Welcome to 40 Days for Life: September 26

Day 35 - October 30

Intention:

Pray for post-abortive women who cannot forgive themselves; may they understand that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Scripture:

Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.

-- Romans 4:7-8

Reflection:

In the passage above, the Apostle Paul making a point about justification by faith, refers back to David's words in Psalm 32:1-2. In spite of the enormity of David's sin -- adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband -- and the utter absence of any personal merit, David in his brokenness, understood the imputed righteousness of God. David's response was not continued guilt over his sins, but praise for his freedom from guilt, and God's power to live life differently.

Once your relationship with God has been restored, your guilt has served its purpose and should no longer be given place in your life. This is true regardless of the sin, including the sin of abortion. As a post-abortive woman, I too struggled with this issue until I realized that punishing and hating myself after receiving God's forgiveness was an insult to God.

It was as though I were minimizing Christ's work on the cross as insufficient to cover my sin. I was denying Him the opportunity to bring glory to His name for the healing and restoration He wanted to do in my life. I was giving victory to the enemy who having lost the battle for my soul, was bent on destroying my testimony as I accepted the continual guilt he heaped on my mind.

It is my joy to continually sing of God's grace rather than give the devil a foothold in my life. Don't waste God's mercy! Accept His forgiveness and forgive yourself as testimony of His amazing grace.

Prayer:

Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. I come against the enemy of my soul who would have me feel cast down and dejected. Lord, keep your children from falling prey to the accusations of the father of lies. Turn our mourning into dancing and may we bring praise to you as we give testimony of Your healing and restoration in our lives. For by His grace we are saved, amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

Today’s email:

First of all today, please know that everyone affected
by Hurricane Sandy remains in our prayers. Some 40 Days
for Life prayer vigils have been suspended because of
the weather, so please check with your local campaign
coordinators before heading out to pray.

At the end of this week, 46 cities will be completing
their first-ever 40 Days for Life campaigns.

But whether a city is conducting its first campaign
or its tenth, there are profound effects on the people
praying ... the people they’re praying for ... and the
entire community.

Prayers are being answered! Here are some examples.

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

“So far, we’ve been very blessed with eight babies
saved,” the Baton Rouge team reported. There also
seems to be less activity inside the abortion center
since the 40 Days for Life vigil has been under way.

“The Delta abortion facility has only seen patients
two times each week for the last two weeks, which
is a big change,” said Charlotte in Baton Rouge.
“The new abortionist had been, at times, coming up
to four times per week.”

She also shared the good news that a pro-life
pregnancy center is opening next door to the abortion
facility, “hopefully with an ultrasound machine in
place very soon.”

This is the second 40 Days for Life campaign in
Baton Rouge. Charlotte said people are boldly
stepping forward in ways the community has never
seen before.

To see a picture from the Baton Rouge vigil, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3703

DUBUQUE, IOWA

Tina, the local 40 Days for Life coordinator in
Dubuque, became worried about the people at the vigil
when a huge rainstorm broke out, so she drove by to
check on the volunteers outside Planned Parenthood
to see if they should take shelter.

But no one wanted to leave. “They had umbrellas,” she
said, “and they were soaked. But despite that, they
had great big smiles on their faces.”

A bit later, one of the soaking wet volunteers stopped
off at the local right to life office to drop off a
donation — the profits from a garage sale she had held
the previous weekend.

“The prayer at the clinic has been such a great blessing,
not just on those going into the clinic, but also to
those on the front line and those passing by us on the
street,” Tina said. “We are so grateful to have this
wonderful event in our city and by God’s grace, we are
praying for the clinic to close quickly.”

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

Ed in Birmingham says this city’s ninth 40 Days for
Life campaign has seen “some very interesting days.”

As always, there are days where just a few people are
praying at any one time — but there was one day when
a local church adopted every hour and the sidewalk
was full.

This was a day when Planned Parenthood expected a
high number of clients for their pre-abortion visit.
“Alabama has a 24-hour waiting period,” Ed explained,
“and before 8:00 am, they began to arrive. But on
this day, God showed us His grace.”

It seems a number of the women were willing to talk
to the pro-life volunteers — and even to accompany
them to the nearby pregnancy help center.

“Before lunch, we delivered six women away from
Planned Parenthood and to a chance at choosing life.
When the day was done, four of those women chose life
for their child,” he said. “Thanks be to God!”

To see a picture of the vigil in Birmingham, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3703

Day 36 - October 31

Intention:

May the Lord of Light and Life unite us, shine in us and through us to make a difference in the darkness.

Scripture:

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

-- Ephesians 5:8-13

Reflection:

For centuries physicists debated the nature of light. Two theories surfaced. The "corpuscular theory" maintained that light consisted of particles emitted from a light source. This explained some properties of light, but not all. The "wave theory" stated that light emitted from its source as waves. Again, this explained some properties of light but not all. So, the debate continued. Did light consist of particles or waves?

