Dear Deacon, As I've traveled to 40 Days for Life vigils this year,
I've seen more and more priests, pastors and clergy
than ever before! It is VERY encouraging to see our clergy leading by
example -- especially when it can be unpopular. I want to thank all the pastors who've taken the time
to encourage their congregations to pray for an end to
abortion -- and even gone out to the abortion centers
themselves.
-------------------------------------------------------
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
------------------------------------------------------- The Knights of Columbus in Alabama sent along a photo
of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Huntsville. The picture shows Bishop David Foley leading the prayers
-- in the pouring rain -- as he and other participants
huddled under their umbrellas. Bishop Foley said he'd
be back to pray again ... and the Knights are praying
for better weather next time. "Let's keep the momentum going," said Jim, on behalf of
the Knights of Columbus in Alabama, "and continue to
support our clergy as they lead us in peaceful prayer
to save the lives of the most innocent among us -- the
babes in their mothers' wombs -- and help save the
mother from the trauma of abortion!" To see the photo of the Huntsville 40 Days for Life
vigil, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1947 
-------------------------------------------------------
NORTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
------------------------------------------------------- The 40 Days for Life team in North Seattle had some
company recently -- a couple of young men with a sign
that said "Honk 4 Freedom." One of the guys was wearing
an American flag as a cape. Patriots? Well, not exactly. "These men are apparently trying to wrap their message
about the 'freedom' to choose abortion in the good
freedoms of America," said Della, the 40 Days for Life
coordinator. "Many who honked probably did so out of
love of country, not even knowing the men were seeking
support for abortion." Periodically, after a loud series of honks, they would
yell, "Haven't you heard enough? Go home, losers!" "It seems they think our pro-life beliefs are based on
what everyone else thinks," Della said. "They call us
losers because they think we lost the popularity contest." Still, she said, the prayer team's efforts are noticed
and appreciated. A man arrived at the vigil with a jug
of hot coffee and a dozen pastries. "He said he'd been
seeing us there day after day," Della said. "He said he
could not do what we do, but he was thankful we are
there and wanted to encourage us." To see some photos of the North Seattle vigil, please
go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1947 
"Our vigil in North Seattle brings Bible-believing
people of many faiths and religious practices together
to pray at one sad site where abortions occur," said
Della. "We are individuals from many faiths, including
Calvary Fellowship, Mars Hill, Presbyterian, Foursquare,
Lutheran, Baptist and Catholic churches."
-------------------------------------------------------
MANASSAS, VIRGINIA
------------------------------------------------------- I recently had an opportunity to pray with the 40 Days
for Life team at their vigil site in Manassas, Virginia. While we were praying, we were visited by a news team
from the Christian Broadcasting Network. They produced
a short feature on the campaign for The 700 Club and
other CBN programs. Since some media reports haven't presented an accurate
representation of what 40 Days for Life is all about,
this coverage was most welcome indeed! For a link to the CBN video, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1947
Today's devotional is from Rev. Clenard Childress of
Life Education and Resources Network.
------------------------------------------------------
DAY 30 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ Let us pray that pastors may not be distracted from
the priority of caring for human lives.
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ In those days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplying, there arose a complaint against the
Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were
neglected in the daily distribution. -- Acts 6:1
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
------------------------------------------------------ More folks learning left some yearning. It is the dawning of a new day. There is much
excitement in Jerusalem. Many who dedicated themselves
to the faith became disciples (the word disciple means
"learner"). The unprecedented church growth was miraculous and
undoubtedly brought much satisfaction to the new
leadership. The apostles, however, were about to
experience growing pains in their master plan of
evangelism. Projects that engage the community, especially those
that are evangelistic in nature, are high on the list
of priorities for every duty-bound pastor. Church attendance is a constant concern for every
pastor and often his or her worth is measured by it.
Unfortunately, just as the original twelve pastors in
Acts, they can be so focused on getting people in that
they inadvertently end up pushing some people out. Murmuring is a deplorable deterrent to a harmonious
fellowship, yet God used it to get the disciples
attention. Those that needed daily attention due to
their age and social status were being neglected. This neglect of the Hellenist widows during the daily
distribution of food was causing undue grief and
needed to be corrected by the leadership. By God's
grace the problem was dealt with, but the lesson
remains. And during these 40 days, let us pray that today's
church not make the same mistake of forgetting the
contributions of our seniors, or the needs of the
weakest among us, the unborn.
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ Father, in the Church's desire to engage our
communities with the Gospel let her not disengage from
those who need their care and company the most. Let us gain wisdom from those who have gone before us
and cherish their experiences and perspectives. Help
us to appreciate every soul in the body of Christ and
minister properly to everybody. Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2011day30print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ Yours for Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: What's new with 40 Days for Life in your community?
