The following is an excerpt from Marion's article, Pray for Disabled Womb Babies which appeared in Christian Citizen USA. copyright 2005

Pray for Disabled Womb Babies
Commentary by Marion Ferguson-Witcher



As the mother of an adult child with a disability and founder of a special needs prayer mission, I am intimately familiar with the challenges associated with parenting a child with special needs. I am also the first to admit that raising our children can appear overwhelming at times. Nevertheless, I have yet to meet anyone who regretted that his or her child was ever born. In fact, the parents that I’ve met express quite the opposite. They share that the challenges and struggles endured, do not compare to the lessons and blessings received. I concur. However, I’m also aware that not all parents are willing to embrace the joys and challenges that come with caring for a child with special needs.

This fact was confirmed in a Christian Homes and Special Kids’ pro-life brochure, which states that 80% of unborn babies with medical concerns are terminated. Learning this, I am compelled to solicit your help, “Please join me and the New Hope for Special Needs prayer team in praying for the plight of “disabled womb babies.” By the way, try not be offended by the term “disabled womb babies.” These three words just adequately express the vulnerability of those unborn who are endangered because they are medically challenged.

In line with this, pray that God would impart compassion into the hearts of all in our society, who believe that babies must fit a pre-determined description of normality before they are allowed to be born. Ask Him to move upon the hearts of those who claim to be pro-life except if the baby has Down syndrome, except if the unborn child has a cleft lip, or some other abnormality. I can only imagine how we would feel if everyone were entitled to God’s love, mercy, and abundant life except for those of us with certain types of personal challenges.

It is equally imperative that we petition God on behalf of parents; they are the ultimate earthly decision makers. They are the ones who can choose to come in agreement with God’s plan for their child’s life. Let us ask God to give them wisdom, divine guidance, and favor with their unborn.

Another important aspect worth praying about is diagnostic testing. Although it has its benefits, there are times when it is used to determine which baby should live and which one should be terminated. Pray that more parents would use diagnostic tests as a pro-life tool, which can help parents prepare spiritually and emotionally for the arrival of a child with special needs. Let us support those who choose to know the condition of their unborn baby.

Remember, God even allowed Mary to know that she was going to give birth to a special child, named Jesus.

Many babies perish because of the mother’s lack of knowledge. Pray that families be given pro-life information and consider allowing the child to be adopted rather than aborted.

Lastly, let us pray for a mission called, Christian Homes and Special Kids. This non-profit organization encourages mothers and their families by providing practical pro-life information. CHASK even provides opportunities to communicate by phone or letter with other parents of children with special needs.