Replies

This week marked the beginning of 40 Days for Life
vigils in many places. But one particular location
has inspired many.

Five years ago, I couldn’t have predicted 40 Days for
Life going beyond the United States. But it did!

Even as God has taken this campaign to other
countries, I would have never imagined that Moscow
would ever launch 40 Days for Life. But on Wednesday
of this week, that’s exactly what happened.

The international reach of 40 Days for Life keeps
growing, with 24 locations outside the United States
this time, including the first-ever sites in Wales,
Nigeria and South Africa in addition to Russia.

There are 261 locations in all. So please follow this
link and get involved in the closest campaign:

http://40daysforlife.com/location

Here’s a look at just a few of the countries hosting
40 Days for Life.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA

Pastors and their congregations from seven different
churches in Moscow have each agreed to take one day
a week to pray at the vigil. They’ve also opened up
their churches for people who wish to pray.

“I see a great grace for this campaign,” said Arevik,
the campaign coordinator. “I have met a lot of young
and talented persons from my church whom I didn’t
know before. They are writing about abortion ... and
care about human life.”

According to a report released recently, the number
of abortions in Russia exceeds the number of births.

“It is so painful to hear from women that had abortions
before they met Jesus,” Arevik said. “Russia needs to
be healed from this spiritual disease.”

Please keep this campaign — and this entire nation —
in your prayers these next 40 days.

AUSTRALIA

There are seven 40 Days for Life campaigns in progress
in Australia (where it is currently summertime),
stretching from coast to coast. It may be halfway
around the world from the United States, but the
problems are the same ... and so are the answers.

“I have been moved by the prayerfulness and commitment
of the hundreds of people involved giving witness to
Christ’s love, with many being young adults,” said
Bishop Julian Porteous of Sydney, one of many
Australian religious leaders commending the 40 Days
for Life mission.

“In light of the rising attacks on life, faith and
family,” he said, “this loving witness is needed
all the more.”

The Australian team has produced an excellent video.
I really recommend that you take a look! The message
applies ... wherever you’re praying and fasting for
an end to abortion.

To see the video from Australia, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3926

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

“The first day in Cape Town was exciting and long,”
said Colette, the local coordinator. “This morning
there were lots of teenagers going to school and
taking pamphlets and asking questions. We got a
very positive response from the community.”

The prayer volunteers did receive a few negative
comments, but Colette said it was nothing to
worry about.

“We have stood at this abortion centre before,”
she said, “but what I have noticed today was that
the number of clients has declined.” On this
particular day at the Marie Stopes facility, there
were only four clients.

“The clinic got very upset with us and wanted us
to move,” Colette said, “but we had a permit with
us that stated we will be there till 24 March.”

To see a photo of the vigil in Cape Town, go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3926

Rev. John Brown, Director, United Friends for Life (United Church of Christ)

Intention:

May God’s justice sober our society;

may mercy triumph over judgment.

Scripture:

Surely for your lifeblood I will demand

a reckoning; from the hand of every

beast I will require it, and from the

hand of man. From the hand of every

man's brother I will require the life of

man. Whoever sheds man's blood, by

man his blood shall be shed; for in the

image of God He made man.

—Genesis 9:5-6

Reflection:

The value of every human being can

hardly be seen more clearly than with

this verse. God, the King of the universe,

has created all human beings in

his image, and declares forthrightly

that shedding the blood of any individual

will require the blood of the one

who shed it.

God's concern for human beings is not

limited to any particular group. Indeed,

his concern is universal, and includes

male and female, young and old,

born and unborn, disabled and ablebodied,

the citizens of every nation on

earth.

Abortion, the deliberate killing of the

unborn, is the shedding of innocent

blood. Surely the blood of millions upon

millions of innocent children cries

out to God. It is true that we live in an

age of grace, and yet this passage

(among many other texts which express

similar sentiments) should give

every thinking Christian pause.

Christians of all people, entrusted with

the Word of God as we are, must take a

stand. We must speak out. We must do

all that we can to protect the innocent,

to pursue justice, and to encourage the

repentance of all those who bear responsibility

for this great evil.

Only in this manner can we hope to

forestall the judgment that must otherwise

surely come.

This passage should also be seen as an

encouragement to educate and disciple

our children and grandchildren about

what it means to be human, and the responsibility

that will become theirs in

this ongoing struggle.

Prayer:

O Father, forgive us for our lack of

courage and our want of compassion

for the unborn and for those lost and

hurt by abortion. Fill us anew with

your Spirit.

Renew our minds, strengthen us in

righteousness, help us be people of salt

and light within our nation.

May every human being, from conception

to natural death, be treated with

the respect due those made in your image.

We ask this in the name of Jesus

Christ. Amen.