Pray that people of faith will have their strength renewed even in the face of the violence of abortion.
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SCRIPTURE
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The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent. They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait in silence for the saving help of the Lord.
-- Lamentations 3:22-26
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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
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The Book of Lamentations, a short book of only five chapters, contains some of the most poignant expressions of human grief.
These verses are used in many Churches on Good Friday, since they can be seen to express a prophecy of the suffering of the Lord and the lamentation of his followers on that dark day.
But in the midst of his grief, Jeremiah writes the verses quoted above. "The favors of the Lord are not exhausted."It is a call to hope that no matter how much violence there is, life will prevail in the end.
Why does he say, however, that God's mercies are renewed each morning?
Because early in the morning, on the first day of the week, the women came to the tomb -- and they found that the events of that morning changed everything.
Christ's victory over death came in the morning, and therefore each day we can renew our confidence that life has the final victory.
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PRAYER
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Lord, look kindly on your people who weep and mourn amidst the vast devastation that abortion has brought upon our land. We cannot even count the children killed, and the mothers and fathers wounded.
We cannot measure the devastation and corruption abortion has brought upon the very fabric of our society. But we declare today that your favors have not been exhausted, your mercies have not been spent. They are renewed each morning.
Give us new strength today in the resurrection of Christ your Son, that we may bear effective witness to the victory of life! In His name we pray, Amen.
Pray to God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, to end abortion in America.
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SCRIPTURE
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Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
-- Ephesians 3:20-21
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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, Point of View
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God's power working in and through His people is unlimited and far beyond our comprehension when we submit to God's Word and Spirit. He receives glory when we are obedient to His calling and faithfully serve Him in His strength.
Consider God's hand of providence on this nation because of the faithfulness of a few who were totally committed to God and His truths.
It is interesting to note the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta: "Yours is the one great nation in all history which was founded on the precept of equal rights and respect for all humankind, for the poorest and weakest of us as well as the richest and strongest."
Mother Teresa, in addressing the Supreme Court of the United States said, "Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. I have no new teaching for America. I seek only to recall you to faithfulness to what you once taught the world.
She continued, "Your nation was founded on the proposition very old as a moral precept, but startling and innovative as a political insight that human life is a gift of immeasurable worth, and that it deserves, always and everywhere, to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect."
It is time to restore that dignity and respect. Our God is able. Are we willing to remain faithful until His work through us is done?
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PRAYER
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God Almighty, Who is powerful and willing to supply, our hearts cry in unison for You to restore dignity and respect to human life, not only in America, but around the world.
Lord, may our hearts remain faithful to your calling, and may You begin Your transforming work with me.
Keep me ever mindful that with You Lord, nothing is impossible; without You, I can do nothing. To You be glory forever and ever, Amen.