The non-denominational event on Aug. 1 will see different Christian denominations refer to their own religious traditions to pray for preserving the dignity of human life and for the defence of the most innocent.
“Ideally for Catholics, if we could in Catholic churches across Canada have perpetual adoration or Mass said or a rosary... to actually mark the day of prayer and fasting,” said Natalie Hudson Sonnen, executive director of LifeCanada. “For Evangelical groups and Protestant groups, they can get together in their churches and spend time in prayer according to their tradition.”
As for individuals, Sonnen says they can also “dedicate time to prayer and they can fast on that day. It kind of encompasses both an individual and an institutional approach.”
The hope is that people and organizations will sign up with LifeCanada so the group can keep tallies on the numbers of participants.
“Abortion serves the good of neither the woman and her family, nor does it serve the good of the unborn child,” said Sonnen.
Sonnen said the need for a National Day of Prayer and Fasting arose because of the rise of pro-abortion activism in Canada. She cites Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau demanding that all party members running for election must be pro-choice. She also cites the National Abortion Federation's push to fund abortion services in New Brunswick and to make abortion accessible on Prince Edward Island. P.E.I. is the only province in Canada where legal abortions don't take place.
“We really felt that these issues are serious,” said Sonnen. “Our enemies are not the people on the other side. To quote St. Paul, we’re fighting against powers and principalities, not flesh and blood. It really is an issue I believe needs to be addressed on not just a purely material level, also on a metaphysical level.”
She thinks the power of prayer is immense.
“I think in the past few years, we’ve seen the abortion issue really come out in the public square in a really pronounced way, not always positively,” she said.
Sonnen attributes the positive side to 40 Days for Life campaigns around the world where prayer vigils are held outside abortion clinics in campaigns lasting 40 days.
Sonnen expects to hold another National Day of Prayer and Fasting as the need arises. Last year, LifeCanada held a day of prayer for the fight against legalizing euthanasia in Quebec.
For more information on the day of prayer, visit www.lifecanada.org.