Devotional for Day 34, April 7, 2014
Rev. Ben Sheldon, President Emeritus, Presbyterians Pro-life
Intention: We pray for the conversion of abortionists and all abortion advocates.
Scripture: Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. — Isaiah 1:16-17
Reflection: God is just. Inscribed around the inside of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, are the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson: “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.” If the deist, Jefferson, knew in the depths of his being that God is just, how much more ought we Christians to reflect on this profound truth? The justice of God, like his holiness and his pu- rity, encourages us to seek justice for all people. It is the evil deeds and wrong, selfish attitudes of our modern society that have led to the cavalier acceptance of abortion and euthanasia. But, as Jefferson also said, “his justice will not sleep forever.”
God is calling us today to seek justice, to encourage the oppressed, and to de- fend the orphans and widows of our society. It is a noble calling! It is one which every true believer, every God-fearing man and woman, should heed with no hesitation and no reluctance. To follow the God of justice and truth is to stand unequivocally for the right to life of everyone, especially the unborn, the physically disabled, and the terminally ill. God’s word through the prophet Isaiah is as relevant in today’s 21st century world as it was in Isaiah’s 8th century BC world. May God’s grace help us to defend the unborn’s right to life as well as that of the already born.
Prayer: O God, our heavenly Father, give us courage and wisdom as we seek to eradicate the evil in our society. Help us to realize that your divine Spirit alone can change hearts and minds so that all your human creatures may enjoy the fullness of life you intended for them. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
According to one researcher, one in four women will have an abortion by age 25. That makes college campuses a prime target for the abortion industry. But that also offers opportunities for college students to enthusiastically defend life … and help their peers who are considering abortion.
It was in a college town that 40 Days for Life began.
Planned Parenthood saw the 60,000 college students at Texas A&M and a local junior college as a huge market. But as you may know, their facility in College Station, Texas closed its doors forever last summer. So have faith!
Steve Karlen, who also got involved in 40 Days for Life in a college town, has been on the road again … this time in Michigan. Among the places Steve stopped were three areas that are home to large universities.
Here’s Steve’s update.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Given my experience in helping to keep late-term abortion out of a Big Ten university in my hometown of Madison, Wisconsin … I was intrigued by the University of Michigan’s involvement in the abortion industry.
The local leaders in Ann Arbor were horrified by a taxpayer-funded celebration of abortion called “4,000 Years of Choice” – an exhibit that was hosted by the public university.
I also learned that three doctors who are associated with the university perform abortions at the Planned Parenthood facility.
Lansing, Michigan
Participants in Lansing shared the disturbing news that on the Michigan State University campus (technically in East Lansing), there is a club for “future abortion providers.” That’s just ghastly.
The good news is that the abortion facility has been closed for much of the campaign. And when it is open, client numbers are down. Cecilia, the local director, reports a more than 40 percent drop in the number of abortions.
The leaders keep thorough records about this abortion facility, and they’ve asked authorities to investigate reports of possible legal violations. For instance, they’ve heard allegations that the abortion center staff has refused to show clients their ultrasound images. State law says the women are entitled to see them.
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo is also a college town – the home of Western Michigan University. When I visited the 40 Days for Life vigil, we had a nice turnout ... on a very busy street. In fact, it was so busy that I literally had to shout my entire speech at the top of my lungs!
The Planned Parenthood center here had posted an official-looking sign informing their clients that the people on the sidewalk were not their employees. Of course, those are the prayer volunteers.
Clients are also told it’s not safe to stop in the driveway. Of course, the sidewalk next to the driveway just happens to be a very convenient place for the vigil participants to stand, smile and hand out positive pregnancy resource information. I have a feeling their primary concern is something other than safety!
Thanks to Steve Karlen for this update on 40 Days for Life in Michigan!