40 Days for Life, February 17 -- March 29, 2010, Come and Pray to Stop Abortion in the World

40DaysforLife.com ^ | 02-16-10 | 40 Days for Life.com

[Salvation]

 

40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that draws attention to the evil of abortion through the use of a three-point program: Prayer and fasting Constant vigil Community outreach

40 Days for Life takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, for their own friends and families. It puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in the carrying out of His plan for the end of abortion in America.

The 40-day campaign tracks Biblical history, where God used 40-day periods to transform individuals, communities ... and the entire world. From Noah in the flood to Moses on the mountain to the disciples after Christ's resurrection, it is clear that God sees the transformative value of His people accepting and meeting a 40-day challenge.

 

Vision and mission

40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to access God’s power through prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion in America.

The mission of the campaign is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40 day campaign of prayer, fasting, and peaceful activism, with the purpose of repentance, to seek God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion in America.

 

Prayer and fasting:

Christ told us some demons can only be driven out by prayer and fasting. The two go hand in hand. Prayer keeps us rooted in the fact that it is our desire to carry out God's will. Fasting is a sacrifice that helps us reach beyond our own limitations with God's help.

Fasting is not a Christian diet; it is a form of physical prayer. You can fast from food, TV, alcohol ... anything that separates you from God.

 

Constant vigil:

The most visible component of 40 Days for Life is a constant prayer vigil outside a place where children are aborted. It is the hope that the vigil can be maintained 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It is a prayerful witness to the clinic's patients and employees, and to the entire community, that evil is in our midst and that with God's help, it will be defeated.

 

Community outreach:

During 40 Days for Life, the pro-life message is proactively taken to the community through focused, grassroots educational efforts. People are given the opportunity to visibly show their support for 40 Days for Life.

A door-to-door petition and education drive reaches out. Informational flyers can raise awareness about abortion. Church involvement, media contact and campus outreach also contribute.

[Salvation]

Three ways to get involved -- which will you choose?

[Salvation]

Find a location near you.

[kingattax]

[Salvation]

 

To help maintain focus on the Lord and stay in tune with His guidance, we have prepared a series of daily devotionals — one for each campaign day. The 40 Days for Life campaign is firmly rooted on a foundation of prayer and fasting.

We fervently believe that prayer and fasting will end abortion, and your prayers are very much needed and appreciated. Please follow the links below to read and meditate upon these brief reflections.

Daily Devotionals

[Salvation]

Catholic Prayer Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Catholic Prayer Ping List.

[TWfromTEXAS]

I will join the Houston group and bump your thread.

May God Bless this effort.

[NYer]

Will assist this effort through daily prayer.

[OpusatFR]

Virginia Beach kickoff here.

Wasn’t able to do this morning since I had another comittment, but I just heard it was pretty good despite the chill.

[Faith]

Holy God,

Throughout the Bible we learn of many awesome events that took place over the course of 40 days. Knowing that You are our God Who never changes, we commit the coming 40 days to You, asking that You stir our hearts to remember the lives of the unborn—especially those for whom death is planned before life outside the womb is achieved. May the prayers of all Your people bear bountiful fruit as we join with others across this nation to pray to You, our Creator. Stir our spirits with Your passion and unwavering faith as we petition You in this matter of life and death. Make us instruments of Your love and blessing.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

[Salvation]

Kickoff Meditation -- February 16, 2010

Day of Preparation - February 16

 

Intention:

Pray that our nation repents from the sin of abortion and turns back to God.

Scripture:

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.

- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Reflection:

Not unlike God's chosen people of Israel, we must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, if we expect God to hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. The need for repentance has not been greater since the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade in 1973. The number one cause of death in America is the needless sacrifice of our children at the altar of convenience called abortion. Conservative estimates put the number of deaths at nearly 48 million.

And lest we think this is an issue outside the church walls, 43 percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27 percent identify themselves as Catholic. One in four women has at least one abortion by the age of 45 -- both non-Christian and Christian alike. Where was the voice of Truth -- the church?

Mary Comm of In Our Midst Ministries, Inc. sums up the issue best as she writes, "We (the church) have been an unintentional accomplice to the millions of lives lost and to the multiplied millions of lives devastated by abortion. We didn't want them to abort. We didn't mean for them to abort. But, because of our lack of knowledge, because of our fear, we have continued to stand by and do nothing. We, God's hands and feet in this dark and hurting world, have been unintentional, unknowledgeable accomplice, but an accomplice nonetheless."

May today mark the beginning of change within the church, as God's people, in unity, seek His forgiveness.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we have turned our backs on you and your principles in your Word. We have allowed man to usurp Your role as God over life and the number of our days. But we come to you in brokenness and repentance over our sin. We cry out for Your mercy and ask you to remove the scourge of abortion from our land. Use us as your vessels, Lord, to bring the light of Your Truth to our nation once again. Because of Christ we pray, amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" talk showhttp://www.40daysforlife.com/getinvolved.cfm?selected=spring2010day00

[Salvation]

Daily Meditation -- February 17, 2010

Day 1 - February 17

 

Intention:

That we may use these 40 Days for Life to plead for God's mercy and grace upon all those involved in the sin of abortion.

