Devotional for Day 10, March 14, 2014
Georgette Forney, Anglicans for Life
Intention: May those who hold life as trivial real- ize that we live because God wills it so.
Scripture: Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. — Job 12:9-10
Reflection: Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and tribulation. He had every- thing taken from him, including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule and judgment from his friends. Everyone gave him advice about his situation, questioning his spirituality and his God. Job’s circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why? Because “the hand of the Lord has made all life.” Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and purpose, regard- less of the circumstances. In our present culture, we’ve lost that basic truth; every life is made and al- lowed to live by God’s sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging our dependence on God. From our creation, when we were knit together in our mother’s womb to our last breath, God’s word is clear that “in
His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” It’s time for us as individuals, and as a society, to recognize that we exist by God’s grace and turn back to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why? Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting desperately. Job’s response should be ours as well. Regardless of what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom and mercy will redeem it. How do I know? Job’s friends who doubted God’s sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he does, God restores all that Job had lost. In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.
Prayer: Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life. Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in response to all the blessings you be- stow freely. In the name of Jesus, amen.
We’re rolling into another weekend – and another excellent opportunity to go out to the closest 40 Days for Life vigil!
If you’ve never taken part before, I’d like to officially invite you to do so. Yes, it does involve stepping out of your comfort zone and overcoming the natural fear of doing something different. But it’s stepping out in faith! You can do it!
Check for the location of the nearest 40 Days for Life campaign and pray for an end to abortion!
Here are some stories from just a few of the 253 communities taking part.
Mobile, Alabama
Abortions are done on Fridays at the Planned Parenthood facility in Mobile. “So we have scheduled a prayer service led by a different local church each Friday during 40 Days for Life,” said Dan, the local coordinator.
The photo shows the first of this series of Friday services, a Mass that was offered on the sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood.
“We have had a good start to the campaign,” Dan said. “We have three saves reported that we know of.”
Brighton, Michigan
“Sixteen of us were at the vigil today,” said Janelle, who came with other members of her church to pray at the 40 Days for Life location in Brighton. “God is doing amazing things!”
Tom, the local coordinator in Brighton, was thankful to see Janelle and her friends. They arrived a little late, he said, but understood that “it just took a little longer to get everyone into the Richfield Church van!”
He said the 16 people at the weekday vigil “was a record for sure.” Tom met the group and explained a bit about 40 Days for Life and its history, both internationally at the Planned Parenthood center in Brighton.
Janelle said, “We were blessed to be involved today.” Tom responded, “Ditto Janelle, from all of us in Brighton!”
Cincinnati, Ohio
The Cincinnati campaign held a belated kickoff rally – the first one they scheduled was postponed because of icy weather.
Theresa in Cincinnati said she has often been pleasantly surprised to find 10 or more people who simply decided to come to the sidewalk outside the abortion center to pray.
People walking by are expressing their support, and the team is hearing sometimes months later that lives have been saved. “Let us give thanks and humbly open our eyes and hearts to the graces that are taking place throughout the globe,” Theresa said. “Our presence makes a difference.”