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Day 10 - March 18

Intention:

May those who hold life as trivial realize that we live because God wills it so.

Scripture:

Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

-- Job 12:9-10

Reflection:

Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and tribulation. He had everything taken from him, including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule and judgment from his friends. Everyone gave him advice about his situation, questioning his spirituality and his God. Job's circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why? Because "the hand of the Lord has made all life." Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and purpose, regardless of the circumstances.

In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth; every life is made and allowed to live by God's sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging our dependence on God. From our creation, when we were knit together in our mother's womb to our last breath, God's word is clear that "in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

It's time for us as individuals, and as a society, to recognize that we exist by God's grace and turn back to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why? Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting desperately. Job's response should be ours as well. Regardless of what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom and mercy will redeem it. How do I know? Job's friends who doubted God's sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he does, God restores all that Job had lost. In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.

Prayer:

Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life. Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in response to all the blessings you bestow so freely. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Georgette Forney
President, Anglicans for Life

Today’s email from Shawn Carney:

It is about that time of the campaign ... the time
when the abortion facility workers are starting to
get a little agitated at — well — YOUR prayers.

It usually happens about 10 days into a 40 Days for
Life campaign.

I know it may be surprising, but not everyone likes
having a prayer vigil outside of their workplace.
That’s okay, because we’ve seen the power of those
prayers convert the hearts of many, at one time or
another, frustrated abortion center workers.

Here are a few examples of clinic worker agitation...

ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS

The abortion center in Rockford that is the site of
the 40 Days for Life vigil is a notorious location well
known in pro-life circles for its extreme attitude —
and vulgar signs posted in the windows.

Pro-lifers operate a mobile pregnancy care center near
the Rockford vigil site — and the abortion facility’s
staff and their friends are most assuredly not happy.

According to one 40 Days for Life volunteer, the
abortion center staff “did all they could to stop
mothers from using the mobile ultrasound ... even
blocking access to the door to the motorhome by
placing a sign from a local pawn shop in front of it
so it could only open a few inches.

“Because of the power of prayer and the witness of
Christians, they failed.”

The local team made a short video showing the mobile
ultrasound van — and a small group praying on the
other side of the street outside the abortion center.

To see the video, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1683

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

Business is most assuredly off at Planned Parenthood
in Virginia Beach.

“Tuesday is a regularly scheduled abortion day at
Planned Parenthood,” said Marcia, the local 40 Days
for Life coordinator in Virginia Beach. “Normally,
they do 10-15 abortions on Tuesday mornings. This
Tuesday, that number was down to seven.”

“I was at Planned Parenthood by myself from 5 to 6,”
added Charlie in Virginia Beach.

“About 5:45 a young couple stopped as they were
driving out from the parking lot, rolled down the
window, and told me that they had decided to keep
their baby,” he said. “I congratulated them, and
told them about Life Ministries.”

“That’s a major praise!” said Marcia.

NAPLES, FLORIDA

It looks like the staff is getting nervous at Planned
Parenthood in Naples, where faithful volunteers are
praying outside during 40 Days for Life prayer vigils.

One of the area’s TV stations received a complaint that
the people on the sidewalk were “harassing” Planned
Parenthood’s clients. So they sent out a news crew.

The reporter interviewed the woman who said she was
harassed.

The reporter also talked to a couple of 40 Days for
Life vigil participants, who were flabbergasted at
the idea that peacefully praying on the sidewalk could
ever be viewed as harassment.

I was in Naples just a few weeks ago and met these
sweet women — and that’s exactly what you’ll see in
the video.

The volunteers did a GREAT job of presenting the truth!

For a link to a report — and the video — from
WINK-TV, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1683

The words of Jesus come to mind. “Blessed are you when
they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind
of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice
and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven”
(Matthew 5:11-12).

Keep praying!