In the early twentieth century, Albert Einstein answered the question-"Yes!" (And you thought Einstein was complicated!) He showed that light consists of "particles," little bundles of energy called "photons." However, when all of these photons zip along together, they behave as a wave.

Sometimes pro-life Christians can feel like a photon, a little particle of light, and we wonder if we can possibly make a difference in a world of darkness and death. The Bible, however, never talks about a "child of light" only "children of light." When Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world," "You" is plural. When you and I shine in the darkness, others shine with us. We are pro-life "photons" that form a wave of light that can and does make a difference in the darkness.

We are compelled to do so. Jesus hung and suffered on the darkness of the cross and paid the bloody price for our sins. Now the light of His empty tomb shines upon us through His Spirit cleansing us and declaring us "children of light." But we are called to be more than "glow in the dark" children of light. We are to "walk as children of light" and take no part in the "unfruitful works of darkness." But it does not stop with passive restraint. We "photons" are called to action, to "expose" the works of darkness.

40 Days for Life epitomizes this. Our prayer, witness, and truth spoken in love seeks to expose the darkness of death and bring others into the marvelous light of Jesus Christ. When we stand and pray, we never stand alone. The Light of the World is there and He joins you with your fellow "lights of the world." The wave of light He produces shatters the darkness. It changes and saves lives. Shine on fellow photons!

Prayer:

Shine Jesus, shine in us and through us into the darkness and upon those struggling in the darkness that they might be drawn to the Light of Life. Amen.

Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb
Executive Director, Lutherans for Life and President, National Pro-life Religious Council

You are welcome. Here is today’s email:

Prayer is required in the pro-life movement. If
we just run out the door to try to save the world,
we’re only going to make it about 10 minutes.

Abortion is overwhelming; but when we have prayer,
and not ourselves, as the foundation ... our faith
in Christ really can move mountains.

When we ask people if they’ve experienced spiritual
growth through their participation in 40 Days for
Life, the answer is an overwhelming “YES!”

Sometimes it is expected. Sometimes it’s not. Of
course ... we pray, hope and act to save babies,
help women and show mercy to abortion workers. But
most often, it is our own hearts that our Lord is
working on during these 40 days.

Here are the thoughts of several volunteers, taken
from the 40 Days for Life blog — in their own words.

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS

“This was my first year to participate in 40 Days for
Life. I had been wanting to get involved in the
pro-life cause for some time now, and I happened to
hear about 40 Days for Life on Facebook.

“I drove three hours to pray outside of the Planned
Parenthood in Fayetteville ... this is the town where
six years ago to the day I found out that I was
pregnant and scheduled an abortion. Thankfully, a
pro-life group was there for me and helped me make
the right decision. I have a beautiful 5-year-old
daughter now.

“I was really wanting a chance to ... pay forward the
kindness once shown to me. But even better than that,
not a single person arrived at the clinic the entire
time we were praying outside! It was a blessing just
to be there and take part.

“99% of the people passing by in their cars waved
approval at us, blew kisses, pointed at children in
their back seat or honked. People are beseeching God
to end abortion and He is answering our prayers.”

CLEVELAND, OHIO

“We are praying in Cleveland in front of SurgiCenter
that has been killing unprotected unborn children as
old as 19 weeks for years — and is where I walk my
40 Days for Life prayer vigil. It is on a city street
that some passing cars beep their encouragement to me,
a 69-year- old man, who never expected to be praying
in public protest to anything.

“God has called me to step out in faith to stand up and
walk in reverence in support of 40 Days for Life. It is
an empowering experience for me that combines prayer,
meditation and action. My effort is rewarded many times
over with a spiritual and physical renewal.”

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

“We are so overjoyed to report ... the San Jose prayer
warriors and sidewalk counselors met and helped a
woman decide on life for her child!

“We prayed and listened to her story. She had no money
for gas, so I drove her ... to get spiritual counseling
and personal support. She has hope in the world now,
because as she told me in my car, ‘I’m glad I met you,
too. There are good people in this world.’”

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

“Just being at the prayer vigils here in Memphis is a
spiritual blessing filling me with joy. It’s beautiful,
especially considering some of us are from different
‘flavors’ of Christianity, but one in Christ.

“One of our leaders patiently listened to an angry
man unload all his objections to the pro-life cause
and the church. She quietly and lovingly answered
all his questions.

“Although many drivers shout thanks, wave and honk
in a friendly way ... a very angry driver laid on
his horn ... and another irate driver screamed an
obscenity at us. We felt blessed, and were reminded
of our brothers and sisters who suffer much worse
for the sake of Christ.

“Thank you, faithful 40 Days for Life leaders and
fellow prayers, for offering me this wonderful
opportunity.”

Day 37 - November 1

Intention:

Pray that we will each submit ourselves this day as a living sacrifice to God, giving all that we have in us for those being sacrificed on the altar of convenience.

Scripture:

-- Romans 12:1

Reflection:

Since all things are for His glory, we are to offer ourselves for that purpose. This of course is in sharp contrast to those who are being swayed by the enemy to sacrifice their babies on the altar of convenience, rather than choosing to surrender their all, including their unborn child, to the Lord for His purposes.

