Dear Mike,
One of the questions we hear often is, "Why do we
need to pray at the abortion clinic when it's
closed?" There are several answers, but the part I'll
focus on today is this ...
... You never know what God has in store!
Brian was praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Hackensack, New Jersey around 6 one morning -- before
the abortion facility opened. A couple got out of a
taxi and walked towards the building and waited.
Brian spoke to them, and they were still waiting when
he had to leave. A short time later, a group of
friars arrived to pray. The clinic was still locked
tight. The couple, however, had left. Brian hopes
they called another cab and simply went back home.
To see some of the faithful people praying at the
abortion center in Hackensack, including some of the
friars who are frequently present at the vigil,
please visit:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=349
Beth in Phoenix knows of babies saved from abortion
because people were praying at the 40 Days for Life
vigil while the clinic was closed.
Women often arrive at the abortion facility without
realizing it is not open every day. Beth said that's
why it is important to be there praying every day of
the 40 Days for Life campaign –- including the times
the center is closed.
Christine and three friends were praying at the
vigil, and the place was deserted. After a while,
they noticed that two young women had arrived. They
tried to open the clinic door, and it was locked.
The women went back to their car and sat for about
five minutes. Christine walked over and handed them a
flyer with information about pregnancy resource
centers. "They were very grateful," she said.
Beth and James spent time praying at Planned
Parenthood in Phoenix when the facility was closed.
"We were the only ones there," said James, "just
praying quietly by ourselves."
Two teenage girls walked by, and James asked if they
knew the building was an abortion center. But they
just kept walking. A few minutes later, however, the
girls came back.
"One of them started by asking us if we were going to
adopt and raise the babies we were trying to save
from abortion, and saying how awful the foster care
system is for kids," he said. "It was clear they came
back just to challenge us."
Right about that time, a man walked up and offered
cold drinks to Beth and James (this is Phoenix, and
it's still very hot there). The man had heard the
conversation, and began to tell the girls that he had
been born in a home for unwed mothers and was
adopted. That opened the way for further discussion,
and this time the girls were all ears.
"These two girls listened to everything we, and the
gentleman, had to say," said James. "They said they
respected us and what we were doing and believed; you
could see their whole outlook had changed."
As the girls walked away, James and Beth "knew why
the Lord had brought us out there at that time, on a
day when there was no real compelling reason to be
there, except for obedience; for two girls to whom we
could have easily not reached out, except for a
still, small voice."
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone,
National Director of Priests for Life...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 17 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
May all understand more deeply that the pro-life
message is rooted in the two basic truths of life:
There is a God;
He isn't me
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the
ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of
life; and man became a living being.
-- Genesis 2:7
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
-----------------------------------------------------
From the beginning of the Bible until the end, the
theme is echoed that God alone has dominion over
human life. He made it; shared it; died to save it;
will raise it up forever.
The act of creation described in Genesis 2:7, and
earlier in Genesis 1:26-27, is a sovereign act. God
did not have to do it, and would have been happy
forever without us.
Yet without our asking for it or earning it, God
brought us out of nothingness and into life, and
sustains our existence at every moment. And He does
so in Christ. "For by Him all things were
created...in
Him all things exist" (Colossians 1:16-17).
"You are not your own," Paul declares in 1
Corinthians 6. God alone owns us. While He entrusts
us to the care of one another, He does not allow any
human being to own another.
A Southern California abortionist, James McMahon,
once explained how he justified killing children
after 20 weeks gestation by partial-birth abortion.
He did not deny that this was a child, but rather
asked, "Who owns the child? It's got to be the
mother."
The struggle over abortion is really a struggle over
the dominion of God. The Christian individual, and
the Christian Church, cannot sit idly by when others
declare that God is not God.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Lord, we are yours. Thank you for breathing into us
the breath of life. Thank you for claiming us as your
own. May our words and actions in defense of human
life proclaim to all the world that you alone are
Lord of life and death, Lord of our freedom and of
our choices. We pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day17print.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
P.S.- Thanks to the thousands of you who have flooded
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's office with calls and
faxes, asking him to VETO the unconstitutional "bubble
zone" ordinance that is trying to silence pro-life
free speech at 40 Days for Life vigils! If you haven't
yet, please call his office at 312-744-3300 between
8 AM and 5 PM Central time and ask him to protect free
speech and VETO the bubble zone law!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Day 16: Please take action
In a direct attack on 40 Days for Life and the rights of local pro-life sidewalk counselors, the Chicago city council on Wednesday passed a new ordinance intended to cripple 40 Days for Life and silence pro-life free speech within a 50-foot “bubble zone” around abortion facilities.
The new city ordinance will not only block sidewalk counseling and pro-life signs within 50 feet of all entrances to an abortion facility, it would also prevent any pro-lifer from being within eight feet of an abortion customer without getting that person’s permission. Anyone found in violation could be fined up to $500.
The law is such a clear violation of First Amendment constitutional rights that even the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) — no friend of the pro-life movement — sided with local pro-life interests in opposing aspects of the ordinance.
According to observers at the council meetings, a Planned Parenthood representative testified that pro-life vigils make it difficult for women to reach their “services,” while a representative from a local late-term abortion facility (that has seen business detrimentally affected by 40 Days for Life) directly mentioned the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil as reason to pass the ordinance.
While this is a setback for the Chicago 40 Days for Life, I want to emphasize that this is NOT merely a Chicago issue. Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry are working aggressively to implement bubble zone laws like this across the country.
That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news:
** WE CAN STILL DEFEAT THIS BUBBLE ZONE **
Before this bad law goes into effect, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has to approve it. We have a narrow window of time to convince the mayor to VETO the bubble zone ordinance.
PLEASE call Mayor Daley’s office immediately at 312-744-3300 to say: “Mayor Daley, please don’t restrict freedom of speech in Chicago. VETO the bubble zone ordinance!”
So many calls have already been flooding into the mayor’s office that they’ve set up an automated system for the public to speak out on the bubble zone. If you get the automated system, here are the steps to follow:
1.) CALL Mayor Daley’s office at 312-744-3300
2.) PRESS 1 to submit your opinion on the bubble zone ordinance
3.) Then PRESS 2 to vote NO on the bubble zone
To send the mayor a fax instead: 312-744-8045
If we don’t push back hard against this clearly unconstitutional law, Planned Parenthood and the rest of the abortion industry will feel empowered to trample on the rights of pro-life free speech all across the country.
