Leading a 40 Days for Life campaign is hard. It takes courage, time and sacrifice. In every campaign, we see new leaders in new places take a leap of faith and bring this effort to their city — or country!
The Holy Spirit has taken 40 Days for Life to many new countries. Today, we highlight one of the two first-time campaigns in New Zealand, where 40 Days for Life is brand new, plus a campaign in Canada where there’s an additional international connection.
Wellington, New Zealand
The first 40 Days for Life vigil in New Zealand’s capital city is taking place in front of Wellington Regional Hospital. “I’m amazed how people are stepping up and praying to cover the full 12 hours,” said Clare, the local director in Wellington.
“We’ve had some encouragement and good things happening on the street,” she said. “Some people have queried what we are doing and then ended up praying with us.”
A couple traveling on a cruise ship were moored in Wellington just for one day – but they went to pray at the vigil. “What better way to spend our time in Wellington!” they said.
Oakville, Ontario
Oakville is taking part in its seventh 40 Days for Life campaign, starting with what Louise, the local coordinator, called an “inspirational experience” – a candlelight kickoff with Bishop Douglas Crosby.
The Oakville vigil included a group of volunteers praying in Croatian! Last week, we looked at the first 40 Days for Life campaign in Zagreb, Croatia. That campaign heard about the Croatians in Canada – and the picture of the Oakville vigil is now posted on the Zagreb team’s Facebook page!
Louise shared a note from a vigil participant, who was “overjoyed to witness so many faith-filled young adults, bearing the cold and praying together.” He said all those praying at the vigil set a great example. “Hopefully, it inspires and energizes others, as it did me!”
Devotional for Day 15, March 19, 2014
Carmen Pate, Alliance Ministries
Intention: Pray that we will not become defeated by the enemy’s attacks but rather call on the name of the Lord who is on our side and our help in time of trouble.
Scripture: What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. — Psalm 124:2,3,6,8
Reflection: The enemy attacks in many ways, but one of his favorites is to slander us with hopes of tarnishing our reputation and character, and ultimately to defeat our good work for the Lord. It is interesting to note however that it is usually not the slander that causes harm to our testimony, but our response to the slander. Proverbs 24:10 says, “If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small.” If we are applying God’s truths to our lives moment by moment, we are not swayed by the lies of the enemy and we will be strong. Standing on the front lines, armed with God’s truth, places you in the battlefield for the mind.
As you are prepared to present words of love, for the sake of the unborn and for the distraught and confused women and men who are entering the abortion facilities, know that the enemy has prepared his forces to attack your mind. Unkind words from a protester, or vicious lies in the local paper about who you are and what your mission is, can indeed be hurtful. But rather than give in to defeat, that is the time to shine for the Lord, standing firm, as you call on Him to defeat the enemy. Remember the words of Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Let’s stand strong for those who need us most.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to ignore the verbal attacks of the enemy and instead turn to You, our refuge and strength. Help us to find shelter in the blessed promises and provisions of Your Word. Thank you that no enemy can defeat us, and we praise You knowing that nothing can separate us from Your love. In the name of Jesus, we come to You, amen.