Scripture:

Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly. Gather the people, notify the congregation. Assemble the elders; gather the children and the infants at the breast… Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare, O Lord, your people."

-- Joel 2:15-17

Reflection:

The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but that's only one aspect of the harm that has unfolded in abortion's wake. There are also the mothers and fathers of these millions, as well as the grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living shattered.

It's overwhelming and depressing, but even in the midst of such unfathomable darkness, the church teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary that followed Christ's 40 days in the desert, but without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection - His victory over death that opened the gates of heaven to those who believe in and follow Him.

The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as we seek His will: "A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me… Give me back the joy of your salvation and a willing spirit sustain in me… O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise" (Psalm 51:12, 14, 17).

We are called to be God's messengers; or as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). That is the true message to all we encounter at the abortion centers and in our communities who have been deceived by the Culture of Death. We don't bring condemnation; we bring God's good news.

Prayer:

Lord, we ask for the strength, courage, wisdom, determination and stamina to carry out this mission according to Your will. Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and proclaim Your truth, always doing so with a spirit of love and compassion, as was demonstrated to us by Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, amen.

David Brandao
Communications Director, 40 Days for Life

[Salvation]

From Catholic Exchange -- 40 Days for [Life] Begins Today — Now it is YOUR Turn

40 Days for [Life] Begins Today — Now it is YOUR Turn

February 17th, 2010 by 40 Days for Life

Dear Friends for Life:

The National Prayer Vigil to end abortion is about to begin again!

Yes, tomorrow, February 17, the 40 Days for Life campaign will kick off in 165 cities across the United States, Canada, Australia and Northern Ireland.

165 cities — that’s the most ever for a spring 40 Days for Life campaign!

With almost three feet of snow at some of the locations, we are more appreciative than ever before of all the sacrifices required to pray outside abortion centers at this time of year in much of North America.

It’s a challenge, and it’s a sacrifice — but we know that when two or more are gathered together in Christ’s name, He is there — and He hears our prayer.

It’s worth it!

By the grace of God, 40 Days for Life has already helped to save at least 2,168 children from death by abortion, led 28 clinic workers to walk away from the abortion industry, and contributed to the closure of five abortion centers.

And now YOU have a chance to help shape history as part of this 40 Days for Life campaign!

Just this past fall, many gathered in His name at abortion facilities in 212 communities. We’ve compiled pictures from many of their 40-day vigils into a short, 7-minute video that will give you an amazing look at the heart of 40 Days for Life — people gathered peacefully, united in a common purpose, praying for an end to abortion.

It’s powerful evidence that each of us can take our simple prayers and join something that is much, much larger than any of our individual efforts …

… and a powerful invitation for YOU to get involved …

… to get involved AGAIN if you’ve participated in the
past …

… to get involved FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME if you’ve
never done anything like this before!

Please click here to see the video: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=574

During five previous 40 Days for Life campaigns, more than 300,000 faithful people in 282 cities participated in 40 days of:

* Prayer and fasting for an end to abortion

* Peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities

* Grassroots community outreach and education

The list of the 165 participating cities across the United States, Canadian, Australia, and Northern  Ireland has just been posted online at: http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

The 40 Days for Life campaign runs from February 17 to March 28  — and you can help save lives by getting
involved today!

Here’s what to do:

1.) Go to the list of 40 Days for Life locations: http://www.40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

2.) Using the map, or the list of locations, click on the site that is closest to where you live.

3.) You will be redirected to the web page for that local 40 Days for Life campaign.

4.) On that local web page, SIGN UP with your name and e-mail address to get involved and help save lives!

That’s it!

You will then receive information on the plans for your nearby 40 Days for Life, and how you can help make an impact.

Then, help spread the word to everyone you know about 40 Days for Life! The easiest way is to forward this article to your friends, family members, co-workers, and fellow believers.

Looking forward to GREAT things this campaign!

Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

[Editors note: This article was adapted from a letter by the National Director, and edited by Mark Ginella, a pro-life advocate working on the San Marcos 40 Days for Life campaign.  He encourages each of you to contact your church or community group, and have them agree to sign up for a full day, where all parishioners come out with their families and join in this beautiful event, which shows Jesus that we still care for the least of our brothers, and that we will pray and work for a time when the dignity of life will be respected by all -- from the moment of conception, until natural death.]

This article is courtesy of the 40 Days for Life campaign.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

I’ll be at the Charleston, SC location this coming Sunday.

[Salvation]

 

Please be one

of the many who

oppose abortion!

 

 

 

 

Day 2 - February 18

 

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:

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."

