Ames Planned Parenthood Prayer Team FAQ
Where do I stand:
- You can stand on the sidewalk in front and the side of the Planned Parenthood building. You can also stand in the driveway entrance but must move if a car
- Please do not stand in the area in RED.
- The yellow area is the entrance to the Planned Parenthood facility and should not be blocked in any way. You can talk to someone in their car if they motion you over to them, but you should not stand in that area.
- The sidewalks on either side of the entrance or along side the Planned Parenthood facility are where you should stand to pray and sidewalk counsel.
THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINIC IS INDICATED WITH THE PIN. DON'T PARK IN THE AREAS MARKED IN RED.
PARKING AVAILABLE ALONG THE STREET AND IN THE PARKING RAMP.
- Parallel parking along Chamberlain Street and Hayward Ave. There are free and metered parking options on these streets.
- Parking Ramp- Ames Intermodal Facility; cash & credit card
- Do NOT park in the Planned Parenthood parking lot
The focus of your time is to provide a peaceful and prayerful presence to all entering the clinic. Some pray silently or with prayer partners. Some hold signs. Some engage in sidewalk counseling. Some do all three! There is no set rule as to what you should or should not do. Some do not feel comfortable engaging in conversation with clients entering the facility and that is okay. Each person is called a different aspect during their time.
Please reach out to your parish community first. If you are not able to locate anyone, contact our office and we can help arrange for another person to attend with you. If you have never prayed on the sidewalk, we highly recommend attending with a veteran sidewalk advocate that can give you guidance and education.
Please attend a sidewalk advocacy training session.
Our next training session will be August 3rd and you can find details HERE.
Here are some practical tips...
- Smile & greet with love
- Give literature & explain that you can offer help
- Ask & listen
- Solve the problem/meet the need (MOM/BABY/GOD)
- Meet her where she is at
- She is in crisis; you need to address HER need first.
- Save the mother, save the child.
- Offer concrete help to empower her
- Be calm and supportive
- Be gentle & compassionate in your voice & demeanor
- Empower her to leave
- Pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance
- Don’t stare at clients or ‘gang up’ on her
- Don’t hold pictures of aborted babies
- Don’t yell things like “Don’t kill your baby!”
- Don’t condemn or use judgmental language
- Don’t dress immodestly while sidewalk counseling
- Don’t take pictures of clients or workers
*Basic Training Manual Sidewalk Advocates for Life*
You can print out these tips HERE.
You are more than welcome to bring your children. It can be a powerful witness for clients entering the facility to see a family or mom with her children praying for her. Please keep in mind that they may witness harsh language and gestures and you should prepare them for that should it occur. Please keep in mind safety first and realize that things can be unpredictable on the sidewalk.
If you show up for your scheduled time and no one else is there, please return to your car. You should never sidewalk counsel alone. You can simply pray in your car during your scheduled time.
- Read and sign the Pledge of Commitment before you attend your first scheduled time.
- Do not attend your scheduled time without a prayer partner, never sidewalk counsel alone.
- You are there to help abortion vulnerable women and men; be loving, kind and non-confrontational.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to be with you during your time there.
- Communicate any unusual or new information to your prayer team and to Pulse Life Advocates HERE.
If you show up for your scheduled time and no one else is there, please return to your car. You should never sidewalk counsel alone. You can simply pray in your car during your scheduled time.