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DAY 28 INTENTION
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Pray that those standing in peaceful vigil will extend mercy and grace to others as they remember that Christ did not treat us as our sins deserve.

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SCRIPTURE
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"You have heard it was said, 'you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you."

-- Matthew 5:43-44

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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, Point of View
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Perhaps it is obvious by now that not everyone thinks this campaign is a great idea! In fact, those on the front lines standing in peaceful vigil are perhaps being cursed and hated for what God has called you to do.

Because we are all fallen creatures, our natural response may not be as Christ-like as we would hope it would be.

So, how do we keep our natural response in check, while allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who hate us or would do us harm?

Consider first the Holiness of God.

It seems that sin has clouded our ability to think clearly about God's nature. We simply don't have a clue of how outraged God is by our sin, what an insult sin is to His person, or how sin fires the flames of His wrath.

Praise God that He didn't leave us in our depravity destined for His divine wrath!

Ephesians 2:4-5 says, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin, made us alive together with Christ; by grace you have been saved."

Because of God's mercy and grace towards us, we who receive Him receive eternal Hope. Those who curse you, hate you, spitefully mistreat you and persecute you need that same Hope.

That is the only way we can ever expect them to behave differently.

Ask the Holy Spirit to love them -- through you -- so they are drawn to the Hope that is in you, that is Christ Jesus.

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PRAYER
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Heavenly Father, may we reflect your character of grace and kindness to those who hate us and curse us.

Guard our hearts and our tongues as we respond in love to words and actions meant to rile us or cause us harm.

Let others see the Hope that is Christ in all we say and do. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

In SD the opposition is pretty tame. During nice weather you get an occasional carload of teens or those in their early 20's who drive past and yell obscenities, but it wasn't much more than that, whenever I have been out there. I am thankful for this devotional, as God reminded me of this very thing when there were several one day who had driven past and yelled at me. The SD PP is located across the street from a local high school. There were many days where a friend and I walked around the school and prayed for the students and against the seeds that PP was sowing there, before praying at PP. On my year vigil, God sent a few of those students to talk to me. Those driving by or walking by, need our prayers as much as those who are entering the driveway of PP. The prayers we offer up for those passing may save lives as well as those offered up for those entering PP. I have to keep reminding myself this is essentially a spiritual battle, and God cares for the souls of all those who pass by or enter. Battle is really against Satan and his minions, not against the person who is confused and entering PP for what they believe is the answer to what they view as their problem.

I am also concerned for the lives of those who are holding vigil. Please stand with me in pray to cover them and their safety. Whenever we make in-roads into territory that Satan has a firm hold of, he will retaliate....with inflicting sickness, financial issues, accidents, struggles with our family members, anything that will deter us from the calling to fight the battle against him and PP. In the economic and political unrest that we are currently in, I pray even moreso for the protection and safety of all who are at vigil.

Father God, protect our hearts and minds as we are at vigil, whether it is a presence in front of PP, at work, or at home. Give us Your eyes, to see we are there to pray for those who are entering the facilities as well as all who pass by. Help us to see with Your heart, that this is souls at stake not just another nameless face or carload of misguided youth. Father God, I pray that Your hand of protection be on all of Your children who have taken up the call to be in prayer for LIFE. Keep Your guardian and warring angels round about them, to protect them from the onslaughts of the enemy, in whatever form or shape they may be coming. Protect their families, jobs, finances, property and possessions, in Jesus Name. Help us to always keep our focus on You, and Your mission for us in this life. In this new prayer closet You have called us to, be ever near, ever watchful, ever present. Help us all to feel that presence in a way it has never been known before.

For those who are struggling with the fasting, Lord, strengthen them. Bless them with energy, an increased fervor and hope. Bless them with a renewed relationship and closeness to You.

Father God we thank and praise Your Holy Name for the hearts You are touching be a part of this 40-Days for Life. May that call stay on their hearts, minds and lives when the 40 days is complete, and bring them to a position of constant warrior for You rather than someone in reserve.

Father God, bring a revival in this movement and in this country, in the Mighty Name of Jesus! Let us be a part of it. We ask this all in Jesus Precious and Mighty Name, Decree it in Jesus Blood, Amen!!