DAY 10: We didn't give up

Dear Deacon,

Abortion thrives on despair.

The despair of women often leads them to believe that
abortion is their only solution. The despair of clinic
workers helps convince them they are doing a good thing
and trying to help women. Even the despair of the
Christian may lead to the hopelessness of believing
that abortion will never end.

Well, in 247 cities right now, your prayer presence
is crushing despair and bringing hope!

The constant theme of all the stories that I hear from
local 40 Days for Life teams is that we should never,
never, NEVER give up!

Even if the situation appears hopeless, God is always
listening.

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GRANITE CITY, ILLINOIS
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A young woman got out of a car that had a Christian
fish pin on it ... determined to keep her abortion
appointment at the facility where the 40 Days for Life
vigil is taking place.

A counselor tried to talk to her, but she just offered
a crude gesture, hissed at the prayer volunteers and
walked in.

"We didn't give up," said Angela, the local 40 Days
for life coordinator. "We kept praying."

An hour later, she came out to smoke a cigarette and
saw members of a Bound 4 Life youth group who were
praying at the vigil.

"What are they doing?" the young woman asked.

Angela answered, "They are praying for your baby."
The young woman flipped her cigarette towards Angela
and went back inside.

Another hour passed -- another hour of constant prayer,
particularly for this young women.

She then came out again and literally ran -- weeping --
into the arms of the youth group members.

"Thank you for being here!" she cried.

"I didn't do it!"

Then the full story came out. Her father was pressuring
her to abort -- even though, she said, he claimed to be
a Christian. Her mother said she would not help raise
another baby as she already had a 3-year-old at home.

The young woman feared her father would put her and her
child out on the streets for not going through with the
abortion.

"We told her of our resources and how we could help her
to find shelter and get back on her feet," Angela said.
"She hugged us again and thanked the group for being
there."

To see a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Granite
City, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1678

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HELENA, MONTANA
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One of the Helena 40 Days for Life volunteers tells of
a young woman considering abortion. Fortunately, this
young woman's co-worker realized there was an
opportunity to minister to her.

The co-worker invited her to the 40 Days for Life
kickoff -- which she attended.  At the kick-off event,
she picked up a card for a local clinic pregnancy
resource center and gave the people there a call.

"We're told that she received an ultrasound and made
the decision to keep the baby," said Ben in Helena.
"We will continue to check in on her and provide
assistance as needed."

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NORTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
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Two people were praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil
when they were politely interrupted by a woman who
wanted to give them cookies -- cookies that her daughter
was selling for her scout group.

"I know you probably think you can't make a difference,
just standing on a street corner praying about abortion,"
she said, "but I'm here to tell you, you can!"

Ten years ago, the woman had an abortion scheduled.
But when she arrived, "two people just like you were
praying quietly on the street corner outside. Because
of them, I didn't go through with it. Today I have a
beautiful daughter who's alive because of those people
who chose to pray."

What more can I say? Please keep praying!

Today's devotional is from Georgette Forney of
Anglicans for Life ...

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DAY 10 INTENTION
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May those who hold life as trivial realize that we
live because God wills it so.

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SCRIPTURE
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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

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REFLECTION by Georgette Forney, Anglicans for Life
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Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and
tribulation. He had everything 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, regardless of the circumstances.

In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth;
every life is made and allowed 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.

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PRAYER
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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 bestow freely. In
the name of Jesus, Amen.

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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
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To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2011day10print.pdf

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Please pray for a change of heart for all those who
work or volunteer for abortion facilities, their
financial supporters and political advocates, and
their customers.

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

PS: What's the latest news about 40 Days for Life in
your community? If you have stories to tell, please
respond on today's blog entry at:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1678

 40 Days for Life

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