Devotional for Day 14, March 18, 2014
Rev. John Ensor, President, PassionLife
Intention: Pray for the mothers going into preg- nancy help centers. The personal care, the free ultrasound, the ongoing practi- cal help is designed to deliver them from those who profit in shedding innocent blood.
Scripture: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. —Matthew 11:28
Reflection: “You have twins. That will be another .” he did not speak English. but she finally understood that they were telling her to go get more money and return for her abortion. She had already given them her rent money. But they were not about to give her a two-for-one deal. They told her to get dressed and return with more cash. A couple, who was praying outside, comforted her. They brought her to their local pregnancy help center. The staff quickly saw that her personal circumstances were so desperate, and immediate, that they would need direct
and ongoing help from local Christians and churches. They started making calls. Then they did the ultrasound. It showed there was only one baby, not two. This abandoned, immigrant, powerless mother was being exploited. She would do whatever she was told. Who would know? Who would care? God calls us to “Rescue the weak and the needy; and deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:4). When you provide an alternative to abortion you are not only rescuing innocent babies, you are delivering mothers from the wicked: those who profit in the shedding of innocent blood. Pray for those who rescue and deliver daily at your local pregnancy help center.
Prayer: Father, hear our prayer! Snatch desperate mothers from the fire. Bring them out of our abortion businesses and into our pregnancy help centers. Deliver them from evil. Use us to help them chose life and see your hand of provision.
Leading a 40 Days for Life campaign is hard. It takes courage, time and sacrifice. In every campaign, we see new leaders in new places take a leap of faith and bring this effort to their city — or country!
The Holy Spirit has taken 40 Days for Life to many new countries. Today, we highlight one of the two first-time campaigns in New Zealand, where 40 Days for Life is brand new, plus a campaign in Canada where there’s an additional international connection.
Wellington, New Zealand
The first 40 Days for Life vigil in New Zealand’s capital city is taking place in front of Wellington Regional Hospital. “I’m amazed how people are stepping up and praying to cover the full 12 hours,” said Clare, the local director in Wellington.
“We’ve had some encouragement and good things happening on the street,” she said. “Some people have queried what we are doing and then ended up praying with us.”
A couple traveling on a cruise ship were moored in Wellington just for one day – but they went to pray at the vigil. “What better way to spend our time in Wellington!” they said.
Oakville, Ontario
Oakville is taking part in its seventh 40 Days for Life campaign, starting with what Louise, the local coordinator, called an “inspirational experience” – a candlelight kickoff with Bishop Douglas Crosby.
The Oakville vigil included a group of volunteers praying in Croatian! Last week, we looked at the first 40 Days for Life campaign in Zagreb, Croatia. That campaign heard about the Croatians in Canada – and the picture of the Oakville vigil is now posted on the Zagreb team’s Facebook page!
Louise shared a note from a vigil participant, who was “overjoyed to witness so many faith-filled young adults, bearing the cold and praying together.” He said all those praying at the vigil set a great example. “Hopefully, it inspires and energizes others, as it did me!”