Today's update is from Steve Karlen, our North American outreach director. Steve reports from the state of Washington, where he visited five 40 Days for Life locations — all in one day!
At one stop, he learned some very good news about a Planned Parenthood center that’s decreased its business hours ... not once, but twice!
Everett and Marysville, Washington
I met with teams from both Everett and Marysville, where participants ranged in age from little tykes to senior citizens. And they’re making a big impact.
David, the Marysville coordinator, told me the Planned Parenthood there continues to cut the number of days it’s open. They’re down to three days a week now. It had been four days a week for the last year and a half … and five days a week before that.
Renton, Washington
Christina, the director in Renton, introduced me to some of her best helpers. One woman at the vigil comes to pray three hours a day — all year round. It’s a challenging vigil location — a very busy street with lots of noise — and the abortion facility is set way back. We prayed together and sang Amazing Grace.
Federal Way, Washington
The Federal Way vigil is at a Planned Parenthood center in front of a strip mall. One business owner in the area has been quite hostile. The good news, however, is that the campaign is definitely growing. Lisa, the local leader, reports that abortions are down around 25% when they are out praying.
Vancouver, Washington
The Vancouver team shared stories about their vigil. They told of one man who drove up and said he can’t pass by without shedding tears. Another visitor thanked them because the prayer presence was responsible for her one-and-a-half-year-old baby not being aborted.
Bremerton, Washington
I concluded my tour of Western Washington with a stop in Bremerton — a great visit with another very determined team of volunteers. Participation in this campaign, I was told, is especially strong this year.
At one of my stops — I won’t say which one to respect her privacy — a woman spoke to me. She talked about how much 40 Days for Life means to her, but couldn’t help but wonder. If people had been there praying years ago, she might not have had her abortion.
Please keep praying — your presence does make a difference!
Thanks to Steve Karlen for today’s update!
Devotional for Day 14, March 18, 2014
Rev. John Ensor, President, PassionLife
Intention: Pray for the mothers going into preg- nancy help centers. The personal care, the free ultrasound, the ongoing practi- cal 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 .” he 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.