Please act now — while there’s still time!
Here’s today’s devotional from Carmen Pate, co-host of the nationally syndicated “Point of View” radio talk show…
—————————————————–
DAY 16 INTENTION
—————————————————–
Pray that as young couples or single moms choose life for their child, the church will come alongside them physically, emotionally, and spiritually to help bear their burdens.
—————————————————–
SCRIPTURE
—————————————————–
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
– Galatians 6:1-2
—————————————————–
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, Point of View
—————————————————–
Restoring those who are broken from sexual sin and who desire to live life differently — a life focused on Christ — is a burden the church must share. What an awesome opportunity for a spiritually mature woman to come alongside a single mom as a mentor and friend.
A regular time together praying and studying God’s Word will help her mature in her walk with the Lord. Allowing her opportunity to observe life as you live it — meal preparation, family time, and providing wholesome conversation and wise counsel on a frequent basis — can provide teaching moments that will benefit her for a lifetime. Introducing her to a small group or class in the church where she and her baby are welcomed and plugged in will be vital to her restoration.
These are just a few examples of things the body of Christ can do. Staying connected with young couples or single moms who have chosen life should continue beyond the celebration of the child’s birth if we truly desire to fulfill the law of Christ in bearing one another’s burdens.
You will find it is not a burden after all, but a tremendous blessing as your family line extends to include these precious souls as part of your own.
—————————————————–
PRAYER
—————————————————–
Dear Lord, as our Shepherd You so tenderly care for us — pulling us from the miry pit, guiding and directing us safely along the path of life, protecting us from the dangers that are ahead and taking us to pastures that are green.
Lord, use us as Your vessels to shepherd these young men and women who have honored you by choosing life for their child.
Give us wisdom and discernment along with Your love and compassion so that we are never a stumbling block but rather a guide that always takes them to You, the true Shepherd. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
—————————————————–
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
—————————————————–
To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day16print.pdf
—————————————————–
For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
P.S.- Remember, the unconstitutional bubble zone is not YET the law in Chicago. Mayor Daley has to sign it first. Call his office right now at 312-744-3300 and tell him to protect free speech in Chicago and veto the bubble zone!
The new city ordinance will not only block sidewalk counseling and pro-life signs within 50 feet of all entrances to an abortion facility, it would also prevent any pro-lifer from being within eight feet of an abortion customer without getting that person’s permission. Anyone found in violation could be fined up to $500.
The law is such a clear violation of First Amendment constitutional rights that even the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) — no friend of the pro-life movement — sided with local pro-life interests in opposing aspects of the ordinance.
According to observers at the council meetings, a Planned Parenthood representative testified that pro-life vigils make it difficult for women to reach their “services,” while a representative from a local late-term abortion facility (that has seen business detrimentally affected by 40 Days for Life) directly mentioned the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil as reason to pass the ordinance.
While this is a setback for the Chicago 40 Days for Life, I want to emphasize that this is NOT merely a Chicago issue. Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry are working aggressively to implement bubble zone laws like this across the country.
That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news:
** WE CAN STILL DEFEAT THIS BUBBLE ZONE **
Before this bad law goes into effect, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has to approve it. We have a narrow window of time to convince the mayor to VETO the bubble zone ordinance.
PLEASE call Mayor Daley’s office immediately at 312-744-3300 to say: “Mayor Daley, please don’t restrict freedom of speech in Chicago. VETO the bubble zone ordinance!”
So many calls have already been flooding into the mayor’s office that they’ve set up an automated system for the public to speak out on the bubble zone. If you get the automated system, here are the steps to follow:
1.) CALL Mayor Daley’s office at 312-744-3300
2.) PRESS 1 to submit your opinion on the bubble zone ordinance
3.) Then PRESS 2 to vote NO on the bubble zone
To send the mayor a fax instead: 312-744-8045
If we don’t push back hard against this clearly unconstitutional law, Planned Parenthood and the rest of the abortion industry will feel empowered to trample on the rights of pro-life free speech all across the country.
Please act now — while there’s still time!
Here’s today’s devotional from Carmen Pate, co-host of the nationally syndicated “Point of View” radio talk show…
—————————————————–
DAY 16 INTENTION
—————————————————–
Pray that as young couples or single moms choose life for their child, the church will come alongside them physically, emotionally, and spiritually to help bear their burdens.
—————————————————–
SCRIPTURE
—————————————————–
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
– Galatians 6:1-2
—————————————————–
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, Point of View
—————————————————–
Restoring those who are broken from sexual sin and who desire to live life differently — a life focused on Christ — is a burden the church must share. What an awesome opportunity for a spiritually mature woman to come alongside a single mom as a mentor and friend.
A regular time together praying and studying God’s Word will help her mature in her walk with the Lord. Allowing her opportunity to observe life as you live it — meal preparation, family time, and providing wholesome conversation and wise counsel on a frequent basis — can provide teaching moments that will benefit her for a lifetime. Introducing her to a small group or class in the church where she and her baby are welcomed and plugged in will be vital to her restoration.
These are just a few examples of things the body of Christ can do. Staying connected with young couples or single moms who have chosen life should continue beyond the celebration of the child’s birth if we truly desire to fulfill the law of Christ in bearing one another’s burdens.
You will find it is not a burden after all, but a tremendous blessing as your family line extends to include these precious souls as part of your own.
—————————————————–
PRAYER
—————————————————–
Dear Lord, as our Shepherd You so tenderly care for us — pulling us from the miry pit, guiding and directing us safely along the path of life, protecting us from the dangers that are ahead and taking us to pastures that are green.
Lord, use us as Your vessels to shepherd these young men and women who have honored you by choosing life for their child.
Give us wisdom and discernment along with Your love and compassion so that we are never a stumbling block but rather a guide that always takes them to You, the true Shepherd. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
—————————————————–
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
—————————————————–
To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day16print.pdf
—————————————————–
For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
P.S.- Remember, the unconstitutional bubble zone is not YET the law in Chicago. Mayor Daley has to sign it first. Call his office right now at 312-744-3300 and tell him to protect free speech in Chicago and veto the bubble zone!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
DAY 15: Overcoming the darkness
Dear Mike,
Most 40 Days for Life prayer vigils are conducted
outside abortion facilities that are either in
stand-alone buildings or in medical office parks.
