Spiritual warfare. First and foremost, that’s what we’re here
for, and war is never a joke and never to be taken lightly. I don’t know about the rest of you, but it’s
easy for me to get comfortable because I’m not seeing the bloodshed and because
most of the time it’s easy for me to forget the presence of the true Enemy, but
this makes the war no less real and all the more dangerous. In my humble opinion—through personal
experience and accounts of personal experience—there are two things necessary
and one thing extremely helpful if you want to—or feel you should—do this type
of work: 1) You MUST remain close to God.
We are instruments of God’s work no matter what area we serve and if we
allow ourselves to rust or gather cobwebs, we put obstacles in the way of His
grace. Soldiers must stay fit, and we are no exception. Actively pursue virtues and conquer
vices (even when they don’t seem to have anything to do with pro-life work—they
do). Go to confession frequently. Pray even more than you would on a normal day
at home. Go to mass as often as
possible. The more fresh and healthy our
soul is the more easily will God’s grace flow through us to the women we serve.
Never leave home for battle without your sword, the rosary of our Lady. No matter how incompetent you may feel at
times (I know I do...), even if all you do is stand outside an abortion clinic
and pray fervently you are already doing the best thing you can do for these
women.
2) Can you walk into a room with
a total stranger and truly, sincerely, earnestly love her? care about her? want
the best for her? Of course, this
follows from #1, for the more we allow God to fill us with His love the more
easily will this come to us. Love is
something these women are not receiving for the most part and even if our love
comes beside stumbling words, if it’s sincere it will show.
3) Not necessary,
but extremely helpful: Skill. Watch
people who have been doing this for years.
Pay attention when you’re shadowing.
Research your own information.
Commit pertinent knowledge to memory. Rehearse different counseling
scenarios alone or with a friend.
Take these suggestions for what
they’re worth. It has been helpful to me
to remind myself of them often and to try my best to follow them.
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