Day 22 - October 17
Intention:
May those who hold life as trivial realize that we live because God wills it so.
Scripture:
Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
-- Job 12:9-10
Reflection:
Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and tribulation. He had everything taken from him, including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule and judgment from his friends. Everyone gave him advice about his situation, questioning his spirituality and his God. Job's circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why? Because "the hand of the Lord has made all life." Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and purpose, regardless of the circumstances.
In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth; every life is made and allowed to live by God's sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging our dependence on God. From our creation, when we were knit together in our mother's womb to our last breath, God's word is clear that "in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."
It's time for us as individuals, and as a society, to recognize that we exist by God's grace and turn back to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why? Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting desperately. Job's response should be ours as well. Regardless of what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom and mercy will redeem it. How do I know? Job's friends who doubted God's sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he does, God restores all that Job had lost. In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.
Prayer:
Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life. Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in response to all the blessings you bestow so freely. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Georgette Forney
President, Anglicans for Life
We need to pray for an end to abortion in our churches
and homes ... every day! That prayer foundation helps
sustain us when we physically go to pray at the places
where abortions actually happen ... and our peaceful,
prayerful presence makes a HUGE difference!
Abortion facilities are lonely and cold places — but
your prayerful presence gives hope to women at the
very last moment before they enter for their abortions.
It may not always be as comfortable as our homes
or churches ... but when we take our prayers to the
abortion facilities and bring God’s hope to places
where there is no hope — He uses our faithfulness
to save lives from abortion.
Your prayers on the sidewalks are working! Here are
just a few examples.
GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND
Andrew in Germantown shared some stories and pictures
about children. After all, this is all about the kids!
One of the pictures he sent was a mother and her baby
— a child whose life was spared. “His mother had
scheduled an abortion,” Andrew said, “but after talking
to one of the sidewalk counselors, she chose life.”
The other picture shows Andrew’s one-year-old daughter
Lucy holding a “pray to end abortion” sign. “It’s
literally her potential friends, classmates and peers”
whose lives are at risk, he said.
He also told of an 11-year-old who was out praying
with his dad one night. As it was starting to get a
bit cold, the father asked the son if he wanted to
go back to the car. “No way,” he said. “If I can
potentially save the life of a baby ... I’m going to
sacrifice and stand out here.”
Then there was a woman and her 11-year-old son who
were praying outside the late-term abortion center.
“He prayed that a group of cars passing us would be
supportive, even the pizza delivery guy passing by,”
the mom said.
“And immediately the pizza guy started honking!”
“God is answering our prayers in big and small ways,”
Andrew said. “It’s a great reminder that God hears
all of our prayers.”
To see the pictures Andrew sent me, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3521
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
Four people arrived at the abortion center in a
minivan — a young man, a young woman and two other
women. Vigil participants said it may have been the
younger woman’s mother and grandmother.
Outside the building, they had a rather animated
discussion, with the older woman insisting that the
young girl go inside. “This older woman refused any
offers of help and was mad that we had even offered,”
said one of the volunteers.
With that, all four of them went in. About a half
hour later, however, they all came back out. There
was another lively discussion, but this time they
were smiling. The girl’s mother said, “We’re not going
to do it.” And then she whispered, “Thank you, God!”
To see a picture of the vigil in Grand Rapids, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3521
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA
Volunteers in Rochester had a very specific situation
to pray about — a teenage girl who was three months
pregnant, whose mother was insisting on abortion.
The girl had an appointment scheduled with her family
doctor. The baby’s father went with her — but her
mother wasn’t able to be there. Nevertheless, the
young woman was planning to tell the doctor that she
would have the abortion.
That all changed when they saw the sonogram. “I can’t
have an abortion,” she said. “I am keeping my baby.”
Continued prayer is needed because of what one of the
volunteers called “complicated family dynamics” and
that this young mother can make the best decisions
for herself and the baby.
To see a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Rochester, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3521