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Today’s email:

God works in big ways and in small ways. The big ways
are often easy to recognize. The small ways? Not so much.

40 Days for Life is the story of God’s many victories,
both large and small. Here are some of the small ones.
But they sure add up!

ZION, ILLINOIS

Zion is one of several communities participating in
40 Days for Life that do not have an abortion facility.
But people there have been called to pray, and their
prayers are getting reactions.

Prayer volunteers watched as a man — who was driving
way too fast — came around the corner and shouted from
his open window, “There is no God!”

Vigil participants took this as a realization that God
is indeed at work in Zion. “We immediately prayed for
that man,” said Joellyn, the local coordinator. “We
don’t know who he is or where he was going, but GOD
knows that this man needs HIM!”

While there is no abortion facility in Zion, there is a
pro-life pregnancy resource center. And counselors there
report that they know of at least one child saved from
abortion during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

“Our vigil is in front of the Planned Parenthood
facility,” said Nancy in Orlando. “Normally, abortions
occur here on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The clinic
changed last week’s schedule from Saturday to Friday —
it was unannounced, but we got the word. Imagine their
surprise when we had great prayer coverage on Friday.”

The following day, Saturday, the facility was closed.
There was no explanation on their door, although it
was posted on their web site.

“Because many people did not know they would be closed,”
said Nancy, “our prayer warriors were able to witness
to those coming to the clinic. To top it all off, some
of our 40 Days for Life participants went to a different
abortion clinic and were able to save a baby.”

An abortion-minded woman was able to see an ultrasound
picture of her baby on her own television in the
comfort of her home. “She chose life,” said Nancy.
“Glory to God! He is so good, isn’t He?”

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

Picture all of this ... going on at the 40 Days for Life
vigil sites in Rhode Island:

* A father drops off his daughter at a “women’s
clinic” and has no idea that she intends to have
an abortion until he sees the pro-life prayer vigil.
* A woman is convinced that being a “good sister”
includes supporting an abortion she doesn’t
believe in.
* A young, desperate, pregnant mom believes she
has no option in her situation but abortion.
* Two sidewalk counselors are faced with two cars,
a language barrier, and three people to counsel
at once.

“An impossible situation?” asks Joanne in Rhode Island.
“Nothing is impossible with the Lord. God answered our
prayerful efforts by saving the life of a child, and
soon after He saved two others!”

The Rhode Island team reports eight lives have been
spared from abortion during this campaign at their
vigil locations in Providence and Cranston. “That’s
the most for any campaign yet,” said Joanne. “Help us
to be a sign of God’s love to those most in need.
You’ll be glad you did.”

Day 31 - October 22

Intention:

For the medical community, that the truth they know about the human body may become awe and wonder at the God who made it.

Scripture:

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 139:16

Reflection:

Human beings -- God's tapestries.

Psalm 139 is a psalm that reveals the enormity and otherness of God. His divine attributes are on display: omniscience (2-4), omnipresence (7-12), loving-kindness (17-18), justice (19-20), righteousness (23-24), and omnipotence. Yet, when it came to express this last attribute, what example did the psalmist use - God's creation of mountains, seas, or far-flung galaxies? No, he used none of these. To express the wonder of God's unparalleled creative power the writer mentions the fashioning of the human in the womb (14-16).

The Hebrew word used to express God's forming of us in the womb, raqam, is the same term for needlework or embroidery. In other words, we are a tapestry that displays God's artistic mastery. And, like the artist who knows his creation down to the last detail, God intimately knows us. This reality provokes the writer to awe and wonder. He proclaims, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

What is true for this psalmist is true for each human being. Each is fashioned by God and known by him and we can proclaim on behalf of each, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Prayer:

Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation. Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions. Amen.

Rev. J. Kirk van der Swaagh
Pastor, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference