The Beginning of the End of Abortion -- 40 Days for Life, September 24 -- November 2

Devotional for Day 15, October 8, 2014

Rev. Rob Schenck, President, Faith in Action

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: “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 in- junction 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 human- kind (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.

Right before the start of the campaign, we reported on a 40 Days for Life effort that has helped delay the opening of a new abortion business in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

There is still no abortion center there, and efforts continue to prevent one from opening. Keep praying!

We’ve also become aware of two other 40 Days for Life locations where there are encouraging signs that abortions may be coming to an end. More prayers are needed there, as well.

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood wants to start doing abortions in a community near the Central Florida resort area – but local Christians have responded with a firm “NO!”

Kissimmee, Florida

“We have launched our first-ever, 24-hour-a-day 40 Days for Life vigil in front of a brand new 8,000 square foot Planned Parenthood mega center,” said Irma, the local coordinator in Kissimmee. The facility is open, but is not permitted to do abortions.

Planned Parenthood secretly bought this building earlier this year. “But before Planned Parenthood opened,” Irma said, “the community expressed their outrage, sadness and dismay.”

Regular vigils were held outside the location. People packed city commission meetings to express their concern. And a group of 70 physicians signed a full-page newspaper ad that clearly stated their objections to Planned Parenthood – and their own dedication to preserving life.

Since the 40 Days for Life campaign started, people have spent time on the sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood “during daytime and at night, under the sun and yes, also during rainy days,” Irma said.

“Night hours are very peaceful, but also full of hope,” she added. “Those of us who have been there have experienced a lot of joy for being able to share our love and prayers to help save our innocent babies.”

Buffalo, New York

Three people were praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil outside the abortion center in Buffalo when a taxi pulled up … and a young couple got out.

“The man was carrying a bag that appeared to be a change of clothing,” said one of the volunteers. “As they slowly walked directly in front of us, they read our signs and heard our words of prayer.”

The couple made eye contact with the vigil participants. “Their faces were full of emotion, but they continued to walk to the clinic. Just before they turned the corner to enter the clinic, they stopped once again to look back at us. They were very somber, but kept going.”

Only a few minutes later, however, the young man and woman walked out of the abortion business. They again looked directly at the people praying on the sidewalk … and kept on walking!

“We'll never really know exactly what changed their minds,” said the volunteer. “As they walked away, the man continued to turn around about every ten feet to look back at us. It was as if he was in disbelief of what had almost happened."

Devotional for Day 16, October 9, 2014

Rev. John Ensor, PassionLife

Intention: Pray for the mothers going into pregnancy help centers. The personal care, the free ultrasound, the ongoing practical help is designed to deliver them from those who profit in shedding innocent blood.

Scripture: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. —Matthew 11:28

Reflection: “You have twins. That will be another $350.” She did not speak English. But she finally understood that they were telling her to go get more money and return for her abortion. She had already given them her rent money. But they were not about to give her a two-for-one deal. They told her to get dressed and return with more cash. A couple, who was praying outside, comforted her. They brought her to their local pregnancy help center. The staff quickly saw that her personal circumstances were so desperate, and immediate, that they would need direct and ongoing help from local Christians and churches. They started making calls. Then they did the ultrasound. It showed there was only one baby, not two. This abandoned, immigrant, powerless mother was being exploited. She would do whatever she was told. Who would know? Who would care? God calls us to “Rescue the weak and the needy; and deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:4). When you provide an alternative to abortion you are not only rescuing innocent babies, you are delivering mothers from the wicked: those who profit in the shedding of innocent blood. Pray for those who rescue and deliver daily at your local pregnancy help center.

Prayer: Father, hear our prayer! Snatch desperate mothers from the fire. Bring them out of our abortion businesses and into our pregnancy help centers. Deliver them from evil. Use us to help them chose life and see your hand of provision.

A 40 Days for Life campaign gives one more chance. One more chance for the mom ... and one last chance for the baby.