There are, of course, some exceptions.
One of those exceptions is in Halifax, Nova Scotia,
where abortions are performed in a hospital. So it's
hard to know who among the many hundreds of women
entering the hospital are there for an abortion, and
good news about lives changed through prayer is hard
to come by.
Still, local coordinator Julie Culshaw has always
been convinced that prayer works. Vigil participants
were asked to pray for specific people in the
hospital, including a woman who worked part-time as a
counselor in the abortion unit. Julie just learned
that this woman has given up that position and has
asked for a transfer to another ward.
"She said she 'felt such darkness' when she had to
work in the Pregnancy Termination Unit, as it is
called," Julie said. "Praise God; this is an answer
to prayer!"
At another 40 Days for Life vigil location -- this
one will have to remain anonymous, for reasons you
will see -- a local business had been helping the
campaign. The business owners serve as agents for a
prominent national company.
"Abortion advocates have continually harassed the
local agents and pressured the national corporation
to mandate that they disassociate from our 40 Days
for Life campaign," said the local 40 Days for Life
coordinator. "I cannot in good conscience ask them to
place their livelihood as risk."
It's really too bad. 40 Days for Life had been good
for this company's business. Still, the local
campaign coordinator is optimistic. "My heart
rejoices that we were honored with this level of
persecution and the opportunity to persevere and
witness to God's truth and pray for His glory to be
revealed in the strength and sustenance He provides
for us to continue onward."
Sometimes, the truth is revealed in other ways.
It isn't often that anyone from Planned Parenthood
agrees to publicly debate abortion; but in Lubbock,
Texas, a Planned Parenthood representative agreed to
take part in a discussion organized by a group of
pro-life medical students at Texas Tech.
But once a notice of the event was published in the
newspaper, the Planned Parenthood spokesperson backed
out, reportedly saying he would be unable to
participate in anything related to 40 Days for Life.
"The question is," asked Dan in Lubbock, "if abortion
is such a good thing, in their view, why isn't it
robustly defensible 24/7?"
The answer is simple: They cannot argue the facts.
There is no defense for abortion ...
... And that's something even children understand.
It was a dark, rainy day in Richmond, Virginia. Becca
was headed to the abortion facility to pray at the
40 Days for Life vigil with her 3-year-old daughter,
Anna. "As we drove to the clinic," she said, "I
explained to her why we were going, what we would be
doing there, and who we would be praying for."
While they were standing in the rain, Becca took
Anna's picture. It's the only time Becca can ever
recall that Anna didn't smile for a picture.
See the photo online at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=337
Anna is only 3 years old, but she understands. Please
continue to pray that all may see, with a child's
eyes, the darkness that must be overcome.
Here's today's devotional from Rev. Rob Schenck,
President of Faith and Action...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 15 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
May God's people awaken to the fact that we are our
brothers' keepers.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to
pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up
against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the
Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He
said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" And
He said, "What have you done? The voice of your
brother's blood cries out to me from the ground."
-- Genesis 4:8-10
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Rev. Rob Schenck, Faith and Action
-----------------------------------------------------
"Methinks he doth protest too much ..."
The Bible is filled with passages that speak to our
obligation to care for our fellow human beings. From
the many commands in the books of Moses enjoining
love of family, neighbors and even strangers, to
Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, the injunction
to care for others is inescapable.
In this account, the guilt-stricken Cain tries to
shrug off his obligation to his own kin by dismissing
it as an unreasonable duty. A la Shakespeare, though,
"methinks he doth protest too much." Cain's objection
doesn't stem from his sense of proper boundaries of
responsibility, but from his own self-centered sense
of self-preservation.
Christ said, "Greater love has no one than this, than
to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).
This is the standard of divine love. It required God
to sacrifice what was most precious to Him for the
temporal and eternal well being of all humankind (see
John 3:16). Though on a much-reduced scale, he
expects us to do the same.
Trying to duck our obligation to others is futile. We
can't get away with simply dismissing others,
especially the most vulnerable among us: the
pre-born, the disabled, the sick and the aged. As
with Cain, God sees and hears their suffering and
will call us to account for what we do -- or do not
do -- for them.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Father, help us to embrace the fact that we are our
"brother's keeper." When, due to selfish motives, we
try to cast off this responsibility please call to us
to account. We would be pleasing to you and to our
"brother." Through the help and grace of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day15print.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
Most 40 Days for Life prayer vigils are conducted
outside abortion facilities that are either in
stand-alone buildings or in medical office parks.
There are, of course, some exceptions.
One of those exceptions is in Halifax, Nova Scotia,
where abortions are performed in a hospital. So it's
hard to know who among the many hundreds of women
entering the hospital are there for an abortion, and
good news about lives changed through prayer is hard
to come by.
Still, local coordinator Julie Culshaw has always
been convinced that prayer works. Vigil participants
were asked to pray for specific people in the
hospital, including a woman who worked part-time as a
counselor in the abortion unit. Julie just learned
that this woman has given up that position and has
asked for a transfer to another ward.
"She said she 'felt such darkness' when she had to
work in the Pregnancy Termination Unit, as it is
called," Julie said. "Praise God; this is an answer
to prayer!"
At another 40 Days for Life vigil location -- this
one will have to remain anonymous, for reasons you
will see -- a local business had been helping the
campaign. The business owners serve as agents for a
prominent national company.
"Abortion advocates have continually harassed the
local agents and pressured the national corporation
to mandate that they disassociate from our 40 Days
for Life campaign," said the local 40 Days for Life
coordinator. "I cannot in good conscience ask them to
place their livelihood as risk."
It's really too bad. 40 Days for Life had been good
for this company's business. Still, the local
campaign coordinator is optimistic. "My heart
rejoices that we were honored with this level of
persecution and the opportunity to persevere and
witness to God's truth and pray for His glory to be
revealed in the strength and sustenance He provides
for us to continue onward."
Sometimes, the truth is revealed in other ways.
It isn't often that anyone from Planned Parenthood
agrees to publicly debate abortion; but in Lubbock,
Texas, a Planned Parenthood representative agreed to
take part in a discussion organized by a group of
pro-life medical students at Texas Tech.
But once a notice of the event was published in the
newspaper, the Planned Parenthood spokesperson backed
out, reportedly saying he would be unable to
participate in anything related to 40 Days for Life.
