Dear Mike,
The day before this fall's 40 Days for Life campaign
began, the local team in Orange County, California
received some great news.
Nathan had just been born -- at a very healthy nine
pounds!
At once point, however, Nathan's life had definitely
been at risk. Thankfully, he was one of the babies
whose mom chose life during the spring 40 Days for
Life campaign.
"Please tell all those people thank you," said
Nathan's mother. "Thank you for being there praying
for people that you do not know. You made a huge
difference in my life and in my baby's life. I cannot
thank you enough for what you did."
The Orange County team also got to meet a different
baby named Jack. He had been scheduled to be aborted
... TWICE!
But his mother chose life.
Jack's adoptive mom brought him with her when she
went to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil.
We rejoice for all the lives saved ...
... 299!
Yes, 299 children have been spared from abortion
during the fall 40 Days for Life campaign thus far,
thanks to your prayers, fasting, standing vigil, and
the grace of Almighty God!
That's also 299 mothers who have been spared a life
of regrets following an abortion decision.
Praise God!
The 40 Days for Life team in Manassas, Virginia sees
the value of having a pro-life resource center very
close to the abortion facility. Ken said a 19-year-
old girl arrived at with her mother, fully intent on
making an appointment for an abortion.
"They did an ultrasound and found she was 26 weeks
pregnant," he said. "This abortion facility only does
first-trimester abortions, so they sent her away."
The girl and her mother were directed to the pro-life
pregnancy center, where the counselors told her about
all the resources that were available.
"The wonderful counselors helped her decide to have
her baby," said Ken. "Another life saved! The prayers
of our 40 Days for Life participants were powerful."
In Houston, Texas, people participating in the
40 Days for Life vigil in front of a Planned
Parenthood abortion facility have been able to
redirect many abortion-minded women to the pro-life
pregnancy resource center around the corner -- where
they can find real help and compassion instead of
Planned Parenthood's sales pitch for abortion.
One young woman walked into Planned Parenthood, then
turned around and came out almost immediately. "I had
a bad feeling after walking in the door," she said,
"and wanted to get out of there right away." When she
arrived at the nearby pro-life center, she said,
"This is much better. I feel more comfortable here."
This is most telling. She had a bad feeling about
Planned Parenthood -- and all she did was walk
inside! Doesn't that demonstrate that we're in the
midst of a spiritual battle? And that just shows that
we must pray harder and fast more faithfully.
These bad feelings are also being experienced by
those who work in the clinics. Just the other day, I
shared the story of the clinic receptionist who said,
"I'm going to quit my disgusting job." She's not the
only one who feels that way.
At another 40 Days for Life location, the prayer
vigil participants have had regular discussions with
a clinic employee.
She has now decided to leave her job!
"I want out of that place" is the way she put it. And
one of her co-workers is almost ready to leave her
job as well (that's why I'm not identifying the
location; can you imagine the pressure she would face
if her employers found out?)
Please pray for these women -- and for all people who
seek the courage and strength to leave the deadly
abortion industry.
Here's today's devotional from Ernest Ohlhoff,
Outreach Director for National Right to Life...
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DAY 27 INTENTION
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We pray for humility in our work for God's Kingdom.
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SCRIPTURE
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Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ
Jesus, who being in the form of God did not consider
it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of
no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and
coming in the likeness of men. And being found in
appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became
obedient to the point of death, even the death of the
cross.
-- Philippians 2:5-8
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REFLECTION by Ernest Ohlhoff
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There is no limit to what we can accomplish when we
don't care who gets the credit.
Jesus Christ's life on earth exemplifies a total
submission to the will of the Father. His humility,
compassion, gentleness and thoughtfulness are
reflected over and over again in the New Testament.
He was God incarnate, yet He chose to be born to a
humble, working class home.
How absurd it must have seemed to the rich and
powerful that the Son of God, the Messiah, the one
foretold by the prophets, the 'King of the Jews' was
born and raised as a simple peasant.
During His thirty-three years on earth, He sought no
riches, claimed no secular power and gathered no
possessions. Yet, His short time on earth changed
more lives, softened more hearts, and gave hope to
more people, than all the rich and powerful human
'kings' combined.
And, at the end of His life on earth, by dying on the
cross, He opened the door to eternal life for those
who heed his words and follow in his footsteps.
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PRAYER
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O Lord, help us follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Let
us humbly and diligently work to restore legal
protection for the unborn, the disabled, the
medically dependent and all innocent children of God
whose lives are threatened. Let us remember the old
adage that "He can never lead who has not first
learned to obey." And, Lord, grant us a peaceful
heart as we labor in your name. Amen.
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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day27print.pdf
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Mike, thank you SO MUCH for your prayers and
efforts that are making such a powerful impact.
I appreciate you!!
Yours for Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
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