In what pro-life advocates have described as nothing other than the miraculous work of God, a series of abortion clinics throughout Dallas have closed down after a prominent bishop began leading prayers for their closure 18 years ago.
Since Bishop Charles Grahmann of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas first began leading his monthly prayer vigils outside the doors of abortion clinics over a decade ago, seven of the 13 abortion clinics in Dallas have closed, including, most recently, the only late term abortion clinic that deprived life to babies over 3 months old.
Karen Garnett, executive director of the Catholic Pro-Life Committee, described the closure of the abortion clinics as the fruitful result of their nearly two decades of tears and prayers.
“We thank God for the many lives that will be saved and mothers and fathers spared the agony and regret of abortion,” she said in a statement.
"Not only is this a victory for the pro-life movement, for mothers and for babies, but it is a victory for Dallas as well, as the horrific practice of the killing of unborn children will take place at one less location in our city,” she added.
While claiming victory, however, Garnett emphasized that it was up to Christians and pro-life minded people everywhere to continue praying that the scourge of abortion could be completely wiped out and the rights of the unborn protected.
“We mourn the tremendous loss of so many thousands of innocent human lives, and we'll continue to pray and work towards the day when Dallas is an abortion-free city and the blood of innocent unborn children is no longer shed here,” she said.
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chicago24 said, "If we truly believe in eternal life, why not ask a saint in heaven or Mary to pray for us?
Because their labour ends when they go to Heaven according to the Word of God.
Revelaton 14:13 - "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."
When we are here on the earth God has a work for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) Part of that work is praying for people. In my labour for the Lord I have interceded on behalf of the people God gave me to minister to. But when I die, my work in the Lord ends and I cease to labour in the fields of the world for Him. And so does every saint including Mary.
Praise God that the abortion clinics are closing!!! I am a 47-yr-old woman who grew up in the Christian church... got involved in pre-marital sex after being date-raped at a small Christian college by one of the professor's sons (something that sent my life spiraling in more ways than one)... and had an abortion 6 weeks before I got married because of the legalistic home and church I grew up in. If abortion had been illegal, I would not have made that choice. God has forgiven me, and allowed me to forgive myself, but that was due in NO part to the constant strife that sadly IS the Church.
lex and id, I agree with both of you 110%.
Previous post, first sentence should have read: "This is not news to divide over." Praise the Lord. Amen.
This is news to divide over. Praise the Lord. And may we all continue to pray until all of rest of these death centers are closed. When we see the Lord moving and allowing us victory, let's celebrate, not bicker.
Typical of American Christians is our bickering over theology when we should be celebrating the goodness of God.
you cant ask dead people to Pray for you, God will hear the Prayers of those who are Truely his. And how can anyone in Heaven who is not God hear any Prayers at all? And how do you know who is in Heaven at the moment, i mean there is the Rapture of the Faithful, correct? How do you know Mary the mother of Jesus is in Heaven? I would like to see Scriptures on this. ty.
Thank you chicago24 and JHS for speaking some truth. I am a Catholic who attends an Evangelical church here in Denver (long story). It is my prayer that all of God's children will someday be united with one voice. In the mean time, I hope that people like Diana626 will come to appreciate the Catholic Church and its 2000 years of collective wisdom, as well as the Protestant Churches which bring the word of God to life for millions.
Does anybody really believe that Catholics were the only ones praying for these closures. Abortion is one issue that has always attracted people of all denominations to set aside doctrinal differences and join hands in putting an end to the killing of unborn babies. If you were to ask this bishop I'm almost positive that he would gladly acknowledge that people of other faiths were just as involved in praying for the closure of these clinics as much as Catholics. The bottomline is as someone has already noted the clinics are closed and as a result lives are being saved.
chicago24: I think the logic of the Catholic church has good intentions as to asking saints to pray for them, however good intentions and biblical mandate are two different things. The Bible teaches that Jesus is our "mediator" between God and man. The Bible also teaches that the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf to the Father with "words deeper" than our own. So to ask the saints in heaven to pray for us is biblically unecessary as we read that Jesus does that for us.
chicago24
"As a convert to Catholicism from the Southern Baptist Church, I'd like to shed some light on "praying" to saints and Mary "
REPLY: HERE IN OKLAHOMA THE BAPTIST HAVE MADE UP A LOT OF THE CONVERTS TO ROME, SOMETHING THAT MAKES THE OKLAHOMA BAPTIST CONVENTION NUTS. AS I TOLD A BAPTIST FRIEND OF MINE OVER ADULT BEVERAGES, EVANGELICALS WOULD NOT HAVE THE BIBLE TO THUMP OVER PEOPLES HEADS IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
As a convert to Catholicism from the Southern Baptist Church, I'd like to shed some light on "praying" to saints and Mary - -
So often, we ask someone close to us, "Pray for me" or "Say a prayer for me."
We're not praying to that person; we're just asking for their prayers.
If we truly believe in eternal life, why not ask a saint in heaven or Mary to pray for us?
We're not praying TO them - - we're asking for their prayers.
Diana626 "SInce it was a Catholic Diocese that prays to dead saints and thru Mary..
one has to wonder if this is answered prayer (since its debatable who they prayed to) or is just a sign of advanced birth control making abortion not necessary (but the sin still abounds"
Reply: since it is obvious you are anti-Catholic, I will not even try to understand your ignorance, I will say however maybe the Catholic diocese of Dallas was the only group of Christians willing to put their time where their mouth was!
Praise God!
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
SInce it was a Catholic Diocese that prays to dead saints and thru Mary..
one has to wonder if this is answered prayer (since its debatable who they prayed to) or is just a sign of advanced birth control making abortion not necessary (but the sin still abounds).