By Jessica Kessler:
Last weekend we walked for life in San Francisco, and I was tasked by the bishop to report on our adventure. The group and trip exceeded my expectation. I suppose I should write about the amazing testimonies or the vast numbers; maybe I should write about how strong the Holy Spirit felt or how heavy the dark forces felt. As interesting as all those may sound, I am just going to write something I know.
God is on the move, and it is happening so fast I have difficulty putting to words the events or significance of these moments. Our brothers and sisters walked with over 500,000 people in our capitol and the next day we stood with 60,000-70,000 in one of the most liberal capitols of the country, San Francisco. This country has a pro-life voice, and we will be heard with or without the media. Even if we are heard from a window, on the side walk at a clinic, yelling at a rally, or by someone reading a shirt, the truth can only be hidden for so long.
This year in San Francisco we added an organized rally, worked with other local groups, and intervened in spirit through the liturgy for the preborn on the steps of San Francisco City Hall. We took shirts in all different colors and bright signs sharing the message that ALL life is sacred. The color and energy set the CEC apart in a sense of bringing life into the movement. Yes, we mourn for the lost and pray for the broken mothers, but we love life, stress life and want to share it abundantly. Strangely enough, this is not something only occurring on the West coast. But CEC members (particularly the youth) all over the world have been stepping up for the sacred and special gift of life, voicing the injustice of abortion, and creating a future for the pro life ministry in this denomination. This year alone, we saw a 24-hour prayer chain develop, had a huge outreach in Madrid, saw new videos being created, and many ideas in art/music/photography/writing emerge. An awakening has occurred that fully acknowledges one third of our generation is missing: killed. We are broken hearted and enraged to see so many lost, grateful to be alive, sad for those who believe the lie, and empowered to speak against the enemy. We desire life, not just for ourselves but for life itself.
It was supposed to rain everyday we were there, and I (and I'm sure many others) prayed so fervently against it. Well, it never rained. He had answered. And He will hear our cry if we stand as a prophetic witness, offering His love to a lost and dying generation. We are a pro-life generation, and we are coming into our own. Every person who went on the trip (mostly young people) is now far more committed to the pro life cause and we have big plans, gaining momentum by the moment. And I am just a focusing on this past event while I know God is speaking to young people around the world in the CEC. If we can work together through this, and God continues to move at this pace then the abortion industry better watch out. A message of love will always overcome.
