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Yesterday’s email:

Only five days to go!

I’m on the road today ... visiting the 40 Days for Life
teams in San Diego before going to Houston on Saturday.

There’s a big gathering tonight at 6:30 in San Diego,
and I’m hoping to meet lots of California volunteers!

If you need event details, please go to:

It’s Wednesday — which means a church night for many
people. Here are stories about folks who have brought
their churches to the streets on Wednesday nights with
events at their 40 Days for Life vigils.

FORT WAYNE, INDIANA

Every Wednesday night during this 40 Days for Life
campaign, there has been a prayer service at the
abortion center where the vigil is taking place.

Thursday is abortion day in Fort Wayne. The abortionist
comes in from out of town each week, arriving on
Wednesday night.

“We have had several denominations of the clergy lead
the prayer services, as well as wonderful musicians who
lead the group in song and worship to consecrate the
grounds in God’s name directly across from the abortion
clinic,” said Evelyn in Fort Wayne.

“On Thursdays,” she said, “we have the largest
gatherings at the vigil site to let the women and the
workers there know we care and we are there for them.”

Student groups continue to participate in the vigil
as well — three different schools took part on day
recently. “The first group of high school students
came as they do every week before they go to school —
so they are there before the sun even rises,”
Evelyn said.

To see photos from the Fort Wayne 40 Days for Life
vigils, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1380

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA

Wednesday is also the day a Sunday school group from
Broadmoor Baptist Church goes to pray at the 40 Days
for Life vigil in Shreveport.

To see a photo of the Shreveport vigil, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1380

In all, more than 300 people have signed up to pray at
this, the first 40 Days for Life campaign in the
Shreveport-Bossier City area. “One volunteer told me
she went for her prayer hour and ended up staying for
four! She said that she just couldn’t leave,” said
Emily in Shreveport.

“Our campaign is raising awareness in the community
about the location of the abortion facility,” she
explained. “Many people, even some who are pro-life,
did not know that the Hope facility on Kings Highway
was an abortion clinic.”

With 300 to 400 abortions performed at the facility
each month, Emily said, “our public prayers are so
important.”

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

“Our vigil was blessed with the presence of more than
50 young students from St. Rita’s Church who came to
pray for the unborn and a greater respect for life,”
said Jacinta in Alexandria.

“We also had a successful outreach effort, with 13
people teaming up on Saturday and Sunday to knock on
an estimated 350 doors and spread pro-life information
in the area near the abortion centers and Old Town
Alexandria,” she said.

One volunteer explained how she got involved. “I just
signed up after learning that the clinics are only a
short distance from where I work,” she said. “I was
totally shocked that they are so close, so I felt
compelled to witness and pray there.”

She then spread the word to her co-workers and
brought six of them to pray at the vigil during
their lunch hour.

To see a photo from the Alexandria vigil, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1380

“I have met people who have reinforced my faith and
have been a blessing to be with,” said another
volunteer. “There is a great unity among those
committed to 40 Days for Life. May God bless you and
those working so hard for the unborn.”

Day 37 - October 28

Intention:

Pray that we will each submit ourselves this day as a living sacrifice to God, giving all that we have in us for those being sacrificed on the altar of convenience.

Scripture:

-- Romans 12:1

Reflection:

Since all things are for His glory, we are to offer ourselves for that purpose. This of course is in sharp contrast to those who are being swayed by the enemy to sacrifice their babies on the altar of convenience, rather than choosing to surrender their all, including their unborn child, to the Lord for His purposes.

A career, education goals, or even a boyfriend can unknowingly become an idol for some young women. In their minds, abortion is a convenient way to "rid themselves" of an obstacle in the way of their "worship."

In light of the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf, and the fruit of God's mercies on our lives, we owe God our highest form of praise and worship. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is therefore reasonable service.

We were made to worship God and God alone. The enemy who seeks worship for himself distorts God's truth regarding worship, sacrifice, idols, and children.

As you have given of yourself to rescue those who are perishing -- the young woman and her child -- you are worshiping God in the truest sense of the word.

May your example lead an abortion minded client to turn from her idols to worship the one true God, sparing her child from the altar of convenience, and sparing herself from a lifetime of regret.

Prayer:

God Almighty, You alone are worthy of our praise and worship. Having accepted Your Son's sacrifice on my behalf, I in turn present my body to you as a living sacrifice. Thank you for deeming me holy and acceptable because of Christ's shed blood for me. I pray that you would use me as your vessel to rescue others who are perishing. Through Christ who is Our Glory, Amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show