Some women and men take that last chance and save their child from abortion. But of course, some don't. The ones who do are grateful for your willingness to pray ... and to offer that one last chance.

Here are a few examples.

St. Louis, Missouri

“I want to tell you something,” said a woman who drove up to the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil and rolled down her window. “I want you all to know that you are making a difference.”

After the 40 Days for Life volunteer thanked her for the kind words, the woman asked, “Can I show you something?” It was a photo on her phone – a happy 7-month-old baby boy.

By this time, the woman was in tears. “This is my fourth child.”

She then went on to explain how she was planning an abortion because she didn’t think she could take on the responsibility of another child. “But because you all were here, I changed my mind. I have my son because of you.”

Grand Rapids, Michigan

“It’s amazing,” said Lisa, the local 40 Days for Life director in Michigan, who shared the story of one mom who changed her mind about abortion.

“She had gone to the clinic already – for more than one abortion appointment with this pregnancy – and each time did not go through with the abortion,” Lisa said. “But she kept coming back.”

When she arrived for yet another appointment, she said she felt God nudging her towards the sidewalk counselors. Instead of going into the abortion facility, she went instead to the nearby pregnancy help center for an ultrasound.

“Thanks be to God,” Lisa said, “she chose life for her baby!”

She faces a number of challenges – including financial ones – but life-affirming ministries are now helping her.

Lisa also noted her appreciation for the boys’ soccer team from Central Catholic High School, who took time to pray at the vigil.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

On a recent day during this 40 Days for Life campaign, members of seven different churches prayed outside Planned Parenthood in Virginia Beach.

While they prayed, a young woman walked over and asked if anyone had a Bible. She and her husband already had a one-year-old … and wondered if they could take care of another baby.

“They had scheduled an abortion,” said one of the volunteers, “but when they drove into Planned Parenthood, they realized they didn't belong there.”

The young woman spoke to a priest who was with the group praying, and he reassured her that God would watch over them and that she was making the right decision.

“I can't help but wonder what would have happened if there had not been people standing on the sidewalk praying,” said Louantha, the local coordinator in Virginia Beach. “Your prayers and presence really do make a big difference.”

Devotional for Day 17, October 10, 2014

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

Intention: May all understand more deeply that the pro-life message is rooted in two basic truths of life: 1) There is a God 2) 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: 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 for- ever 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 the process known as 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.

Abortion brings darkness to a community ... a darkness that needs our silence in order to survive. It brings death to the innocent. It also brings emotional, spiritual ... even physical suffering.

In 297 cities right now, volunteers are shining a light into that darkness through their prayers and presence.

We know from the gospel that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). We cannot ignore this darkness in our communities. We must trust the light of Christ to penetrate the darkest corners of our culture.

Tempe, Arizona

“The image of a young man at the Tempe Planned Parenthood is one that I will never forget,” said Lisa, the local 40 Days for Life leader in Tempe. In his grief, he bent down and prayed.

He then stopped to talk to the prayer volunteers. “How fitting that you are out here,” he said. “I’ve been through this. My girlfriend had an abortion last week. She was 15 weeks pregnant … and this was not what I wanted.”

He was looking for someone to console and encourage him. “I’m a believer,” he said, “and I said my prayer.”

“When asked if we can keep him in prayer,” Lisa said, “he said yes. So please pray for this young man to find comfort and healing. We will also continue to pray for the young women who have made their ‘choice’ without knowing the full impact.”

This young man wanted his child, but that child was taken by the violence of abortion. However, he is trying to bear this with patience and sorrow … wanting to learn how he can make sure this won't happen again.

“We never know,” said Lisa, “how the Holy Spirit will work during our time on the sidewalk.”

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

It was a somber scene outside the abortion center in Pittsburgh as an ambulance pulled up … and medical teams were called inside.

“This is the third time I have personally seen a woman taken out by stretcher during a 40 Days for Life vigil,” said Nikki, the local leader. “We prayed for her. She was alert and her face was tear-stained as she was carried out. Abortion is devastating.”

Please keep this in mind the next time you’re told that abortion is “safe and legal.”

Manassas, Virginia

“We are having a great impact on the abortion clinic,” said Mike, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator in Manassas. “Last Saturday, no abortionist showed up. This is extremely rare for a Saturday. For those who were there, it was very rewarding to witness an empty parking lot.”

Mike said that in addition to prayer, a great resource for saving babies is close at hand – a pregnancy help center with counselors, who “day in and day out, try to talk to each woman as they approach the abortion clinic, offering them all the help they need.”

It's a tough job that takes tough skin and a big caring heart, he said. “But the rewards are eternal.”

Devotional for Day 18, October 11, 2014

Randolph Sly, National Pro-Life Religious Council

Intention: We pray for a flowering of the joy of parenthood.

Scripture: Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a re- ward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate. —Psalm 127:3-5

Reflection: I still vividly remember the day my first child was born. As she came into the world I gazed upon the most beautiful little baby I’d ever seen. Later I was driving home from the hospital for a shower and a fresh change of clothes when a song came on the radio, “The Men in My Little Girl’s Life”—a ballad about being a father as he watches his daughter grow through childhood to womanhood. I wept as I listened, knowing the years would go by very fast—and they did. Being a father, whenever I read the Psalm quoted above I’m always captivated by one word: “heritage.” It basically means “something passed down from a preceding generation.”

That little girl I watched being born and wept for is not mine to give to God like a product of our fertility, but rather His, which he has entrusted to us. So are all her siblings. My wife and I share a great treasure: precious lives, which are placed in our lineage that His life with us might be perpetuated. To the psalmist, this was a blessing from the Lawgiver, God Himself, who blessed Israel with another generation intended to continue their covenantal promise. For us in Christ, it is his gift of succeeding generations for His Church and her families. These days I’m looking upon my grandchildren, and rejoicing that my children and their spouses will pass on the greatness of Christ’s gospel to them and thus will continue the work of God in the world. What a blessing. What a heritage!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please keep me from taking for granted the gift of children. Help us to remember this heritage that you have given us. Make us faithful stewards of these precious lives, that each generation might be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Today we have updates from the United States, Canada and Nigeria. The power of prayer is on display in all of these locations!

One report is from Abuja, Nigeria – which Robert Colquhoun, our international outreach director, recently visited. It's a story of how the impact of 40 Days for Life can often be felt in unexpected places. We'll be hearing much more from Robert soon!

Earlier this week, we talked about the campaign in Kissimmee, Florida. An appeals court has overturned an injunction that blocked Planned Parenthood from performing abortions at its new facility there. So please continue to keep the Kissimmee team – and the moms and babies – in your prayers.

Abuja, Nigeria

Kelechi is the leader of the 40 Days for Life campaign in Abuja. She also works with an organization called Save the Unborn Babies Nigeria. She learned recently of a baby that was saved … the child of a woman who prints the organization’s letterhead.

“She found out she was pregnant,” Kelechi said, “and the words ‘Save the Unborn Babies’ kept staring in her face each time she did the printing.”

The mother had kept this great news to herself for some time.

“She just shared it few days ago … just at the time I was asking myself if these pro-life efforts are actually enlightening people and saving babies from being aborted,” Kelechi said. “She specifically told me to continue the work as the pro-life message is helping save babies, although not all will come back to testify. All glory be to God!”

Canton, Ohio

Volunteers at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Canton were able to talk to a woman who was on her way out of Planned Parenthood. “She said she was pregnant and wanted to keep the baby … but did not know where to go.”

Planned Parenthood was apparently willing to plan an abortion, but didn’t have much of an alternate plan when she said she wasn’t interested. They merely gave her a sheet of paper with information about a hospital and sent her on the way.

“So I gave here our resources material,” the volunteer said. They also talked about the local pregnancy help center and the services they offered. “I told her she could get an ultrasound.”

As the two continued to talk, the woman started smiling and seemed more confident. “Please pray for this young mother,” said the vigil participant.

