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Last night it was my computer that was slow. So here is today's devotional.

Day 10 - October 5

Intention:

Pray for your local pregnancy help center: for those who answer calls from women considering abortion, those who provide ultrasounds, and those who personally help mothers prepare to parent or place for adoption.

Scripture:

Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

--Psalm 82:4

Reflection:

When a woman arrives at her local pregnancy help center, the hard work of "rescuing the weak" begins. They listen to her. What desperate circumstance is driving her? They act. A professional ultrasound and medical care is provided. They pray, "God use us." Then, they take up her burdens and work towards life. It is cross-bearing for the child-bearing.

Recently, I prayed for one volunteer who was working with one mother in her struggle. Here is what "rescue the weak" looked like in this one case:

Aug 3: She made an appoint-ment for Thursday to get an abortion and while she feels terrible about it, she also feels like she has no choice. Pray that her heart is changed!
Aug 10: She is 12 weeks along but missed her appointment. She had some good conversa-tions with people at the preg-nancy center. She is now considering adoption.
Aug 13: Things are down again. She now has an abortion scheduled for Monday. Pray!
Aug 17: Missed appointment! God is working in her life.
Sept 1: We've hit another rocky period. She has an abortion scheduled for tomorrow. She found out today that her parents are planning a trip to visit her and she is panicking.
Sept 15: Missed third appointment. But feels like she has no choice. Please pray today.
Sept 20: She fears her parents but has agreed to another ultrasound (a breakthrough).
Sept 22: I was there with her for her ultrasound. She saw her baby moving and made the realization that she wants to carry her baby.

Please keep praying against attack by the enemy. We are overwhelmed by seeing God's hand move in this situation and are so very thankful for the prayers lifted up by each one of you. God is good!

Prayer:

Father, we praise you for this one sister who gave herself, heart and soul, to rescue this one mother and baby. O may you empower the hundreds more today who are serving in our pregnancy help centers. Grant those answering calls, providing ultrasound and following up with a bold spirit of truth, love and perseverance.

Rev. John Ensor
Vice President, Heartbeat International

I’m boarding a plane to visit the 40 Days for Life
campaign in Rockland County, New York — and later
tonight, I’m speaking at a pregnancy center event.

This location is a great example of collaboration
because the pregnancy resource center is across the
street from the Planned Parenthood abortion facility
and they work closely with the 40 Days for Life
volunteers to help women find loving alternatives.

This is the second location for 40 Days for Life
in Rockland County — the first abortion facility
CLOSED after a 40 Days for Life campaign a few
years back!

Praying in front of an abortion center makes a
difference — in New York or anywhere else. Like most
people, I was a bit fearful the first time I did it.
But that fear is no match for the peace and hope that
prayer brings to what seems like a hopeless situation.

If you have never done it, now is the time! But don’t
take my word for it — here are some personal prayer
experiences that vigil participants shared on the
40 Days for Life blog.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

One volunteer wrote about his first time as a 40 Days
for Life participant at the Raleigh vigil. During his
90 minutes of prayer, he watched people come and go.
“The thing that struck me the most was how everyone
who went in and came out was trying very hard not to
look at me,” he said.

He watched as a worker came out with letters to put
in the mail. “She had to walk by me to get to the
mailbox. The whole time to the mailbox and back ...
she walked with her head down and turned away.”

He said that the workers and clients alike didn’t
look angry, and didn’t look like they were trying
to ignore him. No, he said, “they looked ashamed.”

He prayed that all these people would come to know
Jesus, that they would “turn from the very thought”
of aborting babies and become advocates for life. “I
didn’t want to leave,” he said. “I hope to get back
to pray ... during this 40 Days for Life campaign.”

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Another writer said that as she prayed during the
vigil at a Long Beach Planned Parenthood location,
she also handed out information about pro-life
pregnancy resources in the area.

“Most took the info from me because I wore a smile,”
she said, “and couldn’t look mean if I tried to!”

One woman in particular left a strong impression.
“She got out of her car right in front of the front
door, and she looked as if she had been crying, she
was so distraught,” the volunteer said.

“She wouldn’t talk to me or take my info — but
went into the building.”

The woman was still inside two hours later when
this vigil participant left. “The hopelessness
and devastation on her face I will never forget.
I prayed for her and her baby, that she would
change her mind as God spoke to her heart.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Two women were praying outside the abortion facility
in Melbourne when a young couple drove up. They got
out of their car quickly — and walked hurriedly
towards the building.

As they reached the door, “the young woman looked
back at us,” one of the volunteers said. “We lifted
the intensity of our prayer. About 15-20 minutes later,
they came out again.”

She said the man was very angry and spoke to the woman
rather aggressively. They got into their car and drove
off. It appeared the man was all in favor of abortion,
but the woman was not.

“We have been praying for them ever since,” she said.
“Please continue to pray for this young couple. May
40 Days for Life be successful in ending abortion
around the world!”

The 40 Days for Life team in Melbourne has put together
a short but powerful video about the local campaign.
It’s sure to be impressive wherever you’re watching!

You can check it out at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3367