Replies

just got back from visiting the Roanoke, Virginia
campaign, where 40 Days for Life is having a huge
impact in the exact spot where lives are changed —
the public right of way outside the abortion center.

The changes that can be experienced there are profound
— and sometimes unexpected. Here are three examples.

CINCINNATI, OHIO

A dad wrote to say he and his teenage son were praying
outside the Planned Parenthood abortion center as part
of the 40 Days for Life vigil.

“We parked the car, crossed the street and walked up
to the black iron fence that surrounded the facility,”
he said. “Almost instantly, tears began to flow from
my eyes and would not stop; my heart felt like it was
being wrenched in my chest.”

His son only had one comment the entire time they were
there: “It feels so sad.” He later told this father he
did not want to speak, “out of fear that he would be
reduced to a sobbing mess on the concrete sidewalk.”

On the drive back home, the teen pulled out his phone
and started calling friends. His dad heard him tell one
friend after another such things as, “I don’t care what
they’re telling you in school. That’s a life inside a
woman, not just a blob of flesh or a tumor! Don’t ever
get an abortion! Don’t encourage someone to do it! Don’t!”

“I was taken aback,” the dad said. “I had never seen him
exhibit such a conviction. The vigil changed him. I
think it changed both of us in ways we could not have
imagined.”

For pictures of the vigil in Cincinnati, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2944

HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS

Debbie left a note on the 40 Days for Life blog about
her conversation with a man outside the abortion
center in Haverhill, where she was taking part in
the peaceful vigil.

She spoke to the man, and he told her his daughter was
inside. Debbie asked him, “Is there any way you can
change her mind? That’s your grandchild!”

As he walked toward the building, Debbie told him the
group would be praying. “He turned and gave me thumbs-up.”

About 10 minutes later, the man and his teenage
daughter walked out. “I asked is she going to keep
the baby — and he said we’re still talking about it,”
Debbie said. She then gave them information about the
local pregnancy care center — and the teen smiled.

“I’m still praying for them,” she said, noting there
are so many influences in the world that will tell
them there’s nothing wrong with abortion.

FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA

Carolyn and several others were standing in prayer
outside the abortion center in Fairfax when a woman
got out of her car and walked over to the volunteers.

This young woman explained that a year ago, she was
pregnant — and had scheduled an appointment there for
an abortion. When she drove past the building beforehand,
she saw people praying — and she changed her mind.

She then showed the volunteers a picture of her
4-month-old child.

She had wanted to stop by and tell her story, Carolyn
said, “and to thank us for what we were doing. It was
an amazing ‘God moment,’ and a very encouraging one
that I wanted to pass along.”

Day 24 - March 16

Intention:

That we may realize the generational impact of abortion.

Scripture:

Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said," If it is thus, why do I live?" So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples, born of you, shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger."

-- Genesis 25:21-23

Reflection:

Human beings -- God's tapestries.

What an answer to prayer!

Who dares to say that the unborn are not human, with distinct personality and character right from the moment of conception? This account emphasizes the vitality and uniqueness of the twins who, because of Isaac's prayer for his wife, were conceived in Rebekah's womb.

When Rebekah was told by the Lord that the older would serve the younger twin, God already knew that Jacob and Esau would lead turbulent and conflicted lives. God knows us and knows all about us, including our personality and disposition long before we are actually born, indeed, from the moment we are conceived in our mother's womb.

What a tragedy of gargantuan proportions that babies, planned and endowed by the Creator, with distinct and unique personalities and with, perhaps, a future and destiny intended for greatness, have their lives snuffed out by cruel abortionists before they ever see the light of day! May our prayers that the dreadful scourge of abortion in our land may vanish be as fervent as Isaac's were for Rebekah.

Prayer:

O, God, you formed us in our mother's womb and planned a unique and special life and purpose for each of us, and we do thank you. Grant that we may pray and work for an end to abortion, especially in these 40 Days, so that no unborn baby you have made may fail to achieve your divine intention for him or her because of intentional abortion. We pray this for the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Rev. Ben Sheldon
President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-life and National Pro-life Religious Council