Kitchener, Ontario

The 40 Days for Life team in Kitchener reports a turnout of more than 70 people for a candlelight vigil outside of Freeport Hospital – an event described as an evening of prayer and fellowship as a witness and a voice for the babies who cannot speak out for themselves.

Ewelina, the local leader in Kitchener, said students from St. Mary’s High School organized the event and provided candles … and a group of students and their chaplain attended.

“Even though we had at least one person shout at us while driving by,” she said, “we had more positive praise from drivers passing by and honking in support.”

Devotional for Day 19, October 12, 2014

Rev. Rob Schenck, President, Faith and Action

Intention: We pray for a renewal of our zeal to of- fer generous help to the unborn and their families.

Scripture: If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant when they complained against me, what then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him? Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb? —Job 31:13-15

Reflection: The ground is level as we stand before God. Job lived with an awe provoking sense of God’s expectation of him, particularly regarding his obligation to care for the weak and needy. He knew that in God’s economy everyone stands on level ground when it comes to our status as God’s creatures. Because of that central truth, we must take care of each other. Job also knew that he didn’t deserve any of the good things God gave to him. Instead, those blessings came to Job from God’s benevolent heart.

As an extension of that knowledge, Job instinctively linked his obligation to be generous to others to God’s kindness toward him. As in Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:23-35), Job knew that it is an egregious sin to deny to others what we enjoy ourselves. He actually calls down on his own head severe condemnation and even punishment should he fail to share with others out of his own abundance (see verses 16-23). Proverbs 3:27 reads, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.” Some things are so obvious that we don’t even need to pray except to ask of God forgiveness and the power to do what so obviously needs doing.

Prayer: God, forgive us when we try to explain away the obligation we have to help others who need help. Enable us to not devalue them because they are in the circumstance that they are in, but to see them for what they are, those, who like us, were formed by your hand in their mother’s womb. Amen.

Steve Karlen is our 40 Days for Life outreach coordinator for North America … and he’s on the road meeting – and praying with – volunteers at many 40 Days for Life vigils as the campaign continues.

Here’s Steve’s report on three recent stops in Oklahoma. The people certainly made an impression on him – and so did the weather. It was cooling off quite a bit in Steve’s native Wisconsin ... but not when he was in Oklahoma.

Norman, Oklahoma

The folks in Norman are working hard on their campaign. They pray directly in front of the abortion facility—where I’m told the abortionist is responsible for half the abortions in the state.

But it is difficult for some of the participants (some of the older folks in particular) to be in the hot sun. The weather during my visit was in the 90s—unseasonably warm even by Oklahoma standards!

Some of the vigil participants tried praying across the street on the sidewalks. Another local business manager called the police. But when the police came, they noted that the public sidewalk is ... public! Unable to use the law to stop a peaceful vigil, the business manager turned on the sprinklers.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

It was quite warm in Tulsa as well. As a Northerner who is used to bringing out my warmest, thickest wool socks for cold hours out at 40 Days for Life vigils, you can imagine my surprise to see that the Tulsa campaign needs a big tent to keep the hot sun off the volunteers.

Pro-lifers bought property across the street from the abortion center where they hoped to build a pregnancy center. But zoning rules made that impossible. Instead they built a “Garden of Hope,” where the volunteers can pray, and launched a mobile ultrasound initiative.

Timothy, the Tulsa leader, said the people behind this life-saving effort were 40 Days for Life volunteers who wanted to do more.

Right before I spoke, Timothy announced that a sidewalk counselor was able to successfully encourage a client of the abortion center to leave.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City hosts a 24-hour vigil. Debby, the leader, showed me a chapel next door to the abortion facility, which serves as the home base of the campaign.

The close proximity to the abortion center gives participants access to pray closer to the site than they otherwise would. They are able to counsel women and lead them to a nearby pregnancy center. A dry erase board on the front desk of the chapel had a message that reads “33 saves!”

A number of abortion-minded women have come to the chapel accidentally, providing further opportunity for counseling and witness.