"The question is," asked Dan in Lubbock, "if abortion
is such a good thing, in their view, why isn't it
robustly defensible 24/7?"
The answer is simple: They cannot argue the facts.
There is no defense for abortion ...
... And that's something even children understand.
It was a dark, rainy day in Richmond, Virginia. Becca
was headed to the abortion facility to pray at the
40 Days for Life vigil with her 3-year-old daughter,
Anna. "As we drove to the clinic," she said, "I
explained to her why we were going, what we would be
doing there, and who we would be praying for."
While they were standing in the rain, Becca took
Anna's picture. It's the only time Becca can ever
recall that Anna didn't smile for a picture.
See the photo online at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=337
Anna is only 3 years old, but she understands. Please
continue to pray that all may see, with a child's
eyes, the darkness that must be overcome.
Here's today's devotional from Rev. Rob Schenck,
President of Faith and Action...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 15 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
May God's people awaken to the fact that we are our
brothers' keepers.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to
pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up
against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the
Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He
said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" And
He said, "What have you done? The voice of your
brother's blood cries out to me from the ground."
-- Genesis 4:8-10
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Rev. Rob Schenck, Faith and Action
-----------------------------------------------------
"Methinks he doth protest too much ..."
The Bible is filled with passages that speak to our
obligation to care for our fellow human beings. From
the many commands in the books of Moses enjoining
love of family, neighbors and even strangers, to
Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, the injunction
to care for others is inescapable.
In this account, the guilt-stricken Cain tries to
shrug off his obligation to his own kin by dismissing
it as an unreasonable duty. A la Shakespeare, though,
"methinks he doth protest too much." Cain's objection
doesn't stem from his sense of proper boundaries of
responsibility, but from his own self-centered sense
of self-preservation.
Christ said, "Greater love has no one than this, than
to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).
This is the standard of divine love. It required God
to sacrifice what was most precious to Him for the
temporal and eternal well being of all humankind (see
John 3:16). Though on a much-reduced scale, he
expects us to do the same.
Trying to duck our obligation to others is futile. We
can't get away with simply dismissing others,
especially the most vulnerable among us: the
pre-born, the disabled, the sick and the aged. As
with Cain, God sees and hears their suffering and
will call us to account for what we do -- or do not
do -- for them.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Father, help us to embrace the fact that we are our
"brother's keeper." When, due to selfish motives, we
try to cast off this responsibility please call to us
to account. We would be pleasing to you and to our
"brother." Through the help and grace of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day15print.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
DAY 14: The tide is turning
Dear Mike,
The headline on the brand new Pew Research Center
report reads: "Support for abortion slips."
Interesting finding ... especially DURING a 40 Days
for Life campaign!
Specifically, the Pew survey revealed that support
for legal abortion plummeted from 54% in 2007 to only
47% in 2009.
Then the study reports: "No single reason for the
shift in opinions is apparent..."
With tens of thousands of faithful people praying and
fasting together for an end to abortion, I can think
of one possible reason... :-)
Whatever the cause, we praise God for this shift --
and for all of you who have been praying and fasting
for an end to abortion.
I've noticed that the YouTube video of 40 Days for
Life vigil participants in New York City being
heckled by abortion advocates has spread far and wide
through blogs and e-mail. If you haven't seen it yet,
it's definitely worth a look:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=321
Such counter-demonstrations seem to be more heavily
concentrated in larger cities. And even there, the
opposition effort isn't quite what the abortion
advocates might have you believe.
A "pro-choice" blogger in New York City urged more
like-minded people to "stand up and fight back"
against 40 Days for Life. So how do they counter 40
Days for Life's all-day, 40-day prayer effort? By
inviting people to show up for a mere four hours on
Saturday.
Jim in Los Angeles said people praying at an abortion
center there had a similar "welcoming committee." But
the prayer continued through all the noise.
"Under such conditions, the sound and feel of
taunting and intimidation were ever in the air," Jim
said, "but I so experienced the peace of God, which
he freely gave. For all the hate and insults we
endured today, there was a victory from the Lord."
The victory? A baby was saved from abortion!
Here's a story that hits close to home for me...
This past weekend, abortion supporters targeted the
40 Days for Life vigil in Manassas, Virginia -- not
far from Washington, D.C.
On Saturday -- the morning my home church was signed
up to cover the vigil -- the abortion advocates got a
permit to conduct a demonstration against 40 Days for
Life at the place the vigil usually takes place.
But when the day came, there were 197 pro-life people
praying at the clinic -- and only THREE abortion
demonstrators. Demoralized, they didn't stay long.
To see a photo of just a few of the faithful people
who came to stand up for life in Manassas, go here:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=321
And here's "the rest of the story"...
While all those people were out there praying, a
woman walked towards the clinic for an abortion
appointment. After people on the sidewalk spoke to
her, she entered the nearby pro-life pregnancy center
instead.
"The lady who was about to have the abortion told the
counselor she started to shiver when she saw so many
people praying," said Ken Groves of the Manassas
40 Days for Life campaign. "At that moment she said
she felt God wanted her to have her baby. A precious
baby was saved! It was an amazing Saturday in
Manassas."
In New Jersey, a newspaper report on the 40 Days for
Life vigil in Woodbridge contained a shocking
revelation showing that the abortion industry even
knows they're losing.
The manager of the clinic where the vigil is in
progress told a reporter that the sight of people
praying outside makes an impact on women arriving for
abortions. "To a lot of patients, it changed their
mind right away and they never come back," she said.
"It happens a lot."
People KNOW abortion is wrong; we just need to get
them to think about it.
And that's exactly the thing 40 Days for Life
prayerfully, peacefully insists that people do.
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, the
National Director of Priests for Life...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 14 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
Abortion is the great "no." May all of God's people
have the freedom and grace to say "yes" to His
marvelous plans.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my
mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and
that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden
from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully
wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes
saw my substance, being yet unformed and in Your book
they all were written, The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
-- Psalm 139:13-16
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
-----------------------------------------------------
Unlike the rest of creation, we are capable of a
personal relationship with God. Not only did God
create us, but created us according to a plan devised
from all eternity. No matter how far back we go in
our imagination, there was never a time when God did
not know each of us, in every detail of our being.
There was not a particular time when God decided to
make us. The decision to make us has been in the mind
of God from all eternity. All our days were written
in His book.
