Dear Deacon, As we mark the second-to-last day of this 40 Days for
Life campaign, I want to personally thank you for all
of your sacrifices, large and small, since this effort
began on March 9. I saw a quote this week from Archbishop Charles Chaput
of Denver, who recently prayed at the 40 Days for Life
campaign in Boulder. His words sum up the importance
of EVERYTHING you're doing. "Nothing we do to defend the human person, no matter
how small, is ever unfruitful or forgotten. Our actions
touch other lives and move other hearts in ways we can
never fully understand in this world," said Archbishop
Chaput. "Don't ever underestimate the beauty and power
of the witness you give in your pro-life work." Amen!
-------------------------------------------------------
BOULDER, COLORADO
------------------------------------------------------- Archbishop Chaput was one of a number of clergymen who
took part in a special day of prayer at the abortion
center in Boulder where 40 Days for Life is currently
in progress. Members of the Boulder team say about 120 people
participated, including many who were attending their
first-ever pro-life event. The mood was uplifting and
the responses mostly positive. On another day recently, two volunteers were praying
when a woman in her mid-20s walked out of the abortion
center -- in tears. She walked over to the people praying and said, "Don't
worry! I didn't get an abortion." To see some pictures of the large prayer rally in
Boulder, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2085
-------------------------------------------------------
MISSOULA, MONTANA
------------------------------------------------------- The Missoula vigil coordinator and two other 40 Days
for Life volunteers were praying outside the abortion
center when a car pulled up. A couple was seated in the front, and their children
were in the back. The mother spoke to the prayer
volunteers in a somewhat abrupt manner. "I'm pro-choice," she said. "Why should I be pro-life?" The vigil participants answered, covering many points.
But the woman didn't seem convinced. So the vigil coordinator asked her, "May I pray with
you?" She answered "yes," and they prayed. One of the others then offered the woman information
about the local pregnancy resource center, which she took. The prayers must have had an effect. "Choice might be fine for someone else," the woman said.
"But I'm keeping my baby." To see a picture of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
Missoula, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2085
-------------------------------------------------------
FOREST GROVE, OREGON
------------------------------------------------------- A young couple drove into the parking lot at the
abortion center that's the location of the 40 Days
for Life vigil in Forest Grove. They didn't get out of their car -- they just sat
there. That's often a good sign; they're watching as
people pray, and that can make it more difficult to
actually set foot into the abortion center. The couple started the car, backed out of their parking
space, and drove towards the exit. As they reached the
prayer volunteers, they rolled down the window with the
good news. They smiled and said they would not be having an abortion. "There were expressions of such happiness and relief on
their faces," said one of the volunteers. "Praise God!
Please keep this pair in your prayers as they now follow
the path they have chosen." To see a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Forest
Grove, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2085
If you haven't been to pray at a 40 Days for Life vigil
yet, today's a GREAT day! Saturday is often the busiest
day of the week at abortion centers, so your prayers
are especially needed TODAY! To find the 40 Days for Life vigil nearest you, 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.
------------------------------------------------------
DAY 39 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ Pray that volunteers will replace exhaustion or
discouragement with rejoicing over the miracles we
have seen thus far, and enthusiastic service as
God takes us on to victory!
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a
little while, if need be, you have been grieved by
various trials, that the genuineness of your
faith, being much more precious than gold that
perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be
found to praise, honor, and glory at the
revelation of Jesus Christ. -- 1 Peter 1:6-7
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
------------------------------------------------------ We have reason to rejoice when we consider the
many babies whose lives have been saved during the
40 Days for Life campaign. Add to those lives, the women and men who have
been spared from a devastating decision and now
have opportunity to make a plan for their baby
that is both life affirming and God honoring. Whether directly, or indirectly, you have
contributed to these testimonies of praise with
your sacrificial service. Perhaps you have been grieved by various trials
during your commitment to 40 days. The attacks of the enemy come in many forms --
difficulties in relationships, finances, health. Or maybe you are physically and mentally exhausted
and have been marking off the days on your
calendar, eagerly waiting for April 5. Consider these trials in light of God's plan for
you. The Apostle Paul understood the big picture when
he said in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed
in us." This is our Hope and our victory. Let us rejoice
in the opportunity to give that Hope to others in
our path.
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ Dear Heavenly Father, we sing to You a new song,
for You have done marvelous things. Forgive us
when we allow circumstances to defeat us. You give
power to the faint and You increase strength in
those who have no might. We rest in You, dear Lord, and ask You to empower
us again for Your service as You work out Your
plan for us and through us. May You receive glory through our victory in
Christ, in whose name we pray, Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2011day39print.pdf ------------------------------------------------------
To ensure that this 40 Days for Life finishes strong,
if there is any way you can carve out one extra hour
this weekend to go pray outside the nearest abortion
facility ... it could make a world of difference. Who knows? God might even use you to help save a life! Yours for Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: Have you prayed at an abortion facility for the
first time during this 40 Days for Life campaign?
If so, please share your experiences by responding to
today's blog entry at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2085
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
