Replies

Day 16 - October 11

Intention:

Pray for the mothers going into pregnancy help centers. The personal care, the free ultrasound, the ongoing practical help is designed to deliver them from those who profit in shedding innocent blood.

Scripture:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

-- Matthew 11:28

Reflection:

"You have twins. That will be another $350." She did not speak English. But she finally understood that they were telling her to go get more money and return for her abortion.

She had already given them her rent money. But they were not about to give her a two-for-one deal. They told her to get dressed and return with more cash. A couple, who was praying outside, comforted her. They brought her to their local pregnancy help center.

The staff quickly saw that her personal circumstances were so desperate, and immediate, that they would need direct and ongoing help from local Christians and churches. They started making calls.

Then they did the ultrasound. It showed there was only one baby, not two. This abandoned, immigrant, powerless mother was being exploited. She would do whatever she was told. Who would know? Who would care?

God calls us to "Rescue the weak and the needy; and deliver them from the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:4).

When you provide an alternative to abortion you are not only rescuing innocent babies, you are delivering mothers from the wicked: those who profit in the shedding of innocent blood. Pray for those who rescue and deliver daily at your local pregnancy help center.

Prayer:

Father, hear our prayer! Snatch desperate mothers from the fire. Bring them out of our abortion businesses and into our pregnancy help centers. Deliver them from evil. Use us to help them chose life and see your hand of provision.

Rev. John Ensor
Vice President, Heartbeat International

Roday’s email:

I’m in Texas today ... but I would like to turn my
attention westward — to California. I’ve been to
California during nearly every 40 Days for Life
campaign — and I’ll be there again in two weeks.

“West coast” and “pro-life” don’t often go together
in most people’s minds. But ... they really do!
And California continues to show what God can do,
no matter where you live.

California now has 37 campaigns currently under way
— more 40 Days for Life locations than any other
state in America. There are voices for life standing
witness from one end of the state to the other. And
people are listening!

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA

Rebecca says Thursday is typically a surgical abortion
day at Planned Parenthood in San Luis Obispo — and it
appeared this would be the case as usual. “Young women
showed up for abortions,” she said, “although in
drastically reduced numbers than we’ve seen in the past.”

One woman came out, got in her car and left. It was
clear she had not been inside long enough for an
abortion. Then another woman came out, accepted pro-life
information from one of the volunteers — and she also
left. One by one, these young women all went home.

The abortionist never showed up!

“Whatever the reason for no surgical abortions being
performed,” Rebecca said, “God is answering our prayers!
We’re now praying that no abortions are performed in
San Luis Obispo during the 40 Days for Life campaign.
To God be the glory!”

To see a picture of the vigil in San Luis Obispo,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3459

STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA

Janelle in Stockton says this campaign has brought
blessings in disguise. When the planning process began,
she was concerned that there would not be enough prayer
volunteers to be present for all of the hours Planned
Parenthood would be open.

But, she said, “God proved otherwise.”

Something happened at Planned Parenthood after
40 Days for Life started. They’ve been closing early.
Not only have they closed early, but on one Saturday,
they didn’t even open at all.

“When they are closed,” Janelle said, “we are there.
We’ve been able to help and offer information as an
alternative. So far we’ve taken three women to the
local pregnancy help center just down the street
where they can receive good, healthy counseling for
themselves and their children.”

Because Planned Parenthood was closed, she said,
several lives and souls were saved ... and there’s
less money for Planned Parenthood. “God is good,”
Janelle said, “all the time!”

MILL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

Mill Valley likes to be known for its tolerance —
but only, it seems, if you’re pro-abortion. At the
first-time 40 Days for Life vigil outside Planned
Parenthood, Ruth Ann says she’s been lectured on
overpopulation, on Planned Parenthood’s alleged
value to poor women — even on global warming.

“I was called judgmental, a bigot, stupid — and I
was told I was wasting my time,” Ruth Ann said. “I
was told to go home, as the locals were sure I wasn’t
from Mill Valley.”

But, she says, there have been blessings. A woman
stopped by to thank them for being there. A man who
arrived with his two sons asked what they were doing
— and praised God when he found out. “He said we were
in the belly of the beast,” she said, “and he has come
to pray with us every day.”

Ruth Ann’s volunteer list has continued to grow. “I
believe it is important,” she said, “for people to
know that not everyone believes abortion is good for
our society.”