Jericho Marchers’ prayers answered—baby saved Saturday

One of the most successful events to take place during the dynamic early months of our fight against Planned Parenthood was the Jericho March, held in mid-September 2007. As part of the concluding weekend of our 40 Days for Life Campaign this year, we decided to repeat this popular event. This year’s Jericho March was held this past Saturday, November 1, “All Saints Day” in many Christian traditions. Some 120 pro-life marchers circled Planned Parenthood’s block in seven “battalions”, echoing the seven circuits of Jericho by the armies of Joshua. Many of the marchers made the 1.25 mile trek two or three times—especially when word went out that sidewalk counselor Roger Earl was in the midst of counseling an abortion-bound mother and father. The couple arrived about halfway through the Jericho March, and for about ten minutes, Roger knelt by the side of their vehicle talking to them. Eventually a squad car showed up and told Roger he’d have to move off the roadway. The car pulled into Planned Parenthood’s lot and those of us watching from “home base” down at the corner on Oakhurst felt our hearts sink—until we saw that the couple was only using the parking lot to turn around. They drove into the lot behind Blockbuster, where Roger continued to talk to them. I asked those assembling for the next battalion to focus their prayers on Roger and this couple. Two more battalions went out with the same marching orders. Finally, as the marchers were gathering for a closing prayer, Roger came up and told us that the couple had decided to keep their baby and were on their way to a pregnancy resource center for a free ultrasound. His face was a portrait of joy as he thanked us for the special prayers. After the sixth battalion joined the other marchers at home base, I shared the great news that our prayers had been answered. We sang “Amazing Grace” together—now the traditional final hymn for all our vigils and protests—and then several dozen volunteers joined me and Matt in the seventh, final battalion. Special thanks to Fr. Dong Bui of Ss. Peter and Paul in Naperville and Pastor Jeff Moore of First Presbyterian Church in Aurora for helping to lead the prayers, and to Roger for reaching out to this couple with words of hope and love. You can see a slideshow of the Jericho March here. Also, check out Matt’s account of the closing sing-a-long event.