Please share your story by replying to today's blog at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1947
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
I've seen more and more priests, pastors and clergy
than ever before! It is VERY encouraging to see our clergy leading by
example -- especially when it can be unpopular. I want to thank all the pastors who've taken the time
to encourage their congregations to pray for an end to
abortion -- and even gone out to the abortion centers
themselves.
-------------------------------------------------------
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
------------------------------------------------------- The Knights of Columbus in Alabama sent along a photo
of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Huntsville. The picture shows Bishop David Foley leading the prayers
-- in the pouring rain -- as he and other participants
huddled under their umbrellas. Bishop Foley said he'd
be back to pray again ... and the Knights are praying
for better weather next time. "Let's keep the momentum going," said Jim, on behalf of
the Knights of Columbus in Alabama, "and continue to
support our clergy as they lead us in peaceful prayer
to save the lives of the most innocent among us -- the
babes in their mothers' wombs -- and help save the
mother from the trauma of abortion!" To see the photo of the Huntsville 40 Days for Life
vigil, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1947
-------------------------------------------------------
NORTH SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
------------------------------------------------------- The 40 Days for Life team in North Seattle had some
company recently -- a couple of young men with a sign
that said "Honk 4 Freedom." One of the guys was wearing
an American flag as a cape. Patriots? Well, not exactly. "These men are apparently trying to wrap their message
about the 'freedom' to choose abortion in the good
freedoms of America," said Della, the 40 Days for Life
coordinator. "Many who honked probably did so out of
love of country, not even knowing the men were seeking
support for abortion." Periodically, after a loud series of honks, they would
yell, "Haven't you heard enough? Go home, losers!" "It seems they think our pro-life beliefs are based on
what everyone else thinks," Della said. "They call us
losers because they think we lost the popularity contest." Still, she said, the prayer team's efforts are noticed
and appreciated. A man arrived at the vigil with a jug
of hot coffee and a dozen pastries. "He said he'd been
seeing us there day after day," Della said. "He said he
could not do what we do, but he was thankful we are
there and wanted to encourage us." To see some photos of the North Seattle vigil, please
go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1947
"Our vigil in North Seattle brings Bible-believing
people of many faiths and religious practices together
to pray at one sad site where abortions occur," said
Della. "We are individuals from many faiths, including
Calvary Fellowship, Mars Hill, Presbyterian, Foursquare,
Lutheran, Baptist and Catholic churches."
-------------------------------------------------------
MANASSAS, VIRGINIA
------------------------------------------------------- I recently had an opportunity to pray with the 40 Days
for Life team at their vigil site in Manassas, Virginia. While we were praying, we were visited by a news team
from the Christian Broadcasting Network. They produced
a short feature on the campaign for The 700 Club and
other CBN programs. Since some media reports haven't presented an accurate
representation of what 40 Days for Life is all about,
this coverage was most welcome indeed! For a link to the CBN video, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1947
Today's devotional is from Rev. Clenard Childress of
Life Education and Resources Network.
------------------------------------------------------
DAY 30 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ Let us pray that pastors may not be distracted from
the priority of caring for human lives.
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ In those days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplying, there arose a complaint against the
Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were
neglected in the daily distribution. -- Acts 6:1
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
------------------------------------------------------ More folks learning left some yearning. It is the dawning of a new day. There is much
excitement in Jerusalem. Many who dedicated themselves
to the faith became disciples (the word disciple means
"learner"). The unprecedented church growth was miraculous and
undoubtedly brought much satisfaction to the new
leadership. The apostles, however, were about to
experience growing pains in their master plan of
evangelism. Projects that engage the community, especially those
that are evangelistic in nature, are high on the list
of priorities for every duty-bound pastor. Church attendance is a constant concern for every
pastor and often his or her worth is measured by it.
Unfortunately, just as the original twelve pastors in
Acts, they can be so focused on getting people in that
they inadvertently end up pushing some people out. Murmuring is a deplorable deterrent to a harmonious
fellowship, yet God used it to get the disciples
attention. Those that needed daily attention due to
their age and social status were being neglected. This neglect of the Hellenist widows during the daily
distribution of food was causing undue grief and
needed to be corrected by the leadership. By God's
grace the problem was dealt with, but the lesson
remains. And during these 40 days, let us pray that today's
church not make the same mistake of forgetting the
contributions of our seniors, or the needs of the
weakest among us, the unborn.
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ Father, in the Church's desire to engage our
communities with the Gospel let her not disengage from
those who need their care and company the most. Let us gain wisdom from those who have gone before us
and cherish their experiences and perspectives. Help
us to appreciate every soul in the body of Christ and
minister properly to everybody. Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2011day30print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ Yours for Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: What's new with 40 Days for Life in your community?
Please share your story by replying to today's blog at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1947
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
