We speak truth to the world against a mentality that encourages the use and abuse of others, the murder of innocent children and selfish action. This mentality has poisoned the minds of many around us and we are often alone in our stand. Discouragement weighs us down and Christ's call is often hard to hear. In order to maintain love in our actions and to remain in the spirit of Christ, we must commit ourselves to withstand retaliation. We must be focused and strong when we enter into any act against the evil of our world, that we not be swayed from the Truth.

Every time we are involved in verbal confrontation, active pro-life work, and even classroom discussions, we are confronting evil, whether in small or large context. The odds are often staggering and discouraging, so we need Christ for prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude, faith, hope, and love.

Thus we need solid spiritual formation. An active prayer life that maintains frequent conversation with Christ is vital to the perseverance needed in our work for those lost in the abortion culture. By patterning our lives after Christ's life and those of the early Christians, we can gain peace and strength in the face of any attack.

It is difficult to empathize with those who have bought into the anti-life mentality. By ourselves we are not capable of fully and unconditionally loving the woman who considers killing her child. We easily despise the abortionist who slaughters children without blinking an eye. We condemn the feminist who kills for her "freedom of choice." However, God calls us to love the sinner, to love those who hate us, to love our neighbor as ourselves. Only God can break our hearts for these souls. Pray that God will break your heart for these people, and that through your living example of God's love for them, they may turn from their sin and seek His love and forgiveness.

If you do not work to "die to yourself" and put aside your selfishness, you cannot expect the abortion-bound woman to do the same. Situations will come up that will convince you to lessen your work for life-tests and papers, extracurricular activities, your job, your friends. These are the same arguments you are trying to defeat. Satan will try to stop you in every way, but God will give you the grace to persevere. In times when we least want to do God's will, for whatever reason, we need to push onward. While you are busy with the things in your life, a child is losing hers. What could be more important? Pray that the Lord will enlarge your heart and pour His love in.

The child that is aborted knows no love and has no voice. God has called us to this place in time to be that voice in the face of much adversity. Making the effort and doing Christ's work puts us under much attack from opposing forces. This is why we must spiritually prepare for battle by maintaining a prayerful and sacrificial attitude modeled after Christ on the Cross. Our cross, whether it be discomfort of confrontation or even time spent in jail, is given to us for the redemption of souls. Carry the cross. Live sacrificially.