To dare to say that a human being, developing in the
womb, should not be born is as wrong as to say that a
born person should not continue to grow and live. In
each case, an attack on human life is an attack on
the God who formed and made us. Jesus Christ is the
great "yes" to the promises of God; abortion is the
great "no."
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Lord, I pray today for every unborn child. The beauty
of the bodies and souls of these children flows from
your hands and your eternal plan.
Awaken in every human conscience a profound reverence
for human life, and grant us grace to defend our
smallest and most defenseless brothers and sisters,
those still being formed in the secret places of
their mothers' womb. We ask this through Christ our
Lord, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day14print.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
The headline on the brand new Pew Research Center
report reads: "Support for abortion slips."
Interesting finding ... especially DURING a 40 Days
for Life campaign!
Specifically, the Pew survey revealed that support
for legal abortion plummeted from 54% in 2007 to only
47% in 2009.
Then the study reports: "No single reason for the
shift in opinions is apparent..."
With tens of thousands of faithful people praying and
fasting together for an end to abortion, I can think
of one possible reason... :-)
Whatever the cause, we praise God for this shift --
and for all of you who have been praying and fasting
for an end to abortion.
I've noticed that the YouTube video of 40 Days for
Life vigil participants in New York City being
heckled by abortion advocates has spread far and wide
through blogs and e-mail. If you haven't seen it yet,
it's definitely worth a look:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=321
Such counter-demonstrations seem to be more heavily
concentrated in larger cities. And even there, the
opposition effort isn't quite what the abortion
advocates might have you believe.
A "pro-choice" blogger in New York City urged more
like-minded people to "stand up and fight back"
against 40 Days for Life. So how do they counter 40
Days for Life's all-day, 40-day prayer effort? By
inviting people to show up for a mere four hours on
Saturday.
Jim in Los Angeles said people praying at an abortion
center there had a similar "welcoming committee." But
the prayer continued through all the noise.
"Under such conditions, the sound and feel of
taunting and intimidation were ever in the air," Jim
said, "but I so experienced the peace of God, which
he freely gave. For all the hate and insults we
endured today, there was a victory from the Lord."
The victory? A baby was saved from abortion!
Here's a story that hits close to home for me...
This past weekend, abortion supporters targeted the
40 Days for Life vigil in Manassas, Virginia -- not
far from Washington, D.C.
On Saturday -- the morning my home church was signed
up to cover the vigil -- the abortion advocates got a
permit to conduct a demonstration against 40 Days for
Life at the place the vigil usually takes place.
But when the day came, there were 197 pro-life people
praying at the clinic -- and only THREE abortion
demonstrators. Demoralized, they didn't stay long.
To see a photo of just a few of the faithful people
who came to stand up for life in Manassas, go here:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=321
And here's "the rest of the story"...
While all those people were out there praying, a
woman walked towards the clinic for an abortion
appointment. After people on the sidewalk spoke to
her, she entered the nearby pro-life pregnancy center
instead.
"The lady who was about to have the abortion told the
counselor she started to shiver when she saw so many
people praying," said Ken Groves of the Manassas
40 Days for Life campaign. "At that moment she said
she felt God wanted her to have her baby. A precious
baby was saved! It was an amazing Saturday in
Manassas."
In New Jersey, a newspaper report on the 40 Days for
Life vigil in Woodbridge contained a shocking
revelation showing that the abortion industry even
knows they're losing.
The manager of the clinic where the vigil is in
progress told a reporter that the sight of people
praying outside makes an impact on women arriving for
abortions. "To a lot of patients, it changed their
mind right away and they never come back," she said.
"It happens a lot."
People KNOW abortion is wrong; we just need to get
them to think about it.
And that's exactly the thing 40 Days for Life
prayerfully, peacefully insists that people do.
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, the
National Director of Priests for Life...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 14 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
Abortion is the great "no." May all of God's people
have the freedom and grace to say "yes" to His
marvelous plans.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my
mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and
that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden
from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully
wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes
saw my substance, being yet unformed and in Your book
they all were written, The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
-- Psalm 139:13-16
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
-----------------------------------------------------
Unlike the rest of creation, we are capable of a
personal relationship with God. Not only did God
create us, but created us according to a plan devised
from all eternity. No matter how far back we go in
our imagination, there was never a time when God did
not know each of us, in every detail of our being.
There was not a particular time when God decided to
make us. The decision to make us has been in the mind
of God from all eternity. All our days were written
in His book.
To dare to say that a human being, developing in the
womb, should not be born is as wrong as to say that a
born person should not continue to grow and live. In
each case, an attack on human life is an attack on
the God who formed and made us. Jesus Christ is the
great "yes" to the promises of God; abortion is the
great "no."
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Lord, I pray today for every unborn child. The beauty
of the bodies and souls of these children flows from
your hands and your eternal plan.
Awaken in every human conscience a profound reverence
for human life, and grant us grace to defend our
smallest and most defenseless brothers and sisters,
those still being formed in the secret places of
their mothers' womb. We ask this through Christ our
Lord, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day14print.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
Monday, October 5, 2009
First Podcast Available At My New Podcast Site!!!
As promised, my first podcast has been uploaded on my new podcast site: http://achristianperspectiveonlife.podbean.com/
This first podcast was a little rough - I need some practice with this whole podcasting thing - and it is a little long (over an hour), but I'm hopeful that with more practice I'll eventually be able to create a very professional sounding podcast. Please visit my podcast site and if you have any feedback please email me at: mjduquaine@gmail.com. Thanks and God bless!
This first podcast was a little rough - I need some practice with this whole podcasting thing - and it is a little long (over an hour), but I'm hopeful that with more practice I'll eventually be able to create a very professional sounding podcast. Please visit my podcast site and if you have any feedback please email me at: mjduquaine@gmail.com. Thanks and God bless!
DAY 13: 123 babies saved -- so far!
Dear Mike,
Judging from the hundreds of e-mail messages I get
daily, you like to hear stories about babies saved
from abortion, and you like to see pictures of 40
Days for Life in action. So, today I bring you both!
Kristina and Michele in Syracuse, New York were
praying in front of Planned Parenthood when two young
women stopped to talk. One of the young women said
she was pregnant and going to Planned Parenthood for
an abortion.
Instead, she was encouraged to visit a pro-life
pregnancy resource center where she was offered a
free ultrasound. "Long story short," said Kristina,
"the girl decided against having the abortion. Praise
the Lord!"
