Every time the Church steps out of the four walls of the church building, we are on mission to bring the Gospel to a broken and hurting world.
A foundational part of the Love Life movement is calling the Church to step out of our buildings and be a light in the midst of darkness. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14
This past Saturday, that light was visible across the nation.
More than 60 churches and 2,160 prayer walkers gathered for our monthly prayer walks in cities across America. From New York to North Carolina, from Chicago to California, the Church stepped into the mission field to pray, worship, proclaim the Gospel, and stand for the most vulnerable.
And through every story, one thing was clear: the Church will not be deterred.
In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, our team stepped into a new mission field. Since the Women’s Choice clinic in Greensboro closed its doors, the team pivoted this month to Planned Parenthood Winston-Salem for their first prayer walk at that location.
Directly across the street from the abortion center is Salem Pregnancy Care Center. The director graciously allowed the prayer walk to take place on their property and shared her testimony with those gathered. As a teenager, she had an abortion at that very Planned Parenthood. But God redeemed her story, brought healing to her life, and now she leads a pregnancy center directly across the street, pointing women away from abortion and toward life.
What was meant for evil, God has turned into redemption.
In Queens, New York, the public witness of the Church had a profound impact on a young man who encountered the prayer walk. He was so moved by what he saw that he followed the group back to the church where they were gathering.
Later, he was found weeping and repenting. After confessing his sins and professing his belief in Jesus, he was overcome with joy, saying he had never experienced anything like it before.
This is why the Church must be visible. When the people of God step into the community in prayer, worship, and Gospel witness, hearts can be convicted, lives can be changed, and people can be drawn to Jesus.
In Chicago, Illinois, a mom who had been ministered to earlier in the week texted during the prayer walk to share the news that she had chosen life. When her material needs were shared with the group, several people immediately stepped forward to help.
(Chicago Image)
This is what the Church does. We do not simply tell moms to choose life. We surround them with love, support, and practical help. We pray, but we also respond. We worship, but we also carry burdens.
This month, Love Life Live also gave viewers a glimpse into several West Coast cities, where churches are standing with courage and compassion in some of the most spiritually challenging places in our nation.
In Ventura, California, for the first time, a couple chose life during a Saturday prayer walk. As prayer walkers were interceding, the sidewalk outreach team was ministering, and a mother and father made the courageous decision to choose life for their child.
(Ventura image)
In San Diego, California, pro-abortion opposition showed up in an attempt to disrupt the prayer walk. But the Church stayed focused. Prayer continued. Worship continued. The mission continued.
One prayer walker shared, “I view it as the Lord doing a great work, and the enemy is getting desperate and having to get more aggressive. We won’t be deterred by his lame tactics. I’ll be honest, I was uncomfortable, but I am glad we persevered.”
If you missed Love Life Live, you can watch the recording and see some of what God was doing during Saturday’s prayer walks on the West Coast.
These are just a few highlights from a day filled with stories across the nation. More than 60 churches stepped out. 2,160 prayer walkers stood together. Moms were loved. Needs were met. A couple chose life. A young man encountered Jesus. The Church was visible.
And the light shined in the darkness.
As we continue to unite and mobilize the Church, we are reminded again that this mission does not happen from a distance. It happens when the Church steps out, shows up, and refuses to be deterred. If you want to be a part of what God is doing, join us for an upcoming prayer walk. Go to https://lovelife.org/locations to find a location near you.