Dear Deacon, It's just the first day of the 40 Days for Life
campaign ... and I've already got great news to share!
Let's get right to it.
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COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
----------------------------------------------------- The 40 Days for Life team in Columbia holds its vigils
outside a Planned Parenthood center that is the only
abortion location between St. Louis and Kansas City. Last Thursday -- less than a week before the start of
the campaign -- the abortionist quit! This is not the first time this has happened. Planned
Parenthood in Columbia has gone through six different
abortionists during the past two and a half years --
and this facility has gone months at a time with NO
ABORTIONS -- including times DURING 40 Days for Life
campaigns. "Praise the Lord!" said Kathy in Columbia. "We know
that God will do many miracles these 40 days!" Planned Parenthood is referring women to its facility
in St. Louis, so the prayers will continue in Columbia
-- and in St. Louis as well. To see a photo of the vigil in Columbia, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2246
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ROSARIO, ARGENTINA
----------------------------------------------------- Rosario is one of two cities in Argentina taking part
in 40 Days for Life for the first time. "We have
worked hard in order to adapt it to our culture,"
said Gabriela in Rosario, "maintaining at the same
time the core elements." Argentineans are enthusiastic about praying and
fasting for an end to abortion, she said, "and I
think this will be THE key element of our first-time
campaign." For now, Gabriela said, the goal is to get the word
out. "And God is certainly helping us to achieve
this goal!"
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SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA
----------------------------------------------------- Yesterday, I mentioned 301 locations for this campaign
-- and the importance of another number ... ONE. Right after I wrote that message, I got a campaign
update from Mary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The
subject of her 40 Days for Life e-mail? "The power
of one." "David, when he went up against the giant Goliath,
was one of the least likely ones to stand a chance,"
Mary wrote. "But he had faith in God! He had five
smooth stones. And with God, it only took him ONE!" The Sioux Falls update closes with an invitation,
which I now extend to YOU! Do you want to make a difference to end abortion over
these next 40 days? Then ACT! Join the vigil closest to you or call just one person
and ask them if they will join you during 40 Days for
Life. Invite others to get our e-mail updates by
signing up at: http://40daysforlife.com/ ... and please share this e-mail with your friends
and family. Here's today's devotional from David Brandao, the
communications director for 40 Days for Life...
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DAY 1 INTENTION
----------------------------------------------------- That we may use these 40 Days for Life to plead for
God's mercy and grace upon all those involved in the
sin of abortion.
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SCRIPTURE
----------------------------------------------------- Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an
assembly. Gather the people, notify the congregation.
Assemble the elders; gather the children and the
infants at the breast... Let the priests, the
ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare, O Lord,
your people." -- Joel 2:15-17
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REFLECTION by David Brandao, 40 Days for Life
----------------------------------------------------- The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear
estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but
that's only one aspect of the harm that has unfolded
in abortion's wake. There are also the mothers and
fathers of these millions, as well as the
grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles,
cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living
shattered. It's overwhelming and depressing, but even in the
midst of such unfathomable darkness, the church
teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary
that followed Christ's 40 days in the desert, but
without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection
-- His victory over death that opened the gates of
heaven to those who believe in and follow Him. The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as
we seek His will: "A clean heart create for me, O
God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me... Give
me back the joy of your salvation and a willing
spirit sustain in me... O Lord, open my lips, and my
mouth shall proclaim your praise" (Psalm 51:12, 14, 17). We are called to be God's messengers; or as the
Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "We are
ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing
through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be
reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). That is the true message to all we encounter at the
abortion centers and in our communities who have been
deceived by the Culture of Death. We don't bring
condemnation; we bring God's good news.
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PRAYER
----------------------------------------------------- Lord, we ask for the strength, courage, wisdom,
determination and stamina to carry out this mission
according to Your will. Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and proclaim Your
truth, always doing so with a spirit of love and
compassion, as was demonstrated to us by Your Son,
Jesus Christ. In His name 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/fall2011day01print.pdf ----------------------------------------------------- For Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life PS: Here’s the link to the list of locations for this
40 Days for Life campaign: http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
