(40 Days for Life) I used to wonder why protesters showed up in front of my former workplace.
“Why are these people here?” I would scoff. “We don’t even do abortions!”
But pro-lifers understood something I didn’t. Planned Parenthood is responsible for over 300,000 abortions per year. Many women who abort make that life-and-death decision not at an abortion facility but at a Planned Parenthood referral center. In its 2023-24 annual report, Planned Parenthood reported a staggering 402,230 abortions.
A vigil in front of a Planned Parenthood referral center can be the first line of defense to save a life from abortion. And a presence at a referral center is even more important since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, as Planned Parenthood attempts to refer women in pro-life states to travel for abortions.
Furthermore, referral centers sell abortifacient contraception that can cause abortions before a woman even recognizes she’s pregnant.
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Most people do not realize that chemical contraception and IUDs can cause early abortions. That’s because abortion advocates have hijacked the language by claiming pregnancy begins not at fertilization when a new human life is conceived, but at implantation in the uterus.
In other words, when certain contraceptive drugs or mechanical devices (like copper IUDs) kill a newly conceived child prior to implantation, abortion backers claim it’s not abortion because implantation hasn’t taken place yet. These methods of contraception are common at Planned Parenthood referral centers, contributing to a literally immeasurable loss of life.
That means our peaceful, prayerful presence at a 40 Days for Life vigil outside a referral center is critical—even if the facility doesn’t explicitly claim to provide abortions.
Tweet This: Our presence at a 40 Days for Life vigil outside a referral center is critical—even if the facility doesn’t provide abortions.
When Margaret Sanger founded Planned Parenthood, she didn’t begin by offering abortions. No, the organization sold and promoted contraception. Sanger’s whole reason for promoting birth control was to do exactly that—control birth—especially the number of births of those she deemed as unfit and undesirable. Planned Parenthood’s racist and eugenic roots run deep, and this type of evil doesn’t dissipate without prayer and fasting.
Sadly, there are so many unsuspecting women who have been deceived into believing that Planned Parenthood exists for their good. But as someone who used to work for the organization, I can confirm that there is a demonic stronghold that exists at Planned Parenthood. Only the light of Christ has the power to disperse this darkness.
And that’s why we pray at Planned Parenthood—even the centers that “only” refer for abortions.
Our presence matters. With the defunding of Planned Parenthood, the time to shut down referral centers is NOW. Every Planned Parenthood that closes its doors is a huge victory and delivers a blow to Planned Parenthood’s bottom line. But even more importantly, it’s a win for life and for the salvation of souls.
Editor's note: Ramona Treviño worked as the manager of a Planned Parenthood abortion center in Sherman, Texas, until 2011, when God used a 40 Days for Life campaign to move her to leave her job and reclaim her walk with Christ. The Planned Parenthood location subsequently went out of business. Ramona now serves as the outreach director at 40 Days for Life. This article originally appeared in 40 Days for Life’s Day 41 magazine. To receive the free quarterly magazine, visit 40daysforlife.com/
