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On Monday mornings during 40 Days for Life campaigns,
we always like to start off the week with great news.
And today is no exception.

In response to your prayers and sacrifices, God has
answered with grace and mercy. There have been ...

... 38 babies — that we know of — spared from abortion
since this campaign started last Wednesday!

Praise God!

Here are just a few of the stories behind that number.

DALLAS, TEXAS

The first day of the 40 Days for Life vigil, three
mothers chose life for their babies!

In the words of the Dallas prayer coordinator, “There
was a steady powerful prayer presence non-stop as
people came ‘passing the baton.’ The prayer chain
was unbroken.”

Earlier in the week, nearly 300 people joined in the
nearby park to raise their voices in praise and worship
during the Dallas kickoff event.

Ramona Trevino shared her journey from Planned
Parenthood manager to pro-life witness. “Ramona’s
testimony lit up the night as a shining example of
what God’s people can do when they show up and put
their trust and faith in God almighty,” said
another member of the Dallas leadership team.

“Thank you to all those who have sacrificed, prayed,
fasted and come to the sidewalk for their little
brothers and sisters who are yet to be born. Thank
you, Holy Spirit, for moving hearts so miraculously
and so wonderfully.”

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

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2292

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK

Syracuse also reported a life saved in the campaign’s
early hours.

“On this very first day of our fall campaign, one of
our faithful prayer volunteers ministered to a woman
coming to Planned Parenthood,” said Jeanie in Syracuse.

The woman had come for an abortion. But following her
discussion with the 40 Days for Life volunteer, the
woman chose life for her baby and accepted an invitation
to go to a pro-life pregnancy care center.

“Praise God! To Him be the Glory!” said Jeanie. “May we
continue to be vessels of His love and mercy!”

We’ve posted a picture of the kickoff event in Syracuse.
You can see it at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2292

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

“We had a blockbuster first day,” said Major in
Huntsville. Prayer volunteers were at the clinic all
day — including 20 who joined a local pastor for prayer
early in the afternoon.

“That’s an excellent showing,” Major said, “but it
gets better.”

One of the counselors on the sidewalk struck up a
conversation with a woman who was thinking about
abortion. It turns out the woman was married and had
a son who was not quite two years old.

“The counselor was finally able to convince her to
keep her baby,” he said. “She accepted one of our
baby gifts. Her husband came and picked her up and
they left. Glory be to God! What a great first day!”

Day 7 - October 4

Intention:

May we have a heart and a zeal to save the poor and release the oppressed.

Scripture:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

-- Luke 4:18-19

Reflection:

This passage is a very familiar one. It has been preached on many occasions, even made popular in books and songs. Though the quote is about Jesus, all Christians take this commission seriously as a directive on how to reach the world with the gospel. We, like our Savior, are to bring the good news to the poor, the broken hearted, those in captivity, those who cannot see, and the oppressed.

The commission given to us in this passage is clearly a charge to care for those for whom God cares the most. I wonder though, whom do we look for to be touched by the Holy Spirit as we go out into the world?

Who are the poor, if not those unborn children who have been abandoned by their parents before they ever leave the womb? Who are the broken hearted, if not those unborn children whose only example of love is having their mother take them to an abortion clinic to be destroyed, or the mother of a child who has been deceived by everyone around her into believing that what she is doing is best for her and her child? Who are the captives, if not those unborn children who are bound over to death by the "choice" of abortion? Who is more blind than an unborn child in the darkness of a womb that has become a waiting room for their death? And who is more oppressed than those unborn children whose oppression has been legitimized by their government, their church and even their family and loved ones.

Prayer:

Lord, You empower us with Your Spirit to do your will in the earth. Send us to the poorest, the most broken, the most captive, the most blind and the most oppressed in the world, the innocent pre-born children in their mother's wombs that are scheduled for destruction. Help us to bring them healing, liberty, sight and justice through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Fr. Terry Gensemer
National Director, Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life