A career, education goals, or even a boyfriend can unknowingly become an idol for some young women. In their minds, abortion is a convenient way to "rid themselves" of an obstacle in the way of their "worship."

In light of the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf, and the fruit of God's mercies on our lives, we owe God our highest form of praise and worship. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is therefore reasonable service.

We were made to worship God and God alone. The enemy who seeks worship for himself distorts God's truth regarding worship, sacrifice, idols, and children.

As you have given of yourself to rescue those who are perishing -- the young woman and her child -- you are worshiping God in the truest sense of the word.

May your example lead an abortion minded client to turn from her idols to worship the one true God, sparing her child from the altar of convenience, and sparing herself from a lifetime of regret.

Prayer:

God Almighty, You alone are worthy of our praise and worship. Having accepted Your Son's sacrifice on my behalf, I in turn present my body to you as a living sacrifice. Thank you for deeming me holy and acceptable because of Christ's shed blood for me. I pray that you would use me as your vessel to rescue others who are perishing. Through Christ who is Our Glory, Amen.

Carmen Pate
40 Days for Life board of directors

Today’s devotional deals with sacrifice … and really, that’s what 40 Days for Life is all about — sacrifice.

It’s a lot easier to hit the snooze button and roll over for a little more sleep than it is to get out of bed early in the morning and drive down to an abortion center vigil.

It’s a lot easier to stay at home at night to watch a movie with the family than to go pray outside a building where the doors are locked and all the lights are off.

But we make the sacrifice.

We do it not for ourselves … but for Christ, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. And when we pray, He listens.

—————————————————–
ITHACA, NEW YORK
—————————————————–

When it comes to ending the abortion crisis, Mary Anne in Ithaca put it simply: “Prayer is the key.”

People will walk past vigil participants, telling them that their presence on the street is a waste of time — or that they should be doing something useful, like providing food and clothing for the poor. “Many do not see prayer as an activity,” she said.

Mary Anne recalled a young couple who got out of their car to talk to her. The man spoke about all of the supposed “good” that Planned Parenthood does.

She responded, “Think about your fatherhood. You’ll regret your lost fatherhood. I would not go in there.” She told him about the pregnancy help center around the corner. The couple walked up and down the street — but never went into Planned Parenthood.

—————————————————–
LONDON, ONTARIO
—————————————————–

The 40 Days for Life team in this Canadian city told of an 18-year-old woman who stopped to talk to the people praying outside the hospital.

She was pregnant and was considering abortion. Every day, she had to travel past the people praying outside the hospital. And every time she went by, in her mind she would hear the words, “Don’t kill.”

It really bothered her. So she figured she’d just take an alternate route. But still she thought of the vigil, and the words would not go away. She then told the vigil participants she was no longer abortion-minded.

“I imagine she’ll have many obstacles to overcome,” one of the volunteers said, “but God can do all things.”

—————————————————–
PORTLAND, OREGON
—————————————————–

“This is our second campaign at Planned Parenthood in Portland,” Therese said. “This time, Planned Parenthood actually hired two security guards to work on surgical abortion days.”

Last week, one of those guards came to deliver a message to vigil participants — the abortion center had put up a sign. The volunteers couldn’t see it from where they were standing, so the guard came and told them. The sign read, “Planned Parenthood will be closed at 2:00 today.”

“They normally close at 4:00,” Therese said. “This is the first time I know of that this has happened.”

She also noted the presence of mothers and children at the 40 Days for Life vigil. “It is such a powerful witness to see Moms and kids out there,” she said … adding that the children love to hold signs.

“The Holy Spirit is moving in so many ways here,” Therese said, “It is just amazing!”

Day 38 - November 2

Intention:

Pray that we become vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement.

Scripture:

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"

-- Luke 24:1-5

Reflection:

This meditation, based on a sermon I once heard, is adapted for pro-life concerns.

It's Friday. Jesus is on the cross. He has been killed by his enemies; he is off the scene. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday. Abortionists continue their work 3,300 times a day, tearing off the arms and legs of little babies and crushing their heads. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'! It's Friday. Pro-abortion groups receive blood money from billionaires who are as deceived as they are. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday. Liars attempt to speak for all women and hide the pain of abortion, and ignore the evidence of how it harms women, and call abortion a blessing. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'! It's Friday. People of hardened hearts guard the clinics and usher desperate women in to have their abortions, while keeping them from the pro-life people who want to give them hope. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the whole picture, which is that evil is conquered because of what happened one Sunday morning. The power of sin and death has been broken by the Resurrection of Christ. We are called to proclaim, celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful hope for Christ's return and the full flowering of the Culture of Life! Indeed, Sunday's comin'!

Prayer:

Lord, fill your people with new hope. Make us vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement, that as we engage in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody can take away from us. We ask this through Christ our Lord, amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life and President, National Pro-life Religious Council

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