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I’m on the road again!

Louisiana is a special place — and when they decide
to do something, they go full force ... be it gumbo
or anything else.

Yesterday, I got to meet and pray with the 40 Days
for Life team in Shreveport. I’ve also heard great
things about the first-time campaign in Baton Rouge.

Everywhere I go — and every time I check my e-mail —
I keep hearing great stories about local campaigns.

Here are just a few.

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

The first 40 Days for Life campaign in Baton Rouge got
off to a fast start with 300 people attending an
interfaith prayer service.

On the campaign’s second day, three women with abortion
appointments changed their minds while a group of women
prayed with their children at the vigil outside the
abortion center.

Then there was a day when the facility did not see any
clients — on a day of the week when they typically see
about two dozen.

Charlotte in Baton Rouge is amazed by the number of
people participating who have never prayed at an
abortion facility before.

“Each person that we have talked with has found it to
be a powerful, transformative experience,” she said.
“The reality of seeing the building and knowing that
abortions take place there instills a deeper
conviction to help pray for an end to abortion.”

To see some photos of the 40 Days for Life events in
Baton Rouge, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2384

ITHACA, NEW YORK

A building in Ithaca appears to be “a lovely blue
Victorian house,” said Mary Anne, the local campaign
coordinator. Inside, however, it’s a facility that
provides abortions up to 13 weeks.

“All the prayer volunteers on our team have declared
this is definitely a life-changing experience and they
are all glad they got involved,” she said.

Mary Anne said evidence of spiritual warfare is
growing. Passersby can’t resist offering opinions
about the vigil.

One shouted, “I don’t have any kids and I NEVER
want any!”

A second person called out, “You people can’t
proselytize in public! You can’t force your beliefs
on others. Planned Parenthood doesn’t force their
beliefs on you!”

As one vigil volunteer said, prayers are more
effective when people stand together outside the
abortion facility than when they pray alone in the
comfort of their homes.

To see some pictures of the 40 Days for Life vigil site
in Ithaca, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2384

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

It rained all day in Jacksonville last Saturday —
except during the procession sponsored by the local
40 Days for Life team.

They prayed at one abortion center — then walked to a
second abortion facility for more prayer.

“Hundreds of devout pro-lifers faced the wet day and
trusted Him who is in charge of the weather,” said
Trudy in Jacksonville, “and clergy of all faiths
prayed to Him to rid our city of abortion.”

She reports the parking lots at both abortion centers
were all but empty — unusual for a Saturday.

To see pictures of the 40 Days for Life prayer
procession in Jacksonville, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2384

Day 18 - October 15

Intention:

We pray for a flowering of the joy of parenthood.

Scripture:

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

-- Psalm 127:3-5

Reflection:

I still vividly remember the day my first child was born. As she came into the world I gazed upon the most beautiful little baby I'd ever seen. Later I was driving home from the hospital for a shower and a fresh change of clothes when a song came on the radio, "The Men in My Little Girl's Life" -- a ballad about being a father as he watches his daughter grow through childhood to womanhood. I wept as I listened, knowing those years would go by very fast… and they did.

Being a father, whenever I read the Psalm quoted above I'm always captivated by one word - "heritage." It basically means "something passed down from a preceding generation." That little girl I watched being born and wept for is not mine to give to God like a product of our fertility, but rather His, which he has entrusted to us. So are all her siblings.

My wife and I share a great treasure: precious lives, which are placed in our lineage that His life with us might be perpetuated. To the psalmist, this was a blessing from the Lawgiver, God Himself, who blessed Israel with another generation intended to continue their covenantal promise. For us in Christ, it is his gift of succeeding generations for His Church and her families.

These days I'm looking upon my grandchildren, and rejoicing that my children and their spouses will pass on the greatness of Christ's gospel to them and thus will continue the work of God in the world. What a blessing. What a heritage!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, please keep me from taking for granted the gift of children. Help us to remember this heritage that you have given us. Make us faithful stewards of these precious lives, that each generation might be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Randolph Sly
National Pro-life Religious Council