Braving chilly winds and the possibility of inconsiderate motorists, 33 participants became links in Life Chain, an annual expression of support for unborn children, according to the Rev. Allen Wilburn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Buchanan.

“Considering the wind and cloud cover and the fact that we have mostly a senior congregation, I think it was a great crowd,” said the Rev. Wilburn. “I especially appreciate the young people and their parents who brought them.

“We accomplished our goal of prayer,” said Wilburn, who reported no unpleasantness with passersby.

Life Chain is a national movement that takes place annually in more than 1,500 cities in order to pray that children will not fall victim to abortion, according event chairman Lyndon Smith of Draketown.

Mr. Smith’s mother, Elizabeth Smith, who helped organized a Life Chain in Arkansas, stated, “I believe that Jesus Christ died that we might live. I think we’re obligated to fight for life.”

Participants held signs that read, “Adoption, the Loving Option,” “Abortion Kills Children” and “Jesus Forgives & Heals.” Standing or sitting some 5 yards apart along the sidewalks of Buchanan’s Business 27 Highway, Life Chain participants prayed silently for one hour with help from prayer suggestions on the back of each sign. The chain stretched across two city blocks in front of homes, across the street from a gas station and the Haralson-Polk Baptist Association office.

“Absolutely; without a doubt!” declared the Rev. Rodney Wilburn, Pastor of Buchanan’s Open Door Baptist Church, when asked if he believed in prayer. “Scripture tells us that abortion is wrong. Psalms says, ‘Before I formed you, I knew your inward parts.’ Science tells us that there’s no difference in a 5-day old embryo and a living human.”

Bobby and Dorothy Parker of Tallapoosa sat next to each other in the Life Chain. Before the vigil, Mr. Parker said, “I believe in prayer. One thing you often find is that prayer changes you as you humble yourself before your Creator.”

“I believe in prayer,” said Brooke Southern, a young participant. “It’s good that our community is involved in Life Chain.”

Haralson County High School freshman Joey Patterson, 14, of Bremen, said, “Every child should have a chance to live.”