[Salvation]

Devotional for Day 15, October 8, 2014

Rev. Rob Schenck, President, Faith in Action

Intention: May God’s people awaken to the fact that we are our brothers’ keepers.

Scripture: Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” —Genesis 4:8-10

Reflection: “Methinks he doth protest too much ...” The Bible is filled with passages that speak to our obligation to care for our fellow human beings.  From the many commands in the books of Moses enjoining love of family, neighbors and even strangers, to Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, the in- junction to care for others is inescapable. In this account, the guilt-stricken Cain tries to shrug off his obligation to his own kin by dismissing it as an unreasonable duty. A la Shakespeare, though, “methinks he doth protest too much.”    

Cain’s objection doesn’t stem from his sense of proper boundaries of responsibility, but from his own self-centered sense of self-preservation.  Christ said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).  This is the standard of divine love. It required God to sacrifice what was most precious to Him for the temporal and eternal well being of all human- kind (see John 3:16). Though on a much-reduced scale, he expects us to do the same.  Trying to duck our obligation to others is futile. We can’t get away with simply dismissing others, especially the most vulnerable among us: the pre-born, the disabled, the sick and the aged.  As with Cain, God sees and hears their suffering and will call us to account for what we do – or do not do – for them.

Prayer: Father, help us to embrace the fact that we are our “brother’s keeper.” When, due to selfish motives, we try to cast off this responsibility please call to us to account. We would be pleasing to you and to our “brother.” Through the help and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

[Salvation]

Right before the start of the campaign, we reported on a 40 Days for Life effort that has helped delay the opening of a new abortion business in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

 

There is still no abortion center there, and efforts continue to prevent one from opening. Keep praying!

 

We’ve also become aware of two other 40 Days for Life locations where there are encouraging signs that abortions may be coming to an end. More prayers are needed there, as well.

 

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood wants to start doing abortions in a community near the Central Florida resort area – but local Christians have responded with a firm “NO!”

 

Kissimmee, Florida

   

“We have launched our first-ever, 24-hour-a-day 40 Days for Life vigil in front of a brand new 8,000 square foot Planned Parenthood mega center,” said Irma, the local coordinator in Kissimmee. The facility is open, but is not permitted to do abortions.

 

Planned Parenthood secretly bought this building earlier this year. “But before Planned Parenthood opened,” Irma said, “the community expressed their outrage, sadness and dismay.”

 

Regular vigils were held outside the location. People packed city commission meetings to express their concern. And a group of 70 physicians signed a full-page newspaper ad that clearly stated their objections to Planned Parenthood – and their own dedication to preserving life.

 

Since the 40 Days for Life campaign started, people have spent time on the sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood “during daytime and at night, under the sun and yes, also during rainy days,” Irma said.

 

“Night hours are very peaceful, but also full of hope,” she added. “Those of us who have been there have experienced a lot of joy for being able to share our love and prayers to help save our innocent babies.”

 

Buffalo, New York

 

 

Three people were praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil outside the abortion center in Buffalo when a taxi pulled up … and a young couple got out.

 

“The man was carrying a bag that appeared to be a change of clothing,” said one of the volunteers. “As they slowly walked directly in front of us, they read our signs and heard our words of prayer.”

 

The couple made eye contact with the vigil participants. “Their faces were full of emotion, but they continued to walk to the clinic. Just before they turned the corner to enter the clinic, they stopped once again to look back at us. They were very somber, but kept going.”

 

Only a few minutes later, however, the young man and woman walked out of the abortion business. They again looked directly at the people praying on the sidewalk … and kept on walking!

 

“We'll never really know exactly what changed their minds,” said the volunteer. “As they walked away, the man continued to turn around about every ten feet to look back at us. It was as if he was in disbelief of what had almost happened."