Replies

Shawn Carney’s email for today:

As I’ve traveled to 40 Days for Life vigils this year,
I’ve seen more and more priests, pastors and clergy
than ever before!

It is VERY encouraging to see our clergy leading by
example — especially when it can be unpopular.

I want to thank all the pastors who’ve taken the time
to encourage their congregations to pray for an end to
abortion — and even gone out to the abortion centers
themselves.

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

The Knights of Columbus in Alabama sent along a photo
of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Huntsville.

The picture shows Bishop David Foley leading the prayers
— in the pouring rain — as he and other participants
huddled under their umbrellas. Bishop Foley said he’d
be back to pray again ... and the Knights are praying
for better weather next time.

“Let’s keep the momentum going,” said Jim, on behalf of
the Knights of Columbus in Alabama, “and continue to
support our clergy as they lead us in peaceful prayer
to save the lives of the most innocent among us — the
babes in their mothers’ wombs — and help save the
mother from the trauma of abortion!”

To see the photo of the Huntsville 40 Days for Life
vigil, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1947

NORTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

The 40 Days for Life team in North Seattle had some
company recently — a couple of young men with a sign
that said “Honk 4 Freedom.” One of the guys was wearing
an American flag as a cape.

Patriots? Well, not exactly.

“These men are apparently trying to wrap their message
about the ‘freedom’ to choose abortion in the good
freedoms of America,” said Della, the 40 Days for Life
coordinator. “Many who honked probably did so out of
love of country, not even knowing the men were seeking
support for abortion.”

Periodically, after a loud series of honks, they would
yell, “Haven’t you heard enough? Go home, losers!”

“It seems they think our pro-life beliefs are based on
what everyone else thinks,” Della said. “They call us
losers because they think we lost the popularity contest.”

Still, she said, the prayer team’s efforts are noticed
and appreciated. A man arrived at the vigil with a jug
of hot coffee and a dozen pastries. “He said he’d been
seeing us there day after day,” Della said. “He said he
could not do what we do, but he was thankful we are
there and wanted to encourage us.”

To see some photos of the North Seattle vigil, please
go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1947

“Our vigil in North Seattle brings Bible-believing
people of many faiths and religious practices together
to pray at one sad site where abortions occur,” said
Della. “We are individuals from many faiths, including
Calvary Fellowship, Mars Hill, Presbyterian, Foursquare,
Lutheran, Baptist and Catholic churches.”

MANASSAS, VIRGINIA

I recently had an opportunity to pray with the 40 Days
for Life team at their vigil site in Manassas, Virginia.

While we were praying, we were visited by a news team
from the Christian Broadcasting Network. They produced
a short feature on the campaign for The 700 Club and
other CBN programs.

Since some media reports haven’t presented an accurate
representation of what 40 Days for Life is all about,
this coverage was most welcome indeed!

For a link to the CBN video, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1947

Day 30 - April 7

Intention:

Let us pray that pastors may not be distracted from the priority of caring for human lives.

Scripture:

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

-- Acts 6:1

Reflection:

More folks learning left some yearning.

It is the dawning of a new day. There is much excitement in Jerusalem. Many who dedicated themselves to the faith became disciples (the word disciple means "learner"). The unprecedented church growth was miraculous and undoubtedly brought much satisfaction to the new leadership. The apostles, however, were about to experience growing pains in their master plan of evangelism.

Projects that engage the community, especially those that are evangelistic in nature, are high on the list of priorities for every duty-bound pastor. Church attendance is a constant concern for every pastor and often his or her worth is measured by it. Unfortunately, just as the original twelve pastors in Acts, they can be so focused on getting people in that they inadvertently end up pushing some people out.

Murmuring is a deplorable deterrent to a harmonious fellowship, yet God used it to get the disciples attention. Those that needed daily attention due to their age and social status were being neglected. This neglect of the Hellenist widows during the daily distribution of food was causing undue grief and needed to be corrected by the leadership. By God's grace the problem was dealt with, but the lesson remains.

And during these 40 days, let us pray that today's church not make the same mistake of forgetting the contributions of our seniors, or the needs of the weakest among us, the unborn.

Prayer:

Father, in the Church's desire to engage our communities with the gospel let her not disengage from those who need their care and company the most. Let us gain wisdom from those who have gone before us and cherish their experiences and perspectives. Help us to appreciate every soul in the body of Christ and minister properly to everybody. Amen.

Rev. Clenard Childress
LEARN (Life Education and Resource Network