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TExTING!

Read this great idea in Shawn’s email for today and make similar signs for your area!

Nothing is more powerful in saving lives than prayer
and fasting. But in addition to that, 40 Days for Life
campaigns are adding something else — texting!

Of the thousands of moms that have chosen life during
these campaigns, some have actually sent text messages
to the volunteers outside the abortion center, telling
them of their last-minute decisions to keep their
babies — and thanking them for being there.

I just got a note about how at least one 40 Days for
Life location is using text messaging BEFORE women
even enter the abortion facility to help save lives
... and frustrate Planned Parenthood.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

Many Planned Parenthood abortion centers force clients
to turn off their phones because the phones supposedly
interfere with their equipment. Eileen in Indianapolis
says it’s more likely that the phones interfere with
their business.

“Perhaps it’s because they might communicate with
someone,” Eileen said, “who might persuade them to
leave and not have an abortion.”

Prayer volunteers are now holding a sign next to
Planned Parenthood’s driveway that says, “Pregnant?
Confused? Txt choice” — and it shows a text number.
A woman who texts to that number will be put in touch
with a counselor.

There’s also a code on the sign that a smart phone
can read. The code leads to a web page that gives
information on contacting a counselor.

“Thank God for wonderful volunteers and creative ways
to continue our ministry,” Eileen said. “We are trying
to be as wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove.”

EASTON, MARYLAND

Bobbie is helping to coordinate Easton’s first 40 Days
for Life campaign. Her efforts must be working. A
Planned Parenthood staffer came out to the sidewalk
to tell her to go home.

“I calmly explained what we were doing and that we
had permission to assemble through November 4,”
Bobbie said. The staff member insisted that they
don’t do abortions at that location.

“But, you do refer [for abortion] and we are praying
for you and the staff, the clients and babies,”
Bobbie responded. The woman said she needed no prayer
and marched off. “So I quietly prayed for her!”

The campaign hasn’t been easy. “We are struggling,”
she said, “but the benefits and results of the vigil
are amazing.”

HOUSTON, TEXAS

It was a rainy day in Houston, but the sidewalk
outside Planned Parenthood was filled with people
praying. The inconvenient weather did not deter them.
But it did seem to have a big impact on Planned
Parenthood’s escorts.

Around 8:30 that rainy morning, the escorts got in
their cars and left — and did not return. In fact,
the escorts just haven’t been around much — “the
first time in the twelve campaigns we have organized
in Houston that they have not opposed us with escorts,”
said a 40 Days for Life team member.

The Houston team also tells of a woman who talked to
volunteers after her Planned Parenthood appointment.
Her pregnancy test was positive. But after she told
the Planned Parenthood staff she wasn’t interested
in an abortion, she was told they couldn’t help her.

“That surprised her,” said a 40 Days for Life leader,
“but not us.”

One of the volunteers in Houston has posted a video
showing some of the people standing vigil outside the
Planned Parenthood building, which is one of the
largest abortion centers in North America.

To see the video, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3353

Last night it was my computer that was slow. So here is today's devotional.

Day 10 - October 5

Intention:

Pray for your local pregnancy help center: for those who answer calls from women considering abortion, those who provide ultrasounds, and those who personally help mothers prepare to parent or place for adoption.

Scripture:

Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

--Psalm 82:4

Reflection:

When a woman arrives at her local pregnancy help center, the hard work of "rescuing the weak" begins. They listen to her. What desperate circumstance is driving her? They act. A professional ultrasound and medical care is provided. They pray, "God use us." Then, they take up her burdens and work towards life. It is cross-bearing for the child-bearing.

Recently, I prayed for one volunteer who was working with one mother in her struggle. Here is what "rescue the weak" looked like in this one case:

Aug 3: She made an appoint-ment for Thursday to get an abortion and while she feels terrible about it, she also feels like she has no choice. Pray that her heart is changed!
Aug 10: She is 12 weeks along but missed her appointment. She had some good conversa-tions with people at the preg-nancy center. She is now considering adoption.
Aug 13: Things are down again. She now has an abortion scheduled for Monday. Pray!
Aug 17: Missed appointment! God is working in her life.
Sept 1: We've hit another rocky period. She has an abortion scheduled for tomorrow. She found out today that her parents are planning a trip to visit her and she is panicking.
Sept 15: Missed third appointment. But feels like she has no choice. Please pray today.
Sept 20: She fears her parents but has agreed to another ultrasound (a breakthrough).
Sept 22: I was there with her for her ultrasound. She saw her baby moving and made the realization that she wants to carry her baby.

Please keep praying against attack by the enemy. We are overwhelmed by seeing God's hand move in this situation and are so very thankful for the prayers lifted up by each one of you. God is good!

Prayer:

Father, we praise you for this one sister who gave herself, heart and soul, to rescue this one mother and baby. O may you empower the hundreds more today who are serving in our pregnancy help centers. Grant those answering calls, providing ultrasound and following up with a bold spirit of truth, love and perseverance.

Rev. John Ensor
Vice President, Heartbeat International