"To all those who are there with us in spirit and
praying at home, we thank you from the bottom of our
hearts," Michele added. "It is because of your
prayers and God's love and mercy that this young
woman's baby was saved."
You can see a picture of some of the 40 Days for Life
participants in Syracuse at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=315
Sandy in Toms River, New Jersey reported that a young
couple drove into the abortion center parking lot.
The woman got out and walked towards the clinic; the
man stayed in the car.
A counselor asked if the young woman needed any help.
She told the counselor she was pregnant and couldn't
take care of another baby because she already had a
young child. The woman went back to the car, looked
at the pro-life literature she was given, and then
entered the building.
An hour later, she left the clinic and went back to
the sidewalk to tell the counselor she had decided to
keep the baby.
"I am convinced that all the prayers and sacrifices
being offered to God since the start of the campaign
had a part in this miracle," Sandy said. "In a
spectacular display of religious unity in our belief
in the sanctity of life, a group of women from the
Pentecostal Church of Grace and Peace prayed at the
front of the clinic while a group of Catholic women
prayed by the entrance. This is what 40 Days for Life
is all about!"
To see a picture of the faithful people taking part
in 40 Days for Life in Toms River, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=315
Melissa in Charlotte, North Carolina found out
firsthand that because of its widespread
availability, abortion can even tempt people of
faith. At the 40 Days for Life vigil, she met a woman
who was at the clinic to schedule an abortion.
"She broke down crying and revealed that she was a
Christian, who had fallen into sin," Melissa said.
The child's father, a married leader in her church,
was pressuring her to have an abortion. "She knew it
was wrong, but she didn't know what to do." She had
spoken to her pastor, but had not received any
definitive counsel.
Still, it was obvious the woman knew the truth; her
car had a "let God have his way" sticker and the
bible was sitting on the passenger seat. "We hugged
her and listened to her as she poured her heart out
and wept on our shoulder. After baring her soul,"
Melissa said, "she chose life!"
Melissa asks for your prayers for this woman. "She
has a very difficult road ahead and she is obviously
going to be ostracized by those closest to her for
making the decision to carry this child to term."
To see a picture of the 40 Days for Life team in
Charlotte, standing alongside a mobile ultrasound
unit, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=315
Those are just a FEW of the stories of at least 123
lives saved so far by your prayers and participation
in this 40 Days for Life.
I can't wait to share even more stories and pictures
with you in the coming days!
Here's today's devotional from Randolph Sly of the
National Pro-life Religious Council...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 13 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
For all fathers who are terrified of being fathers.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is
God in His holy habitation.
-- Psalm 68:5
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Randolph Sly
-----------------------------------------------------
I had a friend many years ago who confided in me that
he was terrified of being a father. He and his wife
already had two children when this revelation came
forth. "I never knew my father," he explained, "and I
have no idea what a father is supposed to do."
We continued to share about this, as well as pray
together. He began to see he had a father's heart for
his children. His biggest problem was not a
limitation on love but not knowing how to act out
this love.
One day we talked about the verse quoted at the top
of this page. I shared that he did know his Father...
not his biological father but his Heavenly Father,
who had rescued him from a life of destruction not
many years before.
"How did your Heavenly Father guide you?" I asked. He
talked about the ways he had seen God's love offered
to him and the way the Lord had used circumstances
and the Scriptures to mold him and mature him. "Well,
the Lord wants to do the same thing through you for
your children. Be available to His love and available
to your kids. You'll do fine."
How wonderful it is to know that God takes a personal
interest in each of us, many times using His faithful
people -- the Church -- as channels of this love. No
one is fatherless who lives in the Lord. His fatherly
care begins at the moment of our conception, as it is
written, "you knit me together in my mother's womb"
(Psalm 139:12), and continues to be poured upon us
throughout our lives.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Heavenly Father, we thank you for caring about each
of us so deeply. Help us to see and know you as our
Father in heaven each and every day of our lives.
Your loving hand also rests on every child today
carried in its mother's womb. May they be born into
this world and come to know fully and personally your
endless love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our
Lord, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day13print.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
Judging from the hundreds of e-mail messages I get
daily, you like to hear stories about babies saved
from abortion, and you like to see pictures of 40
Days for Life in action. So, today I bring you both!
Kristina and Michele in Syracuse, New York were
praying in front of Planned Parenthood when two young
women stopped to talk. One of the young women said
she was pregnant and going to Planned Parenthood for
an abortion.
Instead, she was encouraged to visit a pro-life
pregnancy resource center where she was offered a
free ultrasound. "Long story short," said Kristina,
"the girl decided against having the abortion. Praise
the Lord!"
"To all those who are there with us in spirit and
praying at home, we thank you from the bottom of our
hearts," Michele added. "It is because of your
prayers and God's love and mercy that this young
woman's baby was saved."
You can see a picture of some of the 40 Days for Life
participants in Syracuse at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=315
Sandy in Toms River, New Jersey reported that a young
couple drove into the abortion center parking lot.
The woman got out and walked towards the clinic; the
man stayed in the car.
A counselor asked if the young woman needed any help.
She told the counselor she was pregnant and couldn't
take care of another baby because she already had a
young child. The woman went back to the car, looked
at the pro-life literature she was given, and then
entered the building.
An hour later, she left the clinic and went back to
the sidewalk to tell the counselor she had decided to
keep the baby.
"I am convinced that all the prayers and sacrifices
being offered to God since the start of the campaign
had a part in this miracle," Sandy said. "In a
spectacular display of religious unity in our belief
in the sanctity of life, a group of women from the
Pentecostal Church of Grace and Peace prayed at the
front of the clinic while a group of Catholic women
prayed by the entrance. This is what 40 Days for Life
is all about!"
To see a picture of the faithful people taking part
in 40 Days for Life in Toms River, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=315
Melissa in Charlotte, North Carolina found out
firsthand that because of its widespread
availability, abortion can even tempt people of
faith. At the 40 Days for Life vigil, she met a woman
who was at the clinic to schedule an abortion.
"She broke down crying and revealed that she was a
Christian, who had fallen into sin," Melissa said.
The child's father, a married leader in her church,
was pressuring her to have an abortion. "She knew it
was wrong, but she didn't know what to do." She had
spoken to her pastor, but had not received any
definitive counsel.
