Dear Deacon,
There's no better way to put it. As far as the abortion
centers are concerned, 40 Days for Life is just bad for
business.
While this is not the main reason that we pray outside
abortion facilities, it does show that when women
choose life, it affects the one thing the abortion
industry really cares about -- money!
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AUGUSTA, MAINE
-------------------------------------------------------
"Three years ago, when we did our first 40 Days for Life
prayer vigil," said Janet in Augusta, "Family Planning
Association of Maine hung a banner with a comic strip
type character with the words 'defend the truth.'"
This facility has used a high-profile (but ineffective)
program called "pledge-a-picket." The idea is to get
pro-abortion donors to pledge a certain amount of money
for each person praying outside the building.
Recently, she said, they spent big money on a new
surveillance system. "They've focused some of their
resources on us. We are costing them money."
The Augusta campaign was featured this week on WABI-TV
in Maine.
The reporter interviewed a spokeswoman for the abortion
center, who complained of demonstrators "harassing" their
clients. The video then showed a couple of volunteers
against a background of snow -- bundled up on a cold
Maine day -- quietly praying for an end to abortion.
For a link to the WABI-TV news story and a picture from
their report, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1570
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SYRACUSE, NEW YORK
-------------------------------------------------------
A record crowd of 120 turned out for the kickoff of the
fifth 40 Days for Life campaign in Syracuse.
Coordinators noted that the Planned Parenthood facility
in Syracuse was the first freestanding abortion center
in the United States.
It opened for business on July 2, 1970 -- 40 years ago
(abortion was legal in New York prior to the 1973
Roe v. Wade ruling).
"We are thrilled to be here and do God's work and
bring His light and love and mercy to this darkest
corner of our city," Jeannie, one of the coordinators,
told the crowd.
"We're uniting in prayer and fasting with 247 cities,"
she said. "That's tens of thousands of people praying
and fasting. And we're expectant that God will do great
things for us."
To see photos of the 40 Days for Life kickoff in
Syracuse, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1570
Saturdays are often "procedure days" at abortion centers.
In plain English, that means Saturday is the deadliest
day of the week for innocent unborn children.
Please consider joining a 40 Days for Life vigil today.
Who knows? Your prayers may help save a baby.
All you have to do is show up and pray. God will handle
the rest!
To find the nearest 40 Days for Life campaign, please
go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of
the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
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DAY 4 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------
Pray that we each will daily put on the full armor
of God, so that we are strong in the Lord and the
power of His might.
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SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual
hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand.
-- Ephesians 6:12-13
------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
------------------------------------------------------
I am confounded to see how the battle over the issue
of life is perceived more often in churches today as
political rather than spiritual.
Ironically, the enemy has used this twisted perception
to silence many in the body of Christ.
We must see the battle for what it is and we must
daily "put on" the armor God has given us:
>> Gird your waist with Truth (vs. 14) -- Commit your
emotions to believe truth and to speak truth,
regardless of the repercussions.
>> Put on the breastplate of Righteousness (vs. 14) --
It will protect our hearts -- the innermost springs of
our beings -- from all unrighteousness so evident in
this fallen world.
>> Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel
of Peace. (vs. 15) -- Preparation is vital if we are
to be effective in God's work.
>> Taking the shield of faith (vs.16) -- The Accuser
will instill doubt, fear, and guilt. Faith acts as an
invisible shield that deflects such false accusations.
>> Taking the Helmet of salvation (vs.17) -- A helmet
protects the head, the brain and in turn our mind and
thoughts. Satan hopes we will set aside divine
revelation for human reasoning.
>> Taking the sword of the Spirit (vs.17) -- The Word
of God, the only offensive weapon in this armor, was
used by the Lord Jesus against Satan. The living Word
is powerful and effective.
Our armor is complete. We are ready to wage war, and
the next verse tells us how, "Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the spirit." (vs.18)
------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------
Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual battle of
abortion may we be reminded that the battle is truly
Yours. Thank you for hearing our requests for
direction and protection. Thank you for the victory
that is ours because of Your Son Jesus, Amen.
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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2011day04print.pdf
------------------------------
Deacon - let's press on with the truth!
For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: Even as we pray and stand for innocent life during
this 40 Days for Life, please also pray for those
affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan which
caused devastating loss of life -- that they may have
God's strength in the difficult days ahead.
PPS: As always, if you have a story to share about the
blessings of 40 Days for Life, please post a reply at
the bottom of today's blog entry at:
40 Days for Life
10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