Prayer volunteers also have an opportunity to offer a powerful witness on a busy public street. Debby said the community has warmed up to their presence. A school bus stop is right across the street, and the teens on that bus have responded favorably to the 40 Days for Life message.

Thanks again to Steve Karlen for today’s update! http://40daysforlife.com/2014/10/12/day-19-2/

Link above

Devotional for Day 20, October 13, 2014

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life

Intention: May God’s people understand that the Lazarus of the 21st Century is the un- born child, and respond accordingly.

Scripture: There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.” But Abraham replied, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

“And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.” —Luke 16:19-31

Reflection: The rich man did not go to hell because he was rich. He went to hell because he ignored the other man. He thought that because Lazarus had less that he was worth less. He failed to recognize that Lazarus was his brother. Lazarus was waiting at the door of the rich man for scraps of food; the Lazarus of our day, the unborn child, is waiting at the door of the womb for birth itself. God does not only prohibit aborting the unborn; he prohibits ignoring them.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the life that I possess, and for the birth that you granted me. I hear the cries of the Lazarus of our day; I see them sitting at the door. Grant that I may never ignore them, and that through this 40 Days campaign, I may stir many others to pay attention to them as well. Through Christ our Lord, amen.

DAY 20: 199 spared from abortion

October 13, 2014 We are at the halfway point! Have you participated in the 40 Days for Life campaign yet? If not ... there is plenty of time. And here's some motivation.

Halfway through these 40 days of prayer and fasting, we are aware of 199 babies whose mothers chose life at the very last moment!

Here are the stories of just a few of those babies.

Dallas, Texas

Volunteers in Dallas say they have “two jubilant reports” from the sidewalk outside the Planned Parenthood abortion mega-center where the 40 Days for Life vigil is going on.

In one instance, the vigil participants were able to talk to a woman who “just needed someone to help” ... and she quickly learned that the help she really needed was not available at Planned Parenthood. One of the volunteers says it brought tears to her eyes when the woman chose life for her child.

A second woman stopped her car near Planned Parenthood when she saw someone with a sign that said “Pregnant? Need help?” The sign also had a phone number … which the woman started to call.

She said she was thinking about abortion – she’d had one before, and now had two children in diapers. Her simple plea: “I need help!” Counselors put her in touch with a pregnancy center that would offer the assistance she – and her baby – would need.

Portland, Oregon

One of the newer volunteers in Portland was able to start a conversation with a young woman who was on her way into Planned Parenthood.

It was her boyfriend who was encouraging the abortion. “She felt she couldn't take care of another child,” said Therese, the local leader. “She has three children and said she didn't have enough resources. She was in a tough situation.”

The volunteers told her there were many types of help available, and that the older children would love their new baby brother or sister. “After some more encouragement, she was showing us pictures of her other children,” Therese said. “And smiling!”

She then left … knowing where she could find help and support following her decision to reject abortion.

Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore volunteers watched a woman leave the abortion center after having been there for four hours. Usually, that’s bad news. But in this case, the woman walked up to the people praying outside and said, “I will keep my baby.”

She was four months along in her pregnancy, she told the vigil participants, who said she seemed overjoyed with her decision.

“A miracle happened,” said Kim in Baltimore, “and all who witnessed it are forever changed. A life was saved through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ … and none can deny His merciful heart and His mighty hand in action.”

http://40daysforlife.com/2014/10/13/day-20-2/

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Devotional for Day 21, October 14, 2014

Carmen Pate, Alliance Ministries

Intention: Pray that we each will daily put on the full armor of God, so that we are strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

Scripture: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand. — Ephesians 6:12-13

Reflection: I am confounded to see how the battle over the issue of life is perceived more often in churches today as political rather than spiritual. Ironically, the enemy has used this twisted perception to silence many in the body of Christ. We must see the battle for what it is and we must daily “put on” the armor God has given us:

 Gird your waist with Truth (vs. 14) — Commit your emotions to believe truth and to speak truth, regardless of the repercussions.  Put on the breastplate of Righteousness (vs. 14) –It will protect our hearts – the innermost springs of our beings – from all unrighteousness so evident in this fallen world.

 Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. (vs. 15) — Preparation is vital if we are to be effective in God’s work.  Taking the shield of faith (vs.16) — The Accuser will instill doubt, fear, and guilt. Faith acts as an invisible shield that deflects such false accusations.  Taking the Helmet of salvation (vs.17) — A helmet protects the head, the brain and in turn our mind and thoughts. Satan hopes we will set aside divine revelation for human reasoning.  Taking the sword of the Spirit (vs.17) — The Word of God, the only offensive weapon in this armor, was used by the Lord Jesus against Satan. The living Word is powerful and effective.

Our armor is complete. We are ready to wage war, and the next verse tells us how, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit.” (vs.18)

Prayer: Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual battle of abortion may we be re- minded that the battle is truly Yours. Thank you for hearing our requests for direction and protection. Thank you for the victory that is ours because of Your Son Jesus, amen

Men can and do make a difference — just ask former abortion workers. In particular, they’ve noticed that no-shows and cancellations go way up when a it’s a man in a Roman collar who’s joined the vigil. The staff knows right away it’s going to be a bad day for business.

We are thankful for all the priests and ministers who have helped make more “bad days” possible!

Many members of the clergy have led by example by praying at 40 Days for Life vigil sites these past three weeks. It takes courage ... so thank them when you see them. It’s our prayer that they will be joined by many more during the second half of the campaign.

Falls Church, Virginia

“It’s been great on the front lines,” said Ruby, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Falls Church, “seeing new and familiar faces, young and old, mothers and fathers and their children. Even saw a young priest from St. Leo’s.”

Ruby also sent along a photo of signs that were posted in the abortion center’s window on the first day of the campaign.

The signs were from Faith Aloud – a pro-abortion group that is behind “40 Days of Prayer to Keep Abortion Safe and Legal.” They even proclaim that abortion can be a “good moral decision.” One young mom who just saw her ultrasound knows that simply isn’t true.

“Thanks to your prayers,” said Ruby, “a precious little one has been saved.” She talked to one of the counselors at the mobile ultrasound unit, who had just shown a young woman the image of her child. The mother decided not to have an abortion.

“This is usually the case when a mother sees the living image on the screen,” Ruby said. “It is no longer a clump of tissue, a product of conception or a pregnancy to be terminated … but a whole, distinct, human being deserving life.”

The young mom is single, scared and has financial challenges, but now knows that abortion is not the answer. She’s getting the help she needs – including assistance to find a job.

Spring Valley, New York

Spring Valley is in the middle of its 14th 40 Days for Life campaign. Eileen sent along a story that shows how the vigil affects not only the people we are praying for … but also the people doing the praying.

“Just wanted to tell you how moved I was today, while standing in the rain praying,” said one volunteer. “A beautiful man came up to me and gave me a container of hot coffee. I thanked him and said, ‘God bless you.’ He left and I was moved to tears. Then a van went by filled with young children and they all waved and smiled at me including the driver! I was so blessed.”

“We know the power of love transforms lives and that each life we touch is a sacred gift from God,” Eileen said. “All nationalities and all people have come together with one singular purpose: the protection of the precious gift in the womb that our God has created.”

http://40daysforlife.com/2014/10/14/day-21-2/

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Devotional for Day 22, October 15, 2014

Georgette Forney, Anglicans for Life

Intention: May those who hold life as trivial real- ize that we live because God wills it so.

Scripture: Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. — Job 12:9-10

Reflection: Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and tribulation. He had every- thing taken from him, including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule and judgment from his friends. Everyone gave him advice about his situation, questioning his spirituality and his God. Job’s circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why? Because “the hand of the Lord has made all life.” Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and purpose, regardless of the circumstances. In our present culture, we’ve lost that basic truth; every life is made and allowed to live by God’s sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging our dependence on God. From our creation, when we were knit together in our mother’s womb to our last breath, God’s word is clear that “in

His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” It’s time for us as individuals, and as a society, to recognize that we exist by God’s grace and turn back to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why? Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting desperately. Job’s response should be ours as well. Regardless of what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom and mercy will redeem it. How do I know? Job’s friends who doubted God’s sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he does, God restores all that Job had lost. In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.

