Today’s email from Shawn Carney:
My note last week about the impact of children outside
abortion centers generated a lot of feedback — and
more pictures!
What a joy to see children at 40 Days for Life vigils!
After all, Jesus did say ...
... “Let the little children come to me.” And that’s
exactly what they’re doing!
Lisa wrote about her prayer time with her young son.
She usually brings a stroller and pushes him back and
forth along the sidewalk. But one day, she forgot to
bring the stroller.
After a while, they sat down on the sidewalk —
“a 6-foot-wide sidewalk,” she said, “not blocking
anyone’s way.”
An employee came out of the abortion center to ask if
she was waiting for a ride, and she said she was not.
The employee then asked if she was protesting.
“No, I’m praying,” Lisa responded.
The worker then said it was illegal to sit on the
sidewalk. That’s nonsense, of course. But it’s typical
talk from abortion center employees who just wish we’d
all go home.
It quickly became clear to Lisa that her young son
“was a threat to them; no one wants to see a child.
It makes you realize how amazing this life is. Sadly,
you can see the anger and evil in these people
who yell at us. Continue to pray and forgive them —
youll never know if you are changing their hearts!”
I can only imagine what people who work at Planned
Parenthood in Lafayette think when they see young
children praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil.
“We are working very hard praying for the babies,”
said one 4-year-old, who was at the vigil with her
1-year-old sister.
“They take it quite seriously,” said their mom.
“Our older daughter doesn’t fully understand what is
really going on; we’ve simply explained that the mommies,
daddies and babies need our prayers so that the babies
can be born ‘healthy and strong,’ which is just what
we prayed for her baby sister.”
They made a sign that said, “We’re praying for you” and,
on the reverse, “We love you and baby too!”
To see a couple of photos of children at prayer in
Lafayette — and you REALLY don’t want to miss these! —
please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1801
We have another photo of a youngster at a 40 Days for
Life prayer vigil — in a stroller, holding a “pray to
end abortion” sign. You can see it at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1801
He may not be able to read yet — but the people
walking into Planned Parenthood can!
“He held it and waved it for at least 15 minutes without
dropping!” said this young guy’s mom. “I’m proud of my
little social activist.”
On another day at the vigil, a woman entered Planned
Parenthood with some “choice words” for a lone volunteer
who was praying near a similar sign. A while later, she
left — still upset with the person praying.
The young woman took the “pray to end abortion” sign —
and left. Several days later, this same woman arrived,
pulled up another “pray to end abortion” sign that was
staked into the ground, tossed it in her car ... and
drove away.
“While we don’t know what is motivating this young
woman’s behavior,” said Juliet in Fayetteville, “we now
have the opportunity to pray for her, that she will find
healing for whatever is stirring in her heart.”
Day 19 - March 27
Intention:
Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times of Whom we represent.
Scripture:
I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.
-- Ephesians 4:1b-2
Reflection:
When Carol Everett, a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she said, "It was unconditional love," shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the abortion clinic where she worked.
He told Carol that "God had sent him" because there was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to "get out" of their bondage and sin. What a high calling it is -- much higher than any presidential appointment to another country.
In his book, Fishers of Men, Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Christ, the King of Kings:
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home. We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us onto those who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name of Christ who is worthy, amen.
Carmen Pate Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show