Kevin Burke
Executive Director, Rachels Vineyard Ministries

[Salvation]

Day 3 - February 19

 

Intention:

May God's people understand that the Lazarus of the 21st Century is the unborn 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.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

[Salvation]

Day 4 - February 20

 

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 if we are to be prepared to face the spiritual enemy on the issue of abortion, 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 reminded that the battle is truly Yours. We thank you for equipping us with Your armor. Lead us daily to put it on! Thank you for allowing us to serve under your command, and for hearing our requests for direction and protection. Thank you for the victory that is ours because of Your Son Jesus, amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" talk show

[Salvation]

Yesterday’s email:

Early Wednesday morning — the first day of this
campaign — 40 Days for Life vigil participants were
praying for a young woman who arrived for an abortion
appointment in Cleveland. On her way towards the
building, she stopped and talked to one of the
counselors on the sidewalk.

The vigil participants feared the conversation had
not made an impact. Still, they kept praying.

A short time later, the young woman left the facility
in tears. She could not go through with the abortion,
thanks to the conversation with the counselor —
and the prayers.

Michael in Cleveland says a second life was saved
around lunchtime on Wednesday. 40 Days for Life
participants were praying as a woman left the
abortion center ... smiling. The man with her —
the baby’s father — was also smiling.

She walked over to the people praying and said,
“Don’t worry. I didn’t do it!”

The young couple drove away, happy ... and still
smiling. Said Michael, “Our God is awesome!”

On Day 1 in Huntsville, Alabama, vigil participants
were praying for two young women. One had arrived
for an abortion. The other was doing her best to
try to talk her friend out of aborting her baby.

The two went inside together while the people on
the sidewalk continued to pray ...

... and pray ...

... and pray!

They were inside for two hours, which could have been
seen as a discouraging sign. But finally, the friend
came out. “Did you see how long I was in there?” she
asked ... and then she announced the good news.

“I talked her out of it!” she said.

“Thanks for everything!”

“Everything,” of course, included two hours of praying
intently that God would touch this young woman’s
heart — and inspire the friend who desperately wanted
to see the baby live.

Prayer indeed works!

People praying at the Planned Parenthood abortion
center in Providence, Rhode Island learned that as
well. A woman drove up, eager to talk.

“You were out here praying two years ago when I went
in to have an abortion,” she said. “I just want you to
know that I came out of the clinic that day. I decided
to have my baby. I love her and I wanted to thank you.”

Thank YOU ... and thank our amazing Heavenly Father,
who hears each word of prayer.

Please keep praying!

[Salvation]

And from today’s email — talking about the deception that Planned Parenthood is about:

A woman arrived for an appointment this week at the
Austin, Texas abortion center where a 40 Days for Life
vigil is being conducted. One of the pro-life sidewalk
counselors told her that if she was at this facility
for routine healthcare, there were other places she
could go — places that did not do abortions.

The young woman was stunned. “I had no idea my OB/GYN
did abortions,” she said. “I definitely do not want to
come back!”

[wagglebee]

Pinged from Terri Dailies

[Salvation]

Want to get your Monday off to a great start?

Then here’s a praise report guaranteed to launch your
week in marvelous fashion!

Thus far during this 40 Days for life campaign ...

... 45 lives have already been saved from abortion!!!

Here are just a few of those miraculous stories:

* Louisville, Kentucky:

On the first day of the 40 Days for Life campaign,
three mothers changed their minds!

Tammy in Louisville said the abortion center staffers
“were so mad they came out and started yelling at us.
We give all the glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.”

One woman had been given a coupon for a free
ultrasound at the pro-life pregnancy center across the
street. She went inside the abortion facility — but
only stayed five minutes before leaving and going to
the pro-life center, where she used that coupon.

“She saw the 4-D ultrasound and changed her mind,”
Tammy said. “What a blessing!”

* Reno, Nevada:

A young woman had scheduled an abortion appointment,
fully intending to go through with it. Carol Marie
said, “when she heard there were other options
available, she took the time to investigate for
herself and realized we were correct.”

The woman left the facility and returned later —
not for an abortion, but for a refund.

The staff saw her hugging prayer volunteers as she
was approaching the door, so they refused to let
her in. They made her wait in her car while they
processed her refund.

“Praise God that we had the opportunity to be there,”
said Carol Marie.

* Melbourne, Australia:

“We had a turnaround in Melbourne this morning while
we were praying,” said David.

He spoke to a couple who had arrived for an abortion
appointment, asking the young woman to think about
what abortion will do to her. “Already she has
another little boy. She said both were unplanned.”

They took a pamphlet with phone numbers of various
support agencies. “Let’s continue praying that this
young couple have the courage to continue with this
pregnancy,” David said.

* The Bronx, New York:

“We had our first confirmed turnaround of the Lenten
40 Days for Life,” said Brian.

Click here to see a photo of the 40 Days for Life
vigil in The Bronx:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=604

“The ability to actually see these first results of
the effort to save babies is an amazing experience.
The real impact, however, is impossible to know. It
is a bit overwhelming to think that just one little
word or one action, like handing out a flier with
information on abortion can have an impact that not
only touches the lives of that mother and child, but
makes a change that reverberates down the generations.”

Brian added that not only is this work life-changing,
but it truly changes all of humanity — “all because
of a little bundle of joy that is spared on a cold
February morning in the Bronx.”

Amen! Have a great week!