It's been an interesting week at the Whitfield St 40 Days for Life! As the abortuary is conveniently sited opposite a student residence of UCL, most prayer volunteers spend their time praying just beside the student house. This leads to a variety of colourful meetings and incidents with the students. 3 "Pro-Choice" posters have appeared in student's windows. This was our personal favourite.
The next one this student put up was not quite as flattering, so I won't put up a picture of that one!
On a Friday night, standing at this site, which we do since it is a 24-hour vigil at Whitfield St, means chatting with a good number of merry to downright plastered students. But also leads to the occassional good conversations, including requests from Catholic students for prayers that they may keep their faith in their current environment.
Saturday morning is a different matter. It's so quiet you would think no-one lived on Whitfield St. Last Saturday, we were joined by Brother Gerard and though it was a cold day, there was beautiful sunshine beaming down on us so we had one of the warmest spots in the Centre of town for a while! We kept the volume of the prayers down till about midday, when we heard the sound of breakfast being made (well they are students, zzzzz).
Early Tuesday morning, about 7.15am, we were suddenly joined by a peaceful presence of about 200 students who had obviously been inspired to join the vigil. So keen were they that they had all come in their pyjamas. We were touched by this conversion of heart and my colleague started reciting a "Litany for Life" that he had with him. "For the times we have allowed our purity to be exposed to pornography, Lord have mercy on us" he read. No-one batted an eyelid at this, no rude comments were made. It didn't take us long to realise that their presence had been inspired by the fire alarm going off and their good behaviour encouraged by the presence of the managers of the residence. But still, it was nice to have them with us for 20 minutes at sunrise at the abortuary. Quite a few people would have appreciated seeing that happen, especially those who got a mouthful from one of the now "butter wouldn't melt" students, but I didn't have the heart to take a picture, like every pro-lifer I know, we don't take pictures of people in situations where they are vulnerable.
Wednesday morning brought a turnaround and another possible turnaround at Bedford Square. Both need your prayers. (or to help give them any finacial support they may need donate
here)
Weekday daytimes are busy but there's not too much hassle. There is the odd guy who passes by shouting (at 3 women!) "You ******* idiots are putting the women's rights movement back by 25 ******* years" Because as a man he would obviously know more about what rights we need than we do @*#!!
But whether you like to pray in the quiet, in the dead of night, in the sunshine or the rain, in the face of abuse, or just in season or out of season, we have a time slot for you!
Last Sunday some of the pro-death squad were gloating about the small presence they found at Bedford Square.
40 Days is a great opportunity to witness against abortion. It takes commitment and sacrifice though, so let's give some commitment and get going on the prayer and fasting.
Don't let us waste this opportunity, we are either part of the solution to abortion or part of the problem. If we never make any public witness against abortion we are part of the problem.
Come to the Whitfield St Vigil, day or night
London Whitfield Street (24 hours a day)
http://40daysforlife.com/london-whitfield/
Eddie 07932105696 or 02077231740
Email
GCNVigil@yahoo.co.uk
Come to Brixton 8am-8pm - a new Vigil which urgently needs your support to grow
London Brixtonhttp://www.40daysforlife.com/brixton/
Dave Belton 07956 458516
Email
db40days@gmail.com
Come to Bedford Square 8am-8pm - and remember
they face a protest from pro-deathers every Sunday from 1-4pm too
London Bedford Squarehttp://www.40daysforlife.com/london/
Robert - 07947698195
Email -
40daysforlifelondon@gmail.com
Facebook -
http://www.facebook.com/pages/40-Days-for-Life-London/114071638700765
Clare McCullough