'Pray for God to touch the hearts of our Supreme Court justices'

Local people are invited to join a national prayer campaign  as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a case that could change abortion laws.  

The campaign is being run by the national 40 Days for Life, which organizes people to pray for an end to abortion for 40 consecutive days, twice a year.   

Lee Crowley, Worcester vigil coordinator, said the local 40 Days for Life campaign is among campaigns in numerous cities that signed up to participate in this additional campaign on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.  

On Dec. 1, the Supreme Court is to hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Mississippi’s only abortion clinic. The clinic is challenging a 2018 Mississippi law that prohibits abortions after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, says a Catholic News Agency story. The story says the primary question before the court is the constitutionality of Mississippi’s law, but that the state, in its brief, explicitly asks the Court to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.  

The Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson could overturn Roe v. Wade and put abortion law back under state control, says an email that Worcester 40 Days for Life leaders sent to participants.  

The email invites people to sign up for an hour “to pray for God to touch the hearts of our Supreme Court justices.” Sign-ups to pray on the sidewalk outside the Planned Parenthood abortion facility at 470 Pleasant St. in Worcester can be made at https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/worcester Hours already filled by team members are 7-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. Nov. 30 and 7 a.m.-1 p.m. on Dec. 1.   

“To harness as much prayer as possible during those two critical days, we are also encouraging church-based prayer,” the email says. It suggests people meet with their prayer group at church on those days and that they encourage those who would not normally pray on the sidewalk to join them. Or they might schedule a holy hour and invite those who will not pray on the sidewalk to pray at church. Other suggestions are having Mass said for the Supreme Court justices’ enlightenment or asking one’s pastor for permission to include this intention at Masses, other services and Bible studies.   

Those organizing special times of prayer are asked to call or text Mrs. Crowley at 508-887-1064 so these events can be publicized on the Worcester 40 Days website.   

Already posted there is the announcement that St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Westborough has planned adoration after the 9 a.m. Mass until 1 p.m. on Nov. 30.  

“If you are homebound, can you commit to praying during a particular hour at home (maybe together with a family member or caretaker)?” the email asks. It encourages people who do that to let leaders know so they can “log those hours” too.   

“Together with Pro-Life Action League, Students for Life, and other pro-life groups who are mobilizing similar efforts, we can, through God’s grace, make a difference!” the email says. “Hope to see you on the sidewalks!”