Prayer: Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life. Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in response to all the blessings you be- stow freely. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Are you encouraged by these emails? One local campaign leader just wrote in saying, "One of the joys of 40 Days for Life is receiving the daily emails showing God's countless miracles almost daily. We are constantly inspired and uplifted by the wonderful reports.”

Please post your own feedback in the comment section of today’s blog posting ... and if you like the emails, encourage others to see what God is doing by asking them to go to our website to join our email list.

It is our joy to share those stories with you — especially the one about abortions being cancelled two Saturdays in a row in Florida!

Fort Pierce, Florida

For two consecutive Saturdays, there were no abortions at the facility where 40 Days for Life volunteers are praying in Fort Pierce. Normally, they would do between 5 and 10 abortions on a typical Saturday.

“I can't remember the last time this has happened two weeks in a row,” said Jim, one of the local leaders. “I don't think that it's a coincidence that it's happening during 40 Days for Life … and God promises that our prayers and fasting will not go unheard.”

Jim said he hopes to see prayer continue beyond Day 40 “so we can keep these positive results happening.”

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Rita, the 40 Days for Life leader in Norristown, reports three babies were saved outside the Planned Parenthood location there … on the day the business schedules RU-486 abortions.

One of the volunteers was able to counsel a 15-year-old girl who arrived with her mother. She was given information about the local pregnancy help center and other life-affirming options – and they decided to follow that path instead of choosing abortion.

The vigil participants watched as a young woman and her boyfriend walked into Planned Parenthood … and then came out. And then went in a second time … and came out. They entered the building a third time. But this time, they came back out and told the volunteers they were keeping their baby.

Later, another young woman drove up and asked for information about the pregnancy help center. She, too, had rejected abortion.

“Praise God!” said Rita.

Germantown, Maryland

Members of a church youth group came to pray outside the late-term abortion center in Germantown. The sight of the teens standing in prayer was encouraging enough to their leader. But then a woman arrived and gave them t-shirts – with a sonogram image of a child in the womb.

“She told the youth group they were angels for being on the sidewalk,” the leader said. It was another “angel,” she said, who caused her to think about what she was about to do … and led her to change her mind about going in for an abortion.

“She now has a lovely three-year-old child,” the youth group’s leader said. “It was a very powerful message for me and the group to hear."

“Not only did our presence on the sidewalk three years ago save a life,” said Andrew, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Germantown, “the mother is now involved in pro-life work and is being a voice for the unborn. It’s another powerful example of how God is using our presence on the sidewalk to save lives.”

http://40daysforlife.com/2014/10/15/day-22-2/

Live link in #3.

Devotional for Day 23, October 16, 2014

Dennis DiMauro, Lutherans for Life

Intention: We pray for the strength to love those who do not love us.

Scripture: But the Lord said “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not la- bored, nor made it grow, which came up in the night and perished in the night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand per- sons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left, and much livestock? Should I not be concerned about that great city?” —Jonah 4:10-11

Reflection: God doesn’t value people and things like we do. Jonah loved a shade tree more than an entire city of sinful people. We love our dogs more than a terrorist. We love our cars more than a beggar on the side of the road. And sometimes, we love our money more than a child growing in a desperate teenager’s womb. But God isn’t like us. Genesis 1 tells us that humans were the capstone of God's creation.

We were created on the sixth day after God had completed the land, the stars, the plants and the animals.

Therefore, His love for us is greater than His love for a plant, an animal, or any other created thing.

And the book of Jonah tells us that He loves even the most sinful people and seeks to bring them into His merciful arms. And it’s a love that seeks to touch all of his created children: that desperate teenager, the baby growing in her womb, even tyrants and terrorists.

So it’s up to us to imitate God's merciful love by helping and praying for those who persecute us, and those who don’t love us back.