Still, it was obvious the woman knew the truth; her
car had a "let God have his way" sticker and the
bible was sitting on the passenger seat. "We hugged
her and listened to her as she poured her heart out
and wept on our shoulder. After baring her soul,"
Melissa said, "she chose life!"
Melissa asks for your prayers for this woman. "She
has a very difficult road ahead and she is obviously
going to be ostracized by those closest to her for
making the decision to carry this child to term."
To see a picture of the 40 Days for Life team in
Charlotte, standing alongside a mobile ultrasound
unit, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=315
Those are just a FEW of the stories of at least 123
lives saved so far by your prayers and participation
in this 40 Days for Life.
I can't wait to share even more stories and pictures
with you in the coming days!
Here's today's devotional from Randolph Sly of the
National Pro-life Religious Council...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 13 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
For all fathers who are terrified of being fathers.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is
God in His holy habitation.
-- Psalm 68:5
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Randolph Sly
-----------------------------------------------------
I had a friend many years ago who confided in me that
he was terrified of being a father. He and his wife
already had two children when this revelation came
forth. "I never knew my father," he explained, "and I
have no idea what a father is supposed to do."
We continued to share about this, as well as pray
together. He began to see he had a father's heart for
his children. His biggest problem was not a
limitation on love but not knowing how to act out
this love.
One day we talked about the verse quoted at the top
of this page. I shared that he did know his Father...
not his biological father but his Heavenly Father,
who had rescued him from a life of destruction not
many years before.
"How did your Heavenly Father guide you?" I asked. He
talked about the ways he had seen God's love offered
to him and the way the Lord had used circumstances
and the Scriptures to mold him and mature him. "Well,
the Lord wants to do the same thing through you for
your children. Be available to His love and available
to your kids. You'll do fine."
How wonderful it is to know that God takes a personal
interest in each of us, many times using His faithful
people -- the Church -- as channels of this love. No
one is fatherless who lives in the Lord. His fatherly
care begins at the moment of our conception, as it is
written, "you knit me together in my mother's womb"
(Psalm 139:12), and continues to be poured upon us
throughout our lives.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Heavenly Father, we thank you for caring about each
of us so deeply. Help us to see and know you as our
Father in heaven each and every day of our lives.
Your loving hand also rests on every child today
carried in its mother's womb. May they be born into
this world and come to know fully and personally your
endless love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our
Lord, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day13print.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
Sunday, October 4, 2009
DAY 12: Praying in the rain
Dear Mike,
It wouldn't be 40 Days for Life without reports of
wet weather. But a bit of rain hasn't discouraged
people from coming out to pray. In fact, not even a
LOT of rain has dampened the desire to go to the
sidewalks outside abortion centers to ask for God's
grace and mercy.
It was before 6 in the morning -- well before sunrise
-- when people gathered to pray at a 40 Days for Life
prayer vigil outside a Nashville abortion center. And
it was pouring.
"Advocates braved torrential rains and a dark night
sky to speak for the helpless and vulnerable," said
Jane. "Of special encouragement was the enormous
courage of a pregnant mom who refused to be forced
into an abortion she did not want."
Clearly the sight of people praying in the rain
helped inspire her courage. To see what the people
approaching that clinic saw on a stormy day in
Nashville, go here:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312
The rain also didn't stop a group of sixth and eight
graders from St. Michael School from praying at the
40 Days for Life vigil in Dallas.
As the children prayed, a woman arrived for an
abortion appointment. Counselors met her and learned
she was 12 weeks pregnant. The counselor, Joanne,
asked one of the other volunteers to bring a fetal
model of a 12-week baby to show the young woman.
Milissa brought the model -- along with her 8-month
old baby. Joanne told the woman, "The only difference
between your baby and Milissa's baby is time."
The woman who had arrived for an abortion began to
cry. She had seen the truth.
The volunteers walked with her to the pro-life
pregnancy center across the street. And the school
children kept praying -- in the rain.
To see the children ... and their umbrellas, go here:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312
It's also been rainy in Denmark, where Susanne Westh
Larsen is coordinating that country's first 40 Days
for Life campaign outside a hospital where abortions
are performed.
Susanne reports "strong wind, some rain and dark
skies over the hospital. Sometimes I have had to hold
very strongly onto the signboard so not to have it
fly away from me. It illustrates the anger that is
obviously directed against the campaign both on inner
and outer planes."
Newspaper articles about 40 Days for Life in Denmark
are "not too positive," and many of the comments are
outright hostile. "But there have been positive
reactions also," Susanne added.
Susanne has put up 40 Days for Life posters -- and a
cross-shaped display of photos of unborn babies that
her husband put together. You can see the display at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312
The poster says "Let me live!" Below the image of an
unborn child, there's scripture: "Harden not your
hearts."
A 4-year-old boy took great interest, so Susanne
asked his mother if the child could have a copy of
the picture. His mom agreed. Six teenagers also took
the pictures. "It certainly makes my day when small
children and teenagers see and recognize and love
these little unborn babies," Susanne said.
If you've followed any 40 Days for Life campaign
before, you may expect this report about rainy
weather to end with a rainbow. It does! Go here to
see it:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312
Prior to their kickoff event, Amy in St. Petersburg,
Florida said it rained for two hours. "I was
receiving phone calls inquiring if the prayer vigil
would be canceled!" Right on schedule, the rain
stopped. "As the people began to arrive," Amy said,
"we were blessed with a beautiful sign from God!"
Yes, the rainbow is a sign; but so are God's people,
who faithfully answer His call.
Here's today's devotional from Kevin Burke,
Executive Director of Rachel's Vineyard Ministries...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 12 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
May the King of the Universe, who entered this world
as a helpless infant, give us the humility to be
healed.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
My power is made perfect in weakness.
--2 Corinthians 12:9
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Kevin Burke, Rachel's Vineyard
-----------------------------------------------------
The great mystery of the Humility of God is very near
and dear to the mission of those serving in pro life
and in a special way, post abortion ministries across
this nation.
For those wounded by their participation in abortion,
the door to healing often feels like crossing an
abyss of great fear: fear of judgment, fear of being
torn apart by the pain, by self hatred and rage at
those who hurt and abandoned you, and manipulated you
in your time of temptation.
For men in particular, entering the unknown waters of
emotional vulnerability, so necessary to healing
calls for a different kind of courage that feels
deceptively like weakness.
