This brings me to an experience that I had on May 4th, just over a week ago. My outreach community program, Operation LIFE united with the youth group, Immerse Uth from Generation of Faith in Kissimmee, FL to partner up with worldwide ministry Stand4Life, to come together in front of abortion clinics in all America for a 2 hour silent prayer gathering to speak for those that have no voice, and to bring one message: LIFE!
It was an indescribable, powerful, life-changing experience for all those that were present! One would think the irony of it..."All you guys did was pray for 2 hours...and you did it in silence...you couldn't even talk!" How bizarre does that sound?!
But even with that, during those 2 hours, we had a group of 30
plus, in one accord, one mindset, one spirit, crying in God's
presence, standing in the gap for those that couldn't speak on
their own, taking a stand to intercede for those mothers that
wanted to abort their child but to instead bring conviction,
restoration, and love upon their hearts. Wow! Such a compelling
atmosphere!
However, how many know that every victory, every step forward, every positive outcome must be a result of opposition? United, as we lifted the name of Jesus, prayed two hours in silence declaring life for these defenseless beings, it didn't stop others from insulting us, ridiculing us, signing inappropriate hand & facial gestures at us...you would think we were the ones doing the harm, we were the ones doing the wrong, we were ones doing the incorrect...and yet we were the ones being attacked for doing what was right, being attacked for standing on the truth.
I think of this scenario that I lived on May 4th, and there is a similar story told in the Bible. It's found in the book of Luke 23, verses 20-25, where Pilot has Jesus on trial. Jesus...sinless, pure, holy, perfect, a man that performed miracles & wonders during His ministry...but yet, being all that and doing all that... Jesus was put on trial. But there is something very interesting about this story that we need to look at. As Pilot is telling the people that he has found no wrong in Jesus, the people yell out "Crucify Him!" Pilot responding back..."For what?! He didn't do anything!" And the Bible continues to read that the people continued to yell out "Crucify Him!" The amazing part of this story is not the people wanting Jesus crucified, it's the way Jesus responds back to those words...It does not mention not even once in this story that Jesus talked back, rectify Himself, explain Himself to the people, Why? Because His silence spoke for Him! Not a word came out of His mouth. Could he have said something back, rectify & justify himself? Of course, but He chose not too give into the ridicule, the insults. He was focused on one thing... conquering death, so He could give us Life!
On May 4th, our unity displayed that our silence spoke louder than any words said, as I can testify today that the abortion clinic we stood in front of & prayed for the abolishment of that clinic...has been announced officially closed down! Amen!
Even through our silence, God is working on our behalf! Every child has the right to be born, to have a birthday, to have a life! Don't let your silence mute you, let it speak for you!
Pastor Heidi M. Fernandez
OneVoice Ministries/ Operation LIFE
PG. 24