Replies

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

40 Days for Life national director David Bereit and I
are in the process of visiting 40 Days for Life
locations, and that’s where we are — on the road again.

I was in Fort Collins, Colorado yesterday. Today and
tomorrow, David is scheduled to go to seven locations
in Minnesota.

And just recently, he and I were both able to visit
40 Days for Life participants in Helena, Montana.

Here are a few more highlights from local 40 Days for
Life events.

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

At the kickoff event of the 40 Days for Life campaign
in Memphis, Stefanie met a young woman.

“She said she saw us on the sidewalk,” she said, “and
decided to walk on over.” The girl had been staying with
a family that lives right behind Planned Parenthood —
she had been kicked out of her home.

“I told her please do not enter that building,” Stefanie
said, pointing towards Planned Parenthood, “and that I
could take her to a pregnancy center.” She agreed to go.

“Thank God we were all out there in numbers for our
kick-off rally”” she said. “She had fifty people praying
for her and the life of her baby!”

To see a picture from the kickoff event in Memphis,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2299

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Wynette in Sacramento says the abortion center where
40 Days for Life vigils are held has done something
special for this fall’s campaign.

The facility’s owner has put up solid redwood fence
panels on their wrought iron gate.

“The original wrought iron fence allowed us frequent
access to women who were considering abortion, enabling
us to speak with them and offer them assistance,” she
said. “But apparently, the abortion business is not
really supportive of ‘choice’ as they do everything
they can to prevent women from changing their minds.”

The thing is, Wynette said, the power of prayer knows
no barriers.

A couple explained to vigil participants why they had
come to this abortion center.

“We already have a two-month-old baby at home and we
just can’t handle another one so soon,” said the young
mother. They had come the week before, but just couldn’t
go through with the abortion and left.

“We came back today,” she said, “but they just told us
the doctor isn’t going to show up, so all appointments
have been canceled. We take this as a sign that maybe
we shouldn’t go through with the abortion.”

To see pictures of the big fence — and some of the
prayer team members in Sacramento — please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2299

GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND

“The Germantown 40 Days for Life is off to a great
start,” said Andrew, one of the local coordinators.

There is a special feature at the Germantown location —
a candlelight vigil every Sunday evening outside the
abortion center. The abortionist there is Leroy
Carhart, who travels from his home in Nebraska to
perform late-term abortions in Maryland.

“Carhart has regularly been coming on Sundays to
start the late-term abortion procedures,” Andrew
explained. “We would like to be there to pray for
these women, their babies, Carhart and his staff.
Thank you to everyone for coming out to pray so far.”

I echo that thank you — for YOU and for everyone
who has set aside time to pray for an end to abortion
during this 40 Days for Life campaign.