The door to healing is humility. It is born in the
inability to no longer control the pain, to live with
the consequences of that tragic decision to reject
life. The hearts cries out, "I have committed a grave
offense against my Creator and I am consumed by
regret, grief and sorrow!"
During these forty days let us pray for all who have
participated in abortion and with love call them to
healing and reconciliation. With healing these women
and men can become as John Paul II proclaimed in the
Gospel of Life, "the most eloquent defenders of
everyone's right to life."
Jesus proclaimed, "I am the Vine, you are the
branches" (John 15:5). To bear the greatest fruit,
the branches must be pruned. Each level of pruning of
the vine requires a deeper level of humility so that
we can abandon ourselves to His will.
This is not a lofty theological concept as much as it
is an earthy experience of pulling weeds, tilling
rocky soil, pruning and healing the vines. "If a man
wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self,
take up his cross, and begin to follow in my
footsteps" (Matthew 16:24).
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Lord, during these forty days, we ask that with each
day of this sacred vigil, everything in us that
separates us from your perfect will would be pruned
from our hearts and souls.
In this blessed freedom may we experience a powerful
anointing of your Holy Spirit. Filled with confidence
and trust may we proclaim with the mother of Jesus,
"Let it be done to me, according to your Word."
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day12print.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
It wouldn't be 40 Days for Life without reports of
wet weather. But a bit of rain hasn't discouraged
people from coming out to pray. In fact, not even a
LOT of rain has dampened the desire to go to the
sidewalks outside abortion centers to ask for God's
grace and mercy.
It was before 6 in the morning -- well before sunrise
-- when people gathered to pray at a 40 Days for Life
prayer vigil outside a Nashville abortion center. And
it was pouring.
"Advocates braved torrential rains and a dark night
sky to speak for the helpless and vulnerable," said
Jane. "Of special encouragement was the enormous
courage of a pregnant mom who refused to be forced
into an abortion she did not want."
Clearly the sight of people praying in the rain
helped inspire her courage. To see what the people
approaching that clinic saw on a stormy day in
Nashville, go here:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312
The rain also didn't stop a group of sixth and eight
graders from St. Michael School from praying at the
40 Days for Life vigil in Dallas.
As the children prayed, a woman arrived for an
abortion appointment. Counselors met her and learned
she was 12 weeks pregnant. The counselor, Joanne,
asked one of the other volunteers to bring a fetal
model of a 12-week baby to show the young woman.
Milissa brought the model -- along with her 8-month
old baby. Joanne told the woman, "The only difference
between your baby and Milissa's baby is time."
The woman who had arrived for an abortion began to
cry. She had seen the truth.
The volunteers walked with her to the pro-life
pregnancy center across the street. And the school
children kept praying -- in the rain.
To see the children ... and their umbrellas, go here:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312
It's also been rainy in Denmark, where Susanne Westh
Larsen is coordinating that country's first 40 Days
for Life campaign outside a hospital where abortions
are performed.
Susanne reports "strong wind, some rain and dark
skies over the hospital. Sometimes I have had to hold
very strongly onto the signboard so not to have it
fly away from me. It illustrates the anger that is
obviously directed against the campaign both on inner
and outer planes."
Newspaper articles about 40 Days for Life in Denmark
are "not too positive," and many of the comments are
outright hostile. "But there have been positive
reactions also," Susanne added.
Susanne has put up 40 Days for Life posters -- and a
cross-shaped display of photos of unborn babies that
her husband put together. You can see the display at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312
The poster says "Let me live!" Below the image of an
unborn child, there's scripture: "Harden not your
hearts."
A 4-year-old boy took great interest, so Susanne
asked his mother if the child could have a copy of
the picture. His mom agreed. Six teenagers also took
the pictures. "It certainly makes my day when small
children and teenagers see and recognize and love
these little unborn babies," Susanne said.
If you've followed any 40 Days for Life campaign
before, you may expect this report about rainy
weather to end with a rainbow. It does! Go here to
see it:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=312
Prior to their kickoff event, Amy in St. Petersburg,
Florida said it rained for two hours. "I was
receiving phone calls inquiring if the prayer vigil
would be canceled!" Right on schedule, the rain
stopped. "As the people began to arrive," Amy said,
"we were blessed with a beautiful sign from God!"
Yes, the rainbow is a sign; but so are God's people,
who faithfully answer His call.
Here's today's devotional from Kevin Burke,
Executive Director of Rachel's Vineyard Ministries...
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 12 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
May the King of the Universe, who entered this world
as a helpless infant, give us the humility to be
healed.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
My power is made perfect in weakness.
--2 Corinthians 12:9
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Kevin Burke, Rachel's Vineyard
-----------------------------------------------------
The great mystery of the Humility of God is very near
and dear to the mission of those serving in pro life
and in a special way, post abortion ministries across
this nation.
For those wounded by their participation in abortion,
the door to healing often feels like crossing an
abyss of great fear: fear of judgment, fear of being
torn apart by the pain, by self hatred and rage at
those who hurt and abandoned you, and manipulated you
in your time of temptation.
For men in particular, entering the unknown waters of
emotional vulnerability, so necessary to healing
calls for a different kind of courage that feels
deceptively like weakness.
The door to healing is humility. It is born in the
inability to no longer control the pain, to live with
the consequences of that tragic decision to reject
life. The hearts cries out, "I have committed a grave
offense against my Creator and I am consumed by
regret, grief and sorrow!"
During these forty days let us pray for all who have
participated in abortion and with love call them to
healing and reconciliation. With healing these women
and men can become as John Paul II proclaimed in the
Gospel of Life, "the most eloquent defenders of
everyone's right to life."
Jesus proclaimed, "I am the Vine, you are the
branches" (John 15:5). To bear the greatest fruit,
the branches must be pruned. Each level of pruning of
the vine requires a deeper level of humility so that
we can abandon ourselves to His will.
This is not a lofty theological concept as much as it
is an earthy experience of pulling weeds, tilling
rocky soil, pruning and healing the vines. "If a man
wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self,
take up his cross, and begin to follow in my
footsteps" (Matthew 16:24).
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Lord, during these forty days, we ask that with each
day of this sacred vigil, everything in us that
separates us from your perfect will would be pruned
from our hearts and souls.
In this blessed freedom may we experience a powerful
anointing of your Holy Spirit. Filled with confidence
and trust may we proclaim with the mother of Jesus,
"Let it be done to me, according to your Word."
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2009day12print.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
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