Dear Deacon, I just returned from a first-time 40 Days for Life
campaign that is having a HUGE impact!
-------------------------------------------------------
SHERMAN, TEXAS
------------------------------------------------------- This campaign location has had its fair share of
persecution -- and I saw it, just as people were driving
by their busy location and seeing the prayerful presence. To see a photo of 40 Days for Life in Sherman, please
go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2026
With just a few days left in the spring campaign, let us
remember that when you get right down to it, abortion is
a spiritual battle. The idea of taking the life of an innocent human being
under the guise of compassion, choice or "reproductive
rights" could have only been devised by Satan himself. We know of Christ’s love for women and their children.
We also know that in the end, life wins. Over these last few days, let us persevere -- and "put
on the full armor of God," as Paul tells us -- and know
that victory is assured!
-------------------------------------------------------
CALGARY, ALBERTA
------------------------------------------------------- Prayer volunteers at the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Calgary watched as a couple arrived at the abortion
center. The woman got out at the door. As the man
parked the car, he noticed a vigil participant's sign
with information about adoption. The man was stunned. "All my wife and I ever discussed
was parenting or abortion," he said. "We had no idea
adoption is an option." He then told his story. He and his wife had two
daughters and had found out their third child was also
a girl. "I know it's a sin," he said, "but I just can't
have another girl. You have no idea how difficult it is
to raise girls in this society!" A volunteer asked if he would take the life of his
already-born girls to solve that problem. That made
him think. While vigil participants prayed, he went
into the building to talk to his wife. Fifteen minutes later he returned. Shaking his head,
with despair in his eyes, he said, "I'm so sorry. I'm
so sorry. I really tried. But she won't give her child
to a stranger!" He turned around, fled to his vehicle
and sped away. "My heart still hurts when I think how close we were
to saving this little girl's life," said one of the
volunteers. "Yet God's ways are higher than ours."
-------------------------------------------------------
TACOMA, WASHINGTON
------------------------------------------------------- John had been looking for signs of encouragement in
Tacoma -- and he finally got a BIG one. The Planned
Parenthood location where the 40 Days for Life vigil
is going on in Tacoma was CLOSED four days recently --
including two Tuesdays, which are abortion days. "We have seen averages of up to 40 to 50 lives lost on
these days," he said. "We have NEVER seen them close"
on an abortion day. Then on a Thursday -- another abortion day -- they were
closed again. But the parking lot was full of staff
members' cars -- and John said it looked like people
from other Planned Parenthood locations were there as
well. That morning, 11 people turned out to pray --
more than anyone ever expected. "The sign on the locked door said they are closed for
computer upgrades," John said. "This may be, but it is
clear that God is at work here." Planned Parenthood was closed -- in the middle of
40 Days for Life. Eleven people showed up "out of the
blue" to pray. And one of them even brought flowers,
which the volunteers gave to women who were surprised
by the abortion center's locked doors. "The lesson learned was that we are engaged in a fierce
spiritual battle," he said. "God is sovereign and in
control ... and we can only guess and the large number
of lives that were spared." To see some photos of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Tacoma, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2026
Today's devotional is from Carmen Pate, a member of
the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
------------------------------------------------------
DAY 35 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ Pray that all believers participating in this 40 Days
for Life campaign will make every effort to keep the
unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace
(Ephesians 4:3).
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ And the glory which You gave Me, I have given them,
that they may be one just as We are one: I in them,
and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one,
and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and
have loved them as You have loved Me. -- John 17:22-23
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, Point of View
------------------------------------------------------ Christ prayed that all those who would believe in Him
would be united in single purpose and spirit, just as
He and the Father were united. I find it convicting to consider that those who would
run to Jesus with their sins, seeking forgiveness, and
falling in love with the Savior, often run from
Christians today. Is it because they see division and dissension instead
of unity and peace? No doubt Christ is pleased to see the body unified and
praying together during these 40 days. This is exactly what we see when we read about the
beginnings of the church. Both the unity and the
prayer are conspicuous, along with the results of
unified prayer. Acts 2:46-47 tells us, "So continuing daily with one
accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to
house, they ate their food with gladness and
simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor
with all the people. And the Lord added to the church
daily those who were being saved." No doubt the enemy is disheartened to see the unity in
prayer, fasting and peaceful vigil, and he will
continuously try to disrupt the bond of peace among
brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us guard our hearts and minds, exhibiting the love
of Christ that He so graciously gives us, so that
those watching will see the love among us and know
that He must love them too!
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ Heavenly Father, give us grace in every situation to
work toward unity. With humility, gentleness, and
patience, may we endeavor to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace. There are hurting men and women Lord at the crossroads
of life and death who are looking for love and peace
in their lives. May they see Christ in us and be drawn to the abundant
life that only He can give. It is in Christ's precious
name that we pray, Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2011day35print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ Yours for Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: If you have stories to share about the 40 Days
for Life campaign in your area, please respond to
today's blog entry at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2026
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
