Dear Deacon,
Obedience is easy when life is going well.
It's a hindrance when it goes against what we want or
when all comfort is removed. Still nothing is more
freeing or liberating than obedience because it always
points us to God's love.
Today's prayer intention is, "That God will bless us
with His gift of strength as we respond in obedience
to His call."
As the final two weeks of this 40 Days for Life campaign
approach, I wanted to share stories about a couple of
people, who despite the obstacles, are responding to
God's call.
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THE BRONX, NEW YORK
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Please keep our friend Chris Slattery in your prayers.
In addition to coordinating 40 Days for Life in New York
City, Chris directs the EMC Frontline chain of pro-life
pregnancy resource centers.
Recently, burglars broke into EMC's South Bronx clinic
-- a center that’s right across the street from a
Planned Parenthood office. Chris says the EMC clinic
was virtually destroyed.
"The rampage of these heartless criminals shattered
windows, stole all of our audio visual equipment,
destroyed displays and supplies, tore up the ceiling,
doors, and floor," Chris told Life Site News. "They
even broke into our supply closet and stole our Pampers."
He suspects the burglars were drug addicts looking for
quick cash.
Meanwhile, the work goes on. One of the EMC Frontline
bloggers wrote about taking part in 40 Days for Life
for the first time.
"The opportunity for prayer is astounding in helping
the effectiveness of my work throughout the rest of my
week," she wrote." It fuels the passion and the drive
necessary to reach the women I work with every day.
Community outreach has truly been the most visibly
fruitful."
To see a photo from 40 Days for Life in New York City,
please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1882
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LA PUENTE, CALIFORNIA
-------------------------------------------------------
While a 40 Days for Life volunteer was praying with her
daughter at the vigil in La Puente, a young mom came by
"with the most gorgeous baby," said one volunteer.
The volunteer asked the mother if this was her first
child. At first, she didn’t answer. She just started
to cry.
Prior to this child's arrival, she said, she had an
abortion. "It took me eight years wanting another child.
But I wasn't able to conceive. Then one day, I passed by
the abortion clinic and noticed the 40 Days for Life
campaign. I told my elder sons, 'We're going to pray.'
A few months later, I was expecting my third child."
The young mom's family would tell her, "Be quiet! You
can never talk about your abortion!" But now, she says,
"After eight years I will no longer keep quiet. Although
I didn't save my baby, I can help save the lives of
babies to come."
For a couple of pictures of 40 Days for Life in
La Puente, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1882
------------------------------ -------------------------
PORTLAND, OREGON
-------------------------------------------------------
I know I've mentioned families praying at the 40 Days
for Life vigil a couple of times already during this
campaign. But every time I do, I get e-mail affirming
the great blessings that children bring to the sidewalk,
and I get pictures of families in action outside the
abortion centers.
Therese in Portland sent a great photo of a family that
prays together often at their vigil. There are nine
children in the family. Not all of them are able to
come on every family visit, but Therese says there are
usually at least seven, all carrying their custom-made
signs. She describes them as "a family of love."
To see a photo of these children and their messages at
40 Days for Life in Portland, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1882
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of
the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
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DAY 25 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------
Pray that God will bless us with His gift of strength
as we respond in obedience to His call.
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SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------
Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold
back those stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, "surely we did not know this," does not He
who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your
soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man according to his
deeds?
-- Proverbs 24:11-12
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REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
------------------------------------------------------
In this age of technologically advanced communication,
ignorance of human rights abuses is no excuse.
We know there are persecuted Christians in China,
there is genocide in Darfur, and there are babies
aborted and women and families devastated right in our
own communities.
"But I can't save them all," you say.
God isn't asking you to. He has equipped each of us
with time, talent, and treasure to do what we can when
He provides the opportunity.
He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us as we
abide in Him. He is asking us to be on His side in
speaking out and protecting those who can't protect
themselves.
When we are obedient to His calling to get in on the
work He is doing, we will experience intimacy with Him
in a whole new way.
Our faith will increase as we see God at work! You
have responded to His call during this 40 Days for
Life campaign.
Let your efforts be for His pleasure and His purposes.
Pray without ceasing!
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PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------
God Almighty, we pray for continued guidance and
strength as we intercede on behalf of the young women
and their babies who are stumbling to the slaughter.
Open the eyes of the mother's heart to see her child
as you do -- a precious gift to be treasured.
Let her feel Your loving arms around her and may she
be assured that you have a plan and a future for her
and her child.
Give her reason not to enter the abortion clinic.
Give her wisdom and discernment to find life options
through a local pregnancy care center and may she
boldly choose life.
Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayer. Because of
Your Son's sacrifice we pray, 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/spring2011day25print.pdf
------------------------------
Yours for Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: How has your community been blessed during 40 Days
for Life? Please let me know! You may share your reply
by responding to today's blog entry at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1882
40 Days for Life
10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
