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When I was a teenager growing up in the sixties and the seventies, women were being “liberated”, and society was rapidly changing. Most of us didn’t really think much at all about what was going on politically; we simply voted according to our parents’ preference.

Teenagers were protesting and rebellious. The majority still had a deep sense of moral and ethical values through our Judeo- Christian upbringing — we were mostly naïve and impressionable.

Abortion was legalised in South Australia in December 1969. I don’t think many young people gave it much thought at the time except, I guess, the girls who found themselves pregnant. Suddenly, they had another alternative to being sent away until their baby was born and putting the baby up for adoption. Men were no longer having to take responsibility as ‘liberated women’ faced things alone. I didn’t know anyone in either of these cases as things were kept ‘hush, hush’ in those days.

Turnaround

The first time I remember consciously thinking about abortion was in my late twenties when I was confronted by the fact that a young teenage couple I knew very well, said they were about to go for their second abortion — I begged them not to abort. I said everything humanly possible, even offering to raise the child myself, though I was married and pregnant with my second child. I was desperate — but to no avail. They refused to listen and, the next morning, went to the clinic.

Now, it seemed all hope was gone. That day, I was at our women’s Bible study; I was in tears as I shared what was happening. We had just studied Romans 8:26, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” I didn’t know if it was too late, but we prayed. We all agreed for the child to live, and for the young couple, there was no judgement, just compassion and love.

That afternoon, the teenage couple returned, announcing that they didn’t know why, but they were going to keep the baby! I was overjoyed and thankful to God.

Decades later, in 2009, I sat on the steps of Parliament House in South Australia on the 40^th Anniversary of the passing of the tragic Criminal Law Consolidation Amendment Act 1969 – an Act legalising abortion. Just a handful of us were in silent prayer for several hours. I wept at the thought of all the lives that had not been given breath nor a chance to fulfil the days the Lord had planned for them.

Humanity, in their ‘good intentions’, had opened wide a ‘gate of the shedding of innocent blood’; most likely, that was never their intention at the time. But now, we have a culture that has normalised the shedding of innocent blood with the destruction of our own children so that over 90,000 Australians are destroyed each year.

Spiritual Battle

The Lord spoke clearly to my heart that day on the steps of Parliament House. In answer to my question, “Lord, what will it take to shut this gate of the bloodshed of legalised abortion?” He said, “If my people will come together as one, and pray for 55 days, I will rebuild the walls and restore the gates!”

This resonated with me as a Nehemiah and Ezra situation of what it takes to rebuild — it would take everyone called to take up their part in this work, with tools (faith in action) in one hand and sword (Word of God) in the other, to hear and implement the strategy of the Lord. Opposition to restoring the breech of abortion is fierce and threatening to stop the work, but the Lord is continually unlocking hearts to do their part.

It took ten more years for this call to prayer to the Nation with “55 Days of Mercy” to come to pass. (January 1^st, 2019) The call went out, and many faithfully prayed three times a day for 55 Days for the nation’s restoration. We had huge battles around the nation as abortion was systematically being legalised for any reason up to birth.

On the very day the National Call to Prayer went out, 1 January 2019, I had a phone call from Jodie Picard, whom I did not know at the time.  We instantly became trusted sisters in this battle for the unborn. Jodie orchestrated a “Walk for Life” (WFL) around the Abortion clinic at Woodville Park, SA, in August 2019.  Many churches rallied to silently take a stand for life, and approximately 230 people attended the inaugural WFL.  At the same time, in August 2019, we did another call of 31 Days of National Prayer.

Greatly encouraged by this first event, several meetings were subsequently held in Adelaide inviting and gathering leaders, pastors and anyone who had a heart for the unborn to be rescued. So evolved the beginning of a cohesive voice for the voiceless. Jodie Picard became CEO, and I was heading up the “spiritual oversight” of what soon became Love Adelaide.

At this time, August 2019, I had an incredibly significant heavenly encounter during a time of worship and weeping for the unborn. The Lord appeared to me and presented me with a scroll called “The Ending of Abortion”, and He said, “It will come with suffering — are you willing?”

I hesitated, momentarily, then said “Yes” and I ate the scroll, beginning to understand more fully that the war over the unborn is what I’ve been called to by God.

At this time, there was an urgency in the air as we knew the SA politicians were about to introduce the Termination of Pregnancy Act – essentially legalising abortion to birth for any reason. As time progressed, we know that horrific Bill passed and is now legislation.

But for God — God is investing in those whose hearts are turned towards Him. Prayer has always been the linchpin for everything we do! God’s grace is upon this work, and a multitude of divine connections and holy alliances have been given by heaven to advance the work. A coalition for Life, consisting of pregnancy help centres, pro-life groups, lawyers, politicians, etc., was strong, and we continue to work together in the fight.

Building the Kingdom

In 2020, Love Adelaide (WFL) gathered 3,000+ faithful people in Pennington Gardens, walking to the South Australian Parliament steps. Since then, Love Adelaide has held an annual WFL, even miraculously through the COVID restrictions. Creatively and prayerfully, we gave our all to see the WFL continue, and the numbers attending are growing. We, as a family-friendly event, have seen so much fruit from every WFL — it truly is Jesus at work.

Love Adelaide is expanding — and since 2023, with other Australian states coming on board, it has evolved to become Love Australia. In all, it is a brilliant team where everyone volunteers, working tirelessly with everything done in prayer, trusting God and listening to Him, following His directions.

We know it is only in union with the Lord that we have been able to see Him build His kingdom — for Life to be protected. We are now instrumental in raising awareness and equipping the Church to be a ‘House of Refuge’ for those who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy. This is fruitful and flourishing, with a constantly expanding number of congregations training their people to speak for the unborn and be the hands and feet of Jesus, offering practical, emotional and spiritual help.

The Lord is faithful to His word and has rebuilt the walls with united watchmen in persistent prayer who do not lose faith.

Abortion is such a contentious issue that currently, several political leaders are stopping their own party from even mentioning abortion or bringing forth any bills to save unborn lives — sadly, their love of position and power seems to have taken precedence over innocent lives.

God’s mercies are new every morning. We do not take this for granted — we humble ourselves and ask for His mercy over the shedding of innocent blood. The Lord’s blood on the mercy seat in heaven continually speaks a better word than vengeance, His blood continually speaks MERCY!

This year, from January 19^th to February 8^th, we seek the Lord for His Mercy and Truth to flood this nation. We pray that so many in darkness will come to salvation and many in deception will come to freedom in Him who is the truth, to choose life for their offspring and raise them in the love of Jesus!

To participate in these 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting for Mercy and Truth, you can receive daily emails written by dedicated leaders and pastors across the nation, sent to your inbox. Email ‘Prayer’ to  info@loveaustralia.org.au. They will also be posted every day on The Daily Declaration — now Australia’s largest Christian News site.

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