Prayer: Gracious God, loving our enemies seems like one of most difficult things you could ask of us.

Please remind us that this is how you love and that if you ask it of us then you will give us the grace to do it. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen

40 Days for Life is a grassroots effort. Even as the campaign continues to grow, our headquarters team tries to visit as many 40 Days for Life locations as possible. It’s important for us to meet with you, and your fellow volunteers, at your prayerful vigil.

With 297 cities in 11 countries conducting 40 Days for Life campaigns right now, it’s not humanly possible to get to every location ... but one man seems to be making a run for it: Robert Colquhoun. Robert is our London-based international outreach director ... and he is on a 40 Days for Life world tour — literally!

As the man who brought the first 40 Days for Life vigil to Great Britain a few years back, Robert knows what it takes to lead a campaign and overcome difficult challenges and persecution. He also knows what it’s like to meet a baby who was about to be aborted.

During this campaign, Robert will be visiting Africa, Australia, South America and Europe ... so look for more updates from him over these next few weeks.

Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa

Watch Robert’s inspiring five-minute video report ... straight from the 40 Days for Life front lines in Africa:

Click the image above or go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/2014/10/16/40-days-life-africa/

There are currently six campaigns underway in Africa, and Robert was able to meet with 40 Days for Life leaders there and visit several of the locations.

The culture differs greatly from North America or Europe, and the legal landscape varies in each country as well. But in each location, the need for life-affirming outreach is clear ... and, as you'll see in the video, lives are being saved!

Riga, Latvia

The first 40 Days for Life effort in Latvia’s capital city is getting attention from the people – and the media. “One of the biggest newspapers published a story about our activities,” said Janis, the leader in Riga, “and more mass media interest was created by that newspaper article.”

One TV station interviewed Janis and Fr. Aivars Licis, a priest who’s been helping with the campaign. That’s Janis who is partially hidden by the cameraman in the photo. “It gave us an opportunity to explain our position on abortion,” he said.

Volunteers conducted a prayer walk from St. Albert Church, which is close to the hospital. They walked around the hospital fence and returned to the church for prayer in the Garden of Souls. “That’s a small monument in our church garden dedicated to aborted and miscarried children,” Janis explained

He said the 40 Days for Life devotionals, which have been translated into Latvian, are especially popular. There’s a group that prays with the devotionals in church each morning. “Another friend told me he was downloading the devotionals and praying at home."

http://40daysforlife.com/2014/10/16/day-23-2/

Live link is in #3.

Devotional for Day 24, October 17, 2014

Carmen Pate, Alliance Ministries

Intention: Pray that God will continue to bless the efforts that have gone into the 40 Days for Life campaign, as we trust Him for the results.

Scripture: Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name. —Nehemiah 1:10-11

Reflection: Nehemiah provides an awesome blue-print for volunteers in God’s service, particularly those responding to the devastation abortion has caused our nation. Nehemiah grieved for God’s reputation as he witnessed the condition of the city walls of Jerusalem. The walls were broken down which was seen by neighboring people as a sign of weakness on the part of Jerusalem’s God. No wall meant no security for the city and its people. We learn from his story that he covered every detail in prayer; inspired others to join the cause; organized others to help do the work; confronted opposition directly and turned to God

when discouraged; and finally celebrated what was accomplished and gave God all the glory! Like Nehemiah, we must acknowledge God’s sovereignty as we serve Him before a mocking world. We too need to be reminded that we are “fighting” for our families. We too must have an attitude of confession and repentance before a Holy God. We must pray for strength, refute slander, and not be diverted from our work. Like Nehemiah, we will draw attention from the enemy when we are seeking to protect the well-being of God’s people. We too must stand firm and seek God’s help to persevere until the task is done. We too will be victorious.

Prayer: Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is Yours. We pray for your continued guidance and protection throughout the remainder of this 40 day campaign. May we be steadfast, unmovable, al- ways abounding in Your work, knowing that our labor will not be in vain. We pray in the name of Jesus, amen.

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