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Day 38 - March 30

Intention:

Pray that we become vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement.

Scripture:

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"

-- Luke 24:1-5

Reflection:

This meditation, based on a sermon I once heard, is adapted for pro-life concerns.

It's Friday. Jesus is on the cross. He has been killed by his enemies; he is off the scene. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday. Abortionists continue their work 3,300 times a day, tearing off the arms and legs of little babies and crushing their heads. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'! It's Friday. Pro-abortion groups receive blood money from billionaires who are as deceived as they are. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday. Liars attempt to speak for all women and hide the pain of abortion, and ignore the evidence of how it harms women, and call abortion a blessing. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'! It's Friday. People of hardened hearts guard the clinics and usher desperate women in to have their abortions, while keeping them from the pro-life people who want to give them hope. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the whole picture, which is that evil is conquered because of what happened one Sunday morning. The power of sin and death has been broken by the Resurrection of Christ. We are called to proclaim, celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful hope for Christ's return and the full flowering of the Culture of Life! Indeed, Sunday's comin'!

Prayer:

Lord, fill your people with new hope. Make us vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement, that as we engage in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody can take away from us. We ask this through Christ our Lord, amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life and President, National Pro-life Religious Council

have two stories to share today, both about the
results of praying in front of an abortion center
during the 40 Days for Life campaign. But first —
a special prayer request.

LONDON, ENGLAND

The London 40 Days for Life team will pray tonight
outside the BPAS abortion facility. BPAS is the
British equivalent of Planned Parenthood ... and they
are NOT happy about 40 Days for Life!

Bishop Alan Hopes and other clergy will lead an hour
of prayer for an increased respect for life in the UK.

It is certainly needed ...

... several facilities are under investigation for
doing illegal sex-selection abortions, and abortion
providers have just been granted permission to
advertise on television.

But vigil participants will not be alone. Pro-abortion
forces plan a “noisy” counter-demonstration.

Since 40 Days for Life began, BPAS has been rallying
the media and others to attack the London campaign at
an unprecedented level. One BPAS spokesman even told
the media there was “no moral justification” for Bishop
Hopes to get involved!

A pro-abortion advocate said, “Their protest (meaning
40 Days for Life) should be banned.”

The good news, of course, is that this shows the
campaign is working!

PLEASE keep the London campaign in your prayers,
especially during this event. The vigil (and the
counter-protest) begins at 7 pm London time. That’s
2 pm Eastern, 11 am Pacific in North America.

40 Days for Life’s national director, David Bereit,
and I visited England just before the start of the
campaign and met a dedicated group of prayerful
volunteers. Have you seen the video of that visit?
You can watch it by going to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3109

GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND

Andrew, the coordinator of the 40 Days for Life
campaign in Germantown, writes of women who have
decided against abortion — including one who found
out it would be a two-day procedure. “She left and
did not come back,” he said.

Infamous abortionist Leroy Carhart travels to
Germantown every week to perform late-term abortions.
But there have been two weeks during this campaign
that Carhart never arrived — meaning no abortions
for those weeks.

“God is continuing to answer our prayers,” Andrew said.
“We are making a difference. Germantown is continuing
to take notice of our constant presence. Please come
out and pray.”

For a picture of a candlelight vigil at the Germantown
site, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3109

STERLING HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN

Mary said she was about halfway through her prayer time
at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Sterling Heights when
a small car pulled up and parked. A young woman got out
and asked Mary if she knew Sue.

The woman explained that three years ago, she had met
Sue, who was praying in about that same spot.

The young woman had come for an abortion. She was
pregnant and she was about to be evicted from her home.
Quite simply, she didn’t know what to do. After talking
to Sue, however, “I had my baby — my son. Come see!
He’s in the car.”

“I met her beautiful, boisterous, all-boy, 3-year-old!”
Mary said. The young mom’s life is back on track. “She
said she’s doing well now, has her own place, and the
boy’s dad is active in his son’s life.”

Mary said this woman just wanted to tell everyone how
important this work and your prayers have been.

“Praise the Lord!” Mary said. “He always knows when I’m
getting a bit discouraged. I always read the stories on
the national 40 Days for Life site and think, ‘WOW!’
Well, today I had my WOW moment.”

To see some photos from the Sterling Heights vigil,
please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3109