Abby Johnson worked in the building that sat inside the fence. Outside the fence, pro-life people prayed.
At one point, the people praying logged 40 days of prayer–two people at the site 24/7 for the duration of 40 days.
Abby Johnson had begun her career at Planned Parenthood as a volunteer. She walked with “clients” from their cars to the door of the abortion facility as she talked to them–trying to distract them as those holding vigil outside the fence tried to offer help other than abortion.
Abby then moved up through the ranks of hired employees to the position of clinic director. She became the on-site boss.
The pro-lifers offered her friendship and continued to pray.
After eight years, Abby became one of those on the outside of the fence–one offering prayers for the clients as well as the clinic employees and volunteers. And she tells of her transition in Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader’s Eye-Opening Journey across the LifeLine.
I read this book–in a matter of a few days–after I’d read Abby’s second book–The Walls Are Talking: Former Abortion Clinic Workers Tell Their Stories. I finished that book in just a bit more than 24 hours. I could not put it down.
The Preface of that book begins with this statement from Abby: “This will not be an enjoyable read. It is a necessary one, however, as it narrates the real-life experiences of former abortion clinic workers who agreed to be interviewed, as well as some of my own.”
Reading the books out of order actually provided the context for less detailed stories she provides in Unplanned.
Neither book is for the faint of heart. Yet, I agree with Abby’s preface to the second book: It is necessary.
You might wonder how someone could get caught up in the abortion industry
Swallow hard and pick these books up as soon as you can. Their pages will change you.
Pray for Abby’s ministry–And Then There Were None–which helps abortion workers walk away, get new jobs, and build new lives.
And pray for 40 Days for Life–a ministry Abby once thought was limited to her own clinic but which now touches five continents. Pray for them all prayer warriors and clinic workers. Women and babies.
Prayer makes a difference. Just ask Abby Johnson.
Thank you for sharing about this. Praying.
Thank you, Melissa! God bless!
Yes, prayer very often quiets the mind — so that the voice of love might speak . . . the kind of love that changes the world — one heart at a time.
And a persistent effort, one heart at a time, will win. Thank you, Greg, God bless!
Sounds like a heart-breaking book! But we need those in order to become passionate to pray diligently!
It was heart-breaking. The people in the book are carrying wounds that are deep–and not just the workers. There are so many abortive mothers out there. A great, ripe field awaiting praying people. Thanks, Julie, and God bless!
What an incredible story of God changing a heart. It sounds like a great one. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Chip. Incredible, indeed. God bless!
Very powerful I will have to check these books out. We need to rise up in the right way to help save the unborn children….. God Bless!
The right way is exactly how we need to do this. And she takes time to explain how we should not do it. Thanks, Steohen, for reading and commenting. God bless!
Wow. Thanks so much for sharing. What a testimony and a ministry! Praise God for her efforts and her faithfulness to obey His call!
She had quite the struggle, Heather. Her motives all along were to help women. Then she realized that she was being asked to consider other factors first. Thanks and God bless!
What a story! I want to read the books and part of me doesn’t. Abortion is such a horrible thing. I love children and to think of any one of them being harmed in any way makes my heart sink with great sadness. Thank you for making people aware of this. I’m so glad that Abby left this and is providing a ministry for others to leave this horror.
Thank you, Marcie. It is difficult. But you do see people changed by their experiences too. There is hope. God bless!
This sounds like an incredibly moving read. Thank you for sharing!
It was, Jessica. Thanks for reading and commenting! God bless!
Great testimony of how God’s lovingkindness leads all of us to a place of repentance. In today’s world it can be easy to lose hope and lose heart, but I believe God is at work in ways we cannot even begin to know. Blessings to you!
Thank you, Lisa. We cannot fathom God’s love for us. God bless!
These stories definitely need to be told, so I appreciate you creating awareness for them. I also love your last line that prayer makes a difference. I think we often forget just how powerful prayer really is!
Thank you, Emily. The ministries of And Then There Were None and 40 Days for Life show just how powerful prayer can be. God bless!
Praying for this necessary ministry and the people on both sides of thefence.
We do need to pray for those involved in the abortion industry–and the elected officials who think abortion is a good thing. Thanks, Stephen, and God bless!
Thanks for sharing about these books Nancy. I need to pick them up to read. I think it is important to understand what happens in such clinics so we can provide alternatives and help for the victims of abortion. I will also be praying for all involved.
Thank you, Yvonne. Pray and pray and pray. God bless!
Wow, what a story. May God continue to change hearts and lives. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Melissa. May He continue to do so, indeed. God bless!
Thank you for sharing this information. I will get these books.
God bless your reading, Stephanie! Thanks for commenting!
Nancy, I’ve never heard of this type of story like Abby’s before. How amazing that the Lord took her to the other side of the fence, debate, and issue. Thanks for sharing about the books.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Karen. Abby’s ministry is very busy helping people come out of abortion work. May God bless them and you!
Nancy, what a timely and important post. I haven’t read this book, but I’m familiar with Abby Johnson’s story…at least a little. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about this book. I’m adding it to my To Be Read list.
It is a compelling read, Jeanne. Thanks and God bless!
These books all sound revelatory. I’m glad you were able to participate in all of this, and that you’re running for office as a staunchly pro-life candidate. Brava! The horrors we discover behind the scenes in the abortion industry are shocking and appalling. Reading the account of workers and of aborted women who’ve finally spoken out reveal the true brokenness of our sinful human natures. This grievous practice has occurred all throughout the history of humanity. Even in the Old Testament, we see God judging and chastising Israel for sacrificing their own children. The practice is still committed thoughtlessly in most parts of our world today. It breaks God’s heart, and it should break ours. It goes against everything that is beautiful and holy. God have mercy! Thank God that he offers forgiveness and healing to those who have participated in this. Only a merciful and loving God could do so.
It does, Yvonne, go against all that is good and holy. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. God bless!
The books that have made the most change in my life are the books that were hard to read, whether because the topic was uncomfortable, convicting, or eye-opening. It sounds like this one could be all three.
That is so true, Elaine! Hard to read books change us. Thanks and God bless!