah 1:5

“ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

1 Samuel 14:6

6 Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.”

The Necessity

1. Babies are God’s most innocent and helpless creatures.

2. They are aborted every day in the Tampa Bay area, which has eight abortion clinics. By Tampa Bay area I mean Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. Chances are there is an abortion clinic within 15 minutes of where you live. The Tampa Bay area has twice the number of abortions than the national average. Florida is the third per-capita child killing state in the US, trailing only California and New York.

3. We believe that God has called us to advance His cause, His mission, to rescue the lost through the power of the gospel.

The Opportunity

1. These things are not happening in secret. Each abortion clinic is on a public street, with a public sidewalk nearby. Each clinic has phone numbers and addresses that are a matter of public record.

2. This is a huge mission field for those who feel called to preach the gospel and be a source of love and compassion for women enslaved to the devil’s lies. Many women are hardened to what they are about to do, but many are also confused and afraid. We can be the voice and the presence to offer them the love of Jesus and to stand up for the life of the unborn baby that is about to be killed. Even in the midst of this tragedy, there is hope.

Practical Matters I: Mission

1. We are there to speak the truth in love, share the gospel, and save the baby.

2. This is impossible in our own strength. We must commit ourselves to prayer.

3. We are there to give these women options, to help them let their babies live, inform of them of the adoption option.

4. Time is very important.

James 5:16

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

While there, remain in a spirit of prayer.

Practical Matters II: Time

1. Most clinic parking lots are very close to the clinic. This gives counselors a very short (often 10 seconds or less) to attempt to engage women and others in conversation. However, often there are times when women or men will need to come back out to their vehicles to get checkbooks, etc.

2. Be prepared to direct them to help, adoption agencies, Catholic Charities, etc. etc.

3. Greet them and address them as mothers--which they are.

a. “Good morning mom.”

b. “Your baby has a heartbeat and is already alive and needing love. Please don’t do this. You have other options.”

c. “We are here to help you.”

Practical Matters III: Persecution

2 Tim. 3:12

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

1. You will hear angry people.

2. You will see apathetic people.

3. You will see blasphemers.

4. You will see people who are so hardened they do not care.

5. Pray and thank God that He rescued you!

Practical Matters IV: Stay on mission

1. Your mission is to speak truth and talk to the woman about her baby. 3. Also, there will most likely be other pro-life counselors there as well. Some of them may have a different denomination than you. Do not get distracted with different doctrinal distinctions.

2. You are not to argue with them or debate theology. Stay on topic.

3. If they ignore you, and go inside and kill their baby. It is not your fault. You are not God and you are not able to be the Holy Spirit. Mourn for these women as their lives will never be the same.

Summary

While it is true that God is sovereign, and that He hears our prayers wherever we are, it is also important that God raise up a team of believers to speak truth and love at the actual clinics on the actual days where women are going in.

Who knows what seeds can be planted by doing this?

Only God knows, but if He is calling you to this, do not become deaf to His calling!

In essence, your heart will break, but God wants to use you !

A baby in heaven will know that someone loved them.

Questions/Comments