Replies

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!”