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Day 28 - October 23

Intention:

We pray for the conversion of abortionists and all abortion advocates.

Scripture:

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow."

-- Isaiah 1:16-17

Reflection:

God is just.

Inscribed around the inside of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, are the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson: "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just." If the deist, Jefferson, knew in the depths of his being that God is just, how much more ought we Christians to reflect on this profound truth? The justice of God, like his holiness and his purity, encourages us to seek justice for all people. It is the evil deeds and wrong, selfish attitudes of our modern society that have led to the cavalier acceptance of abortion and euthanasia. But, as Jefferson also said, "his justice will not sleep forever."

God is calling us today to seek justice, to encourage the oppressed, and to defend the orphans and widows of our society. It is a noble calling! It is one which every true believer, every God-fearing man and woman, should heed with no hesitation and no reluctance. To follow the God of justice and truth is to stand unequivocally for the right to life of everyone, especially the unborn, the physically disabled, and the terminally ill. God's word through the prophet Isaiah is as relevant in today's 21st century world as it was in Isaiah's 8th century BC world. May God's grace help us to defend the unborn's right to life as well as that of the already born.

Prayer:

O God, our heavenly Father, give us courage and wisdom as we seek to eradicate the evil in our society. Help us to realize that your divine Spirit alone can change hearts and minds so that all your human creatures may enjoy the fullness of life you intended for them. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Rev. Ben Sheldon
President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-life and National Pro-life Religious Council

Today’s email from Shawn Carney:

Things are getting very busy as we head into the last
stretch of this 40 Days for Life campaign ... and I
have a lot to share today.

We have reports of two prayer events featuring youth
groups in Texas ... great words of encouragement from
a 40 Days for Life location in New England ... and a
bonus link to a fresh interview with 40 Days for Life
national director David Bereit!

FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY

David Bereit was interviewed by Kathryn Jean Lopez, who
serves as editor-at-large of National Review Online.

“When it comes to ending abortion,” David said in the
interview, “we recognize that ‘with man this is
impossible, but with God, all things are possible.’
We ask God, the author of life, to change hearts and
minds, to save lives and to impact eternal souls —
and He has responded in a profound way.”

To read the full interview, please go to:

http://tinyurl.com/8m36jwr

HOUSTON, TEXAS

Lauren Muzyka of the 40 Days for Life national team
had an opportunity to pray with young people from
Salt Church and St. Ignatius Loyola outside Planned
Parenthood’s abortion megaplex in Houston.

“The youth prayed intently in a circle while cars
were going in and out of the abortion center parking
lot,” she said. “It was so inspiring to see these
young people have a heart for their unborn brothers
and sisters as well as the women in crisis.”

It impressed Lauren that they were “so joyful and
thankful to be out there and part of this ministry.
Their youth minister told me they kept asking when
they could come back and pray.”

For a photo of the Houston vigil, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3595

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

“We had a successful youth hour with the pro-life
clubs from Atonement Academy and John Paul II High
School and a few members from the University of Texas
at San Antonio, St. Mary’s University and Northwest
Vista groups,” said Matt in San Antonio. “We filled
the sidewalk on both sides of the street!”

Matt said vigil participants stress the importance of
being charitable “to anyone and everyone you encounter
on the sidewalk, even if the emotions are high and even
if they disagree with your views or faith. The loving,
peaceful, charitable example that you show speaks much
louder than your words.”

For pictures of the youth groups at the San Antonio
vigil, go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3595

GREENLAND, NEW HAMPSHIRE

This is the seventh campaign in Greenland ... but
this time around, prayer volunteers are noticing more
positive responses than ever before.

“People are stopping to thank the prayer volunteers
on the sidewalk for what they are doing,” said Jackie,
the local campaign coordinator, “and are sharing their
own stories about how abortion has affected them.”

One day recently, a truck pulled up to the curb and the
driver got out. “Thank you for what you’re doing here,”
he said. He told the volunteers that many years ago,
he and his girlfriend had considered abortion ... but
decided against it. He now has a 38-year-old daughter.

Twenty years later, that daughter thought about having
an abortion ... and she also decided to keep her baby.
That baby is the man’s 18-year-old grandson. As he got
back into his truck, he called out to vigil participants,
“God bless you all!”

“The Holy Spirit is definitely working powerfully!”
Jackie said.