I’m one of them – one of the 40 Days For Life volunteers, standing on the sidewalk in front of the Planned Parenthood business in Federal Way.

We are praying for the helpless. The defenseless. Unborn babies.

And, we pray for their mothers and fathers, too. We pray for guidance for those who are scared, worried, or feel they are in crisis. We also say prayers for the doctors, and the Planned Parenthood workers, and our community.

Yes, we can love them all. We can help both baby and mother. Our vigil is part of the statewide, nationwide and worldwide 40 Days For Life campaign to raise awareness about the over 55 million babies whose lives have been taken in the United States alone, in the last 40 years. See www.numberofabortions.com. We are called to stand for life. The problem is enormous. It is taking its toll all across our country, and right next door with our neighbors.

The solution is not to end the baby, it is to end the crisis. The answer is knowledge, local resources and prayer.

Many in our community are not aware of what is taking place right in their city of Federal Way.

Our focus is to join together in loving unity and bring hope and free help, to women. We peacefully pray, and try to keep from crying, though the loss of life can be overwhelming.

Each time we are on the sidewalk, a woman has come to us and shared a story with words like these: “Thank you for taking the time to do this! Years ago, I was single and pregnant. Everyone was telling me to have an abortion. It was really a hard time for me. But I had my baby and am so glad I made that choice.”

So we gather in love, prayer and song to reach out to mothers and fathers because the joy of life is awesome, and the help available here in Federal Way is real. Their decision will be with them for the rest of their lives.

Maureen Bernardy, Federal Way