Dear Clergy and Ministers: Yes Abortion is a Sensitive Subject…But Mother’s Day is the Perfect Time to Share a Message of Consolation and Healing

Yes this is a very sensitive subject to introduce on Mother’s Day weekend. But it really is the perfect time. Women in your congregation who have had abortions may be experiencing various levels of regret and discomfort as our nation honors its moms.

The Silent No More Awareness Campaign through their Shockwaves Initiative has created a special section of prayers and preaching aids that can help you share a message of hope and healing at this time of year.

Please take a moment to read the prayers and review the preaching ideas for the Scripture readings used in Sunday services for the month of May.

Here is one of the prayers you will find on the Shockwaves website, developed by Fr Frank Pavone for mothers who have lost a child to abortion. Consider how simply sharing this beautiful prayer with your congregation would empower the Holy Spirit to open hearts and souls to the grace of reconciliation and a deeper healing of their loss:

Prayer for Mothers who have Lost a Child to Abortion

Lord of all Life, You have entrusted us to the care of one another, And called us to be one Body in Christ.

You call us to rejoice with those who rejoice, And to weep with those who weep.

Lord, you have compared the love you have for us To the love a mother has for her own child. Hear our prayer today For all mothers who have lost children to abortion. Help us to understand The pain that is in their hearts, And to be a living sign to them Of your welcome, your mercy, and your healing.

Help them to undergo with courage The process of grief and the journey of healing. Never allow them to feel alone; Always refresh them with the presence of Your Spirit And of their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Console them with the sure hope That you love and care for their children. Give them new strength, That even while they grieve what they have lost, They may look forward to all the good That you still have in store for them.

Lord of healing and hope, Give us all the forgiveness of our sins, And the joy of your salvation.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.