Dear Deacon,
Just two days into the largest 40 Days for Life campaign
ever and we've seen record crowds at kickoff events
across the United States -- and beyond!
A posting in the 40 Days for Life blog by Nancy really
says it all: "Prayers are the best weapon we have to
fight the evil of abortion."
Amen!!!
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VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
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I just got back from a GREAT 40 Days for Life kickoff
rally in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
They held their event in front of the Planned Parenthood
facility, which is getting ready to expand its abortion
capabilities. Please keep the Virginia Beach volunteers
in your prayers!
While I was there, the local ABC affiliate came out to
interview Marcia, the local coordinator.
To see a couple of pictures from Virginia Beach -- a
photo of me and some of the local team members and a
view of the kickoff rally -- please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1543
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SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND
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David Bereit, the national director of 40 Days for Life,
helped get the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign in
Silver Spring, Maryland off to a great start. It was an
exciting night for this Washington, DC suburb.
For a look at the Silver Spring kickoff -- there's a
photo of David speaking to the group and another one
of volunteers signing up for the vigil -- please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1543
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LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
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The 40 Days for Life team in Lafayette, Indiana also
had a great turnout for their opening.
This campaign also marks the first 40 Days for Life
effort in Lafayette. As is the case in Virginia Beach
and Silver Spring, their vigil is also being held
outside a Planned Parenthood facility.
Members of the clergy from various local churches took
part in the kickoff event, which featured a prayer
gathering followed by a procession to the vigil site.
To see photos of Lafayette's prayer volunteers
marching to Planned Parenthood, and then praying
peacefully outside that location, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1543
As this 40 Days for Life campaign is just getting
started, there's still plenty of time for you to join
in -- and to spread the word to everyone you know.
Here's that link to the listing of 40 Days for Life
locations:
http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm
Look for the city closest to you, click on the name --
and let the local team know you’re ready to help.
Another blog comment reminds me that the Lord will
respond to your willingness to stand up for the
innocent.
"God is listening," wrote Bernadette. "He will answer!"
Today's devotional was prepared for you by Kevin
Burke, executive director of Rachel's Vineyard
ministries.
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DAY 2 INTENTION
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May the King of the Universe, who entered this world
as a helpless infant, give us the humility to be
healed.
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SCRIPTURE
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My power is made perfect in weakness.
-- 2 Corinthians 12:9
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REFLECTION
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The great mystery of the Humility of God is very near
and dear to the mission of those serving in pro life
and in a special way, post abortion ministries across
this nation.
For those wounded by their participation in abortion,
the door to healing often feels like crossing an abyss
of great fear: fear of judgment, fear of being torn
apart by the pain, by self hatred and rage at those
who hurt and abandoned you, and manipulated you in
your time of temptation.
For men in particular, entering the unknown waters of
emotional vulnerability, so necessary to healing calls
for a different kind of courage that feels deceptively
like weakness.
The door to healing is humility.
It is born in the inability to no longer control the
pain, to live with the consequences of that tragic
decision to reject life. The hearts cries out, "I have
committed a grave offense against my Creator and I am
consumed by regret, grief and sorrow!"
During these forty days let us pray for all who have
participated in abortion and with love call them to
healing and reconciliation. With healing these women
and men can become as John Paul II proclaimed in the
Gospel of Life, "the most eloquent defenders of
everyone's right to life."
Jesus proclaimed, "I am the Vine, you are the
branches" (John 15:5). To bear the greatest fruit, the
branches must be pruned. Each level of pruning of the
vine requires a deeper level of humility so that we
can abandon ourselves to His will.
This is not a lofty theological concept as much as it
is an earthy experience of pulling weeds, tilling
rocky soil, pruning and healing the vines. "If a man
wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self,
take up his cross, and begin to follow in my
footsteps" (Matthew 16:24).
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PRAYER
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Lord, during these forty days, we ask that with each
day of this sacred vigil, everything in us that
separates us from your perfect will would be pruned
from our hearts and souls.
In this blessed freedom may we experience a powerful
anointing of your Holy Spirit. Filled with confidence
and trust may we proclaim with the mother of Jesus,
"Let it be done to me, according to your Word."
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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/spring2011day02print.pdf
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For